Dr Dilusha Rajapakse
Research Interests
Dilusha’s multi-disciplinary practice-based research investigates the potential of fusing existing textile design practices with emerging material and technologies for the development of dynamic textiles. He has extensive research experience in the area of smart photochromic textiles, where he exploits new approaches to integrate animated colour and pattern changing aesthetics onto fabrics without compromising core textile characteristics. Moreover, Dilusha is also interested in conducting research that contributes to the following areas:
- New design approaches for developing interactive and smart textiles
- Innovation in printed textile design
- Digital fashion and textiles
- Cultural textiles, craft and design processes
Current research project
Title: Documenting aesthetic and functional properties of printed photochromic textiles
Fully flexible multi-colour and pattern changing photochromic textiles can be used to add value to products developed within the areas of fashion clothing, camouflage outfits for military, responsive accessories, interior decorations or textile artefacts (interactive smart displays, electronically controllable textile hangings or artefacts) for public spaces. In order to develop products and propose new application scenarios, it will be important to understand the colour fastness properties associated with photochromic textiles. Collaborating with external research organisations, this project aims to identify research approaches and quantify the stability of photochromic colour change effects on different textile substrates.
Peer reviewed research papers & book chapters
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2020. Expression Changing Printed Photochromic Textiles. In: E. KARANA, V. ROGNOLI, and O. PEDGLEY, eds. Materials Experience (Around the Corner Section), 2nd Volume: Elsevier – (Forthcoming).
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2020. Exploring flatbed screen printing as a method of applying dynamic photochromic aesthetics on textile surfaces. In: International Conference on Clothing and Textiles. Paradise Hotel, Busan, Korea. 21 – 23 May 2020 – (Accepted)
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2019. An Investigation of the Activation of Multi-Colour Changing Photochromic Textiles. Journal of Textiles and Engineer, 26(114), pp.196–208.
RAJAPAKSE, D., BRIGGS-GOODE, A. and DIAS, T., 2015. Electronically controllable colour changing textile design. In: V. POPOVIC, A. BLACKLER, L. DING-BANG, N. NIMKULRAT, B. KRAAL and Y. NAGAI, eds., IASDR Interplay 2015 Proceedings. Brisbane, Australia, 2 – 5 November 2015. IASDR (The International Association of Societies of Design Research), pp. 1743-1759. ISBN 9780646943183.
RAJAPAKSE, D., BRIGGS-GOODE, A. and DIAS, T., 2014. Development of a design centred approach for smart colour changeable textile design. In: Transition: Rethinking textiles and surfaces conference proceedings. The University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom, 26 – 27 November 2014. ISBN: 978-1-86218-127-4
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2014. An investigation of the aesthetics and technologies of colour changeable textile design. In: Making an impact with research, Proceedings of 7th Annual Manchester Metropolitan University Postgraduate Research Conference. Manchester Metropolitan University, Business School, Manchester, United Kingdom, 4 November 2014. ISBN 978-1-910029-07-7
Selected presentations, exhibitions and workshops
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2018. Beyond pattern and chaos: Multicolour and pattern changing Textiles (Exhibition). In: Pattern & chaos research symposium 2018. Norwich University of the Arts, United Kingdom, 5 September 2018.
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2018. Identification of a screen print approach for the application of multicolour and pattern changing photochromic effects (Poster). In: The 91st Textile Institute World Conference 2018. University of Leeds, UK. 23 – 26 July 2018.
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2015. Design methodology for colour change prints. In: Arcintex research symposium 2015. Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, 26 February 2015.
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2015. Aesthetics codes and colour change prints (Workshop). In: Arcintex research symposium 2015. Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, 23 – 25 February 2015.
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2013. Now you see it; Now you don’t. In: FTC (Association of Fashion and Textile Courses) symposium 2015. Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, 2 May 2013.
RAJAPAKSE, D., 2010. Plastic Sun: MA Digital Fashion Collection (Exhibition). In: Masters 10’. London College of Fashion, UAL, United Kingdom, 2010.
Lecturer in Printed Textile Design
Researcher: Active Colour and Dynamic Textiles
Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
Birmingham Institute of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles
Birmingham City University
Parkside Building
5 Cardigan Street
Birmingham B4 7BD
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 121 331 5827
E: dilusha.rajapakse@bcu.ac.uk
