Who we are
Alan Shaw BA Hons Printed Textiles, MDes Printed Textiles
Industry Coordinator
Alan Shaw was born in Ballymoney, N.Ireland and studied textiles at Glasgow School of Art. During his MDes, Alan spent five months working at Coats Viyella where he worked on Stork TCP printers and the initial trialling of the Stork Amethyst production printer. The resulting new knowledge was used to showcase his collection of interior prints. On completion of his MDes Alan took up a post at GSA, compiling technical research for the successful SHEFC funding application. This resulted in the Centre for Advanced Textiles (CAT) being established in 2000.
Alan’s role involves collaborative research, textile consultancy and management of the Centre’s commercial activity. His research interests include investigating the role of facilitating designers/makers to integrate digital technology into their practice, helping to address perceptions of the technology and transferring acquired knowledge and skills.
Before working at CAT, Alan spent four years with Glasgow textile printing firm Timorous Beasties overseeing print production and finishing. He has lectured at various Scottish colleges and continues to design and produce textiles on a freelance basis.
Vicky Begg B Des (Hons) Printed Textiles, MA Textile Design
Bureau Coordinator
Vicky attained her B Des (Hons) in Printed Textiles from Duncan of Jordanstone College in 1995 and her MA Textile Design from Winchester School of Art in 1996. Her Masters level research focused on the use of reflective printing pigments in disperse dyes for sportswear. Initially a Printed Textiles Lecturer on the BA (Hons) European Textile Design course at Bradford college, Vicky became the Course Tutor overseeing all aspects of the course from design to foreign languages. In 1999, through maintaining cose links with industry whilst at Bradford College, Vicky went on to establish one of the UK’s first digital fabric printing services with RA Smart Ltd.
The Fabric Printing Bureau operated under Vicky’s Directorship until 2002 serving a vast array of clients in design and design related industries, from haute couture to exhibition design. In May 2002, Vicky joined the Centre for Advanced Textiles as Bureau Co-ordinator to consolidate her expertise with that of Alan Shaw and the CAT team, in promoting the digital fabric printing technology as a commercial, educational and research facility.
Andy McDonald MEng Dip/Man MAnufacturing Sciences
PhD Student
Andy McDonald graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2005 with a Masters in Manufacturing Sciences Engineering (with a Diploma in Management). Having been awarded a sponsorship from IBM, he completed four industrial placements over the course of his degree. During his time with IBM, Andy became increasingly interested in the role of software within the manufacturing industry – in particular, how web-based systems could be used to achieve mass customisation. Subsequently Andy’s final year dissertation saw him develop a business model which enabled the design and manufacture of customised t-shirts through an online interface.
Since graduating, Andy has continued to develop his concept, in line with the social trends which are emerging online. In October 2006, Andy joined CAT to begin his PhD research which explores how web-based interface technologies can be used in conjunction with existing digital design and production methods, to deliver an accessible and sustainable model for the textile industry – an alternative mode of enterprise which better reflects the changing dynamics of modern society. In recognition of his innovative work Andy was awarded a GSA Research Studentship to help fund his project.
Laura Boomer B Des (Hons) Textile Design, MDes Textiles as Fashion
Bureau Assistant
Laura joined The Centre for Advanced Textiles in June 2009 as the centre’s administrator.
Prior to her role at CAT, Laura gained her MDes textiles as Fashion and her BA Hons in textiles at The Glasgow School of Art. Laura also studied at Cardonald College where she completed an HND in stitched textiles and fashion.
As well as working at CAT, Laura works as a textiles tutor for South Lanarkshire Council and also as a coordinator for an events company.
