Barbara Weber

Lecturer

Barbara Weber earned her MFA in textiles from RISD in 1996. After school she moved to New York City and worked for a jacquard woven upholstery mill. It was a combination of watching the looms operate on the mill floor and collaborating with the individuals who each had a hand in the development process that solidified her love of woven cloth. Proficient in handweaving as well as designing for Dobby and Jacquard looms, she has continued to explore textiles and the textile industry by working with mills, editors and more recently, through teaching.

The process of collaboration has been central to Barbara's work as a designer. The studios she has been a part of have given her the opportunity to develop work with creatives inside and outside the field of textiles. Barbara has found that the approach of someone unfamiliar with the materials, tools and constructions used in weaving can expand the way a project develops. She keeps those experiences in mind and tries to impart a sense of discovery and possibility in her approach to new design challenges.

Courses

Fall 2023 Courses

FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01 - TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE
Level Undergraduate
Unit Textiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design Textiles
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01

TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE

Level Undergraduate
Unit Textiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design Textiles
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: M | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Instructor(s): Barbara Weber, Patricia Johnson Location(s): Washington Place, Room 237A Enrolled / Capacity: 24 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This research course focuses on the experimentation with soft materials utilizing techniques of textile construction to create functional furniture with structural integrity. This course will rely on teamwork between Furniture Design and Textile students to take advantage of each other's expertise in furniture making and textile construction. In the beginning of the course students will be introduced to examples of contemporary furniture design, which use soft materials in unconventional ways to create unexpected forms and experiences. Reading will be assigned that covers these contemporary examples in detail. Parallel to this students will be exposed to weaving and knitting techniques, but should also consider other techniques such as crocheting, knotting, basket weaving etc. Students are encouraged to alter these techniques according to their needs to discover unique design solutions. Additionally, students will be introduced to unconventional materials not necessarily associated with furniture to generate innovative results. Substructures constructed out of solid materials can be used to provide rigidity as well as glue/resin to reinforce soft materials. Since this course focuses on material research, students are expected to engage in sustained in-depth inquiry, which should be documented in a meaningful way throughout the entire process.

Offered as TEXT-2523 and FD-2523.

Please contact the department for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday. 
Preference is given to Textiles and Furniture Design Students.
Elective

FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01 - TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE
Level Undergraduate
Unit Textiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design Textiles
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01

TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE

Level Undergraduate
Unit Textiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design Textiles
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: M | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Instructor(s): Barbara Weber, Patricia Johnson Location(s): Washington Place, Room 237A Enrolled / Capacity: 24 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This research course focuses on the experimentation with soft materials utilizing techniques of textile construction to create functional furniture with structural integrity. This course will rely on teamwork between Furniture Design and Textile students to take advantage of each other's expertise in furniture making and textile construction. In the beginning of the course students will be introduced to examples of contemporary furniture design, which use soft materials in unconventional ways to create unexpected forms and experiences. Reading will be assigned that covers these contemporary examples in detail. Parallel to this students will be exposed to weaving and knitting techniques, but should also consider other techniques such as crocheting, knotting, basket weaving etc. Students are encouraged to alter these techniques according to their needs to discover unique design solutions. Additionally, students will be introduced to unconventional materials not necessarily associated with furniture to generate innovative results. Substructures constructed out of solid materials can be used to provide rigidity as well as glue/resin to reinforce soft materials. Since this course focuses on material research, students are expected to engage in sustained in-depth inquiry, which should be documented in a meaningful way throughout the entire process.

Offered as TEXT-2523 and FD-2523.

Please contact the department for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday. 
Preference is given to Textiles and Furniture Design Students.
Elective

Spring 2024 Courses

TEXT 4898-01 - TEXTILE DEGREE PROJECT
Level Undergraduate
Unit Textiles
Subject Textiles
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

TEXT 4898-01

TEXTILE DEGREE PROJECT

Level Undergraduate
Unit Textiles
Subject Textiles
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-02-15 to 2024-05-24
Instructor(s): Amalia Galdona Broche, Anna Gitelson-Kahn, Barbara Weber, Mary Anne Friel Enrolled / Capacity: 30 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

The student's project, designed in consultation with the faculty, can be in one of the textile areas or in combination with other disciplines at the school. The project, which will be evaluated by the faculty and visiting critics at the end of the semester, can entail a collection of designs or fine arts work representing the current conclusive state of student's work or an investigation of a new area. The level of concepts, skills, and commitment constitute a major part of the criteria in the evaluation of the work.

Mid-year graduates should seek department permission to fulfill 9 credits in Fall and Wintersession.

Estimated Cost of Materials: Varies based on use of advanced equipment; additional fees may incur.

Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. This course is a requirement for Senior Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Textiles