Soft Surface lab
Other DCART teaching labs
The Soft Surface is a dedicated teaching lab, allowing space and equipment for students to develop and explore soft surface pattern design and making, eco dyeing, bioplastics, eco inks and hand or machine sewing.
Note: Only MDes, Design and Computation Arts students and faculty may use these labs.
What you'll find here
Husquvarna Sewing Machines | Janome Sergers | Juki industrial sewing machine | Cricut Maker 3 | Pattern Making | Bioplastic & Biofoam Construction | Eco Dyes | Eco Inks | Fabrics | Thread | Yarn | Sewing Tools | Hot-Plates and other things to facilitate project construction.
Contact the Soft Surface lab
A dedicated technician manages the space, and is also available by appointment to advise on construction for class projects.
Lab Coordinator
Joelle Collin
softsurface.lab@concordia.ca
Location
EV 7.765 (7th floor)
Hours of operation
Fall 2024
Monday to Friday: TBD
Looking for workshops?
Each semester, the Soft Surface Lab Coordinator offers workshops to CART, DART and MDES students. Workshops include:
- Introduction to Machine Sewing
- Hand sewing and Stitch Patterns
- Sustainable Dyes & Bioplastic Fabrication
A copy of the current workshop schedule is displayed outside the Computation Lab (EV 7.765).
Please send an email to softsurface.lab@concordia.ca for more information.
Book your consultation
Follow our guidelines: plan ahead, and consult with us before you start! The Soft Surface Lab Coordinator will be glad to help you.
Email the lab to book your consultation.
Plan ahead
The Teaching Lab coordinators need to carefully manage their time on various projects, and with both virtual and in-person consultations. To ensure we can assist you promptly, we encourage booking consultations in advance. Project timelines can be unpredictable so start early. We will work together to find the best solution in the time available.
Consult with us before you start
Discuss your project’s scope with your professor and attempt to clarify technical and material requirements. Subsequently:
Students are required to first communicate with their professor directly if they lack specific tools or methodologies for an assignment or don’t understand the requirements.
Students are expected to have attempted the assignment to the best of their ability and completed any required readings, tutorials or complimentary workshops.
Students are expected to have prepared flowcharts, drawings, mock-ups etc., to allow for validation of the material requirements and project scope.
Why a first consultation is beneficial
The purpose of the first consultation with the lab coordinators is to get project communication rolling. The next steps will include further refining the details to enable coordinators to identify the necessary steps and tools.
About this fee
MDes, Design and Computation Arts undergraduate students are required to pay an annual fee of $50. It is recommended that the Departmental Fee be paid within the first month of the fall semester. This fee covers access to DCART Labs, including Sensor, Computation, Visual Communication, Soft Surface, and Documentation Labs. Additionally, it supports the acquisition and maintenance of new or current equipment, along with the replenishment of consumable resources.
How to pay
Payments can be completed online via the Student Hub. Some workshop-based studios may require a minimal materials fee, which will be communicated during the first class. For all other courses, professors will provide a detailed list of required materials to be purchased by the student.
Failure to pay Department Labs Fees will result in the loss of access to DCART teaching labs, and permission to borrow department-owned equipment.