Digicrafted, London (UK)

Digicrafted is a material-led design project created by Laura. It explores how digital design and 3D-printed elements can work alongside detailed hand-finishing to build flexible textile structures with depth and movement. The project looks at new ways to develop flexible, tactile surfaces and make digital outcomes feel more human through a thoughtful blend of digital and physical processes.

3D printing opens the door to complex geometries and structures that can’t be produced through standard textile methods. But these advantages often come with a downside, as the results can lean towards a uniform, machine-made look. This is especially true in 3D-printed textiles, where many experiments focus on technical feasibility rather than textile behaviour or visual softness.

The challenge was to push beyond this default aesthetic and find ways to introduce tactility, variation and a more familiar material quality into digitally produced surfaces. To do this, the work needed to test how detailed hand-finishing could redirect rigid printed forms and introduce more expression into additive structures.

Through this iterative work, the project formed a clear design language that balanced digital precision with a more tactile, human quality.

Digicrafted received significant international recognition and was showcased at major exhibitions across Asia, Europe and the US. The work was presented at events including Maker Faire Xi’an, Hello Shenzhen Showcase, Maker Pro—INDUSTRY Barcelona, Made@EU in Plymouth, Craft Industrialism in Leeds, the 3D Printing the Future Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the 3D Printshow Louvre Carrousel in Paris, the Material Change exhibition in London, and the 3D Printshow Metropolitan Pavilion in New York. It was also selected for platforms such as MOOD Innovation Platform Brussels Expo, Crafts Council Design Week Brussels Expo, Interiors UK, and Stylish-Stare di Moda Cannes.

Alongside its exhibition presence, Digicrafted was featured in a wide range of print and industry publications. These include MIX Magazine, Material Alchemy, El País, Connex Textil International, Inspiring Cultures, Global Colour Research, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Computational Couture, Insight, Trend Setter, L’Officiel du Design, and the iFABRIC European Talent publication from Audax Textielmuseum in the Netherlands.

This body of recognition positioned Digicrafted as a notable reference point in discussions about new material systems and emerging approaches to digital fabrication. It contributed to broader exploration into flexible printed components and more expressive digitally produced surfaces.

Averma continues to support clients with digital design and material-led creative work developed through projects such as Digicrafted. From our hub in Horley, Surrey, and locations in Peckham and Hampstead in North London, we support clients locally and internationally with digital design and creative development. If you’d like to discuss how we can support your next project, get in touch.