INT323RGH

Cotton is something we use almost every day, even if we do not think about it. We wear cotton t-shirts, jeans, and jackets. We sleep on cotton sheets and use cotton towels after a shower. Cotton is even connected to some of the foods we eat because cottonseed oil is used in products like salad dressings and crackers. It is amazing to think that all of this starts with a small seed planted in the ground. Cotton has been around for thousands of years. Archaeologists have found pieces of cotton cloth that are over 7,000 years old. People have been growing cotton for more than 5,000 years. For a very long time, cotton was processed by hand, which took a lot of hard work. It was not until the early 18th century that the first automated machine was invented to help process cotton. Even then, growing and harvesting cotton was mostly done by hand until the 1950s. Over time, new machines and technology made the process much faster and more efficient. Cotton takes about five to six months to gro...

Textiles are more complex than they look. The way a fabric is made, how it reacts to fire, and how it is tested all affect how it performs in real life. In this post, I will explain three important topics: weaves and knits, burn testing for fiber identification, and fabric testing for strength and durability. Weaving has existed since the early Stone Age, but modern machines have made the process much faster and more advanced. Weaving uses two sets of yarns. The warp yarns run lengthwise, and the weft yarns move back and forth across them. When the weft passes through the warp, the loom pushes the yarns together to form fabric. Industrial looms can move very quickly and produce large amounts of fabric to meet demand. Important parts of the loom include heddles, shafts, and the reed. Heddles control the movement of each warp yarn. The reed keeps the yarns evenly spaced and pushes the weft yarn into place at the “fell of the cloth,” which is the point where yarn becomes fabric. Modern lo...

  The built environment has a large impact on climate change and human health. Buildings, construction, and materials all contribute to carbon emissions and environmental damage. The articles discussed here focus on three organizations that are working to reduce these impacts. Each organization addresses the problem in a different way, but all share the goal of creating healthier and more sustainable buildings. The Carbon Leadership Forum focuses on reducing embodied carbon in buildings and infrastructure. Embodied carbon is the carbon released when building materials are made and when buildings are constructed. This is a growing problem because the amount of building space around the world is expected to double by 2060. This growth is equal to building a city the size of New York City every month for 40 years. Because of this, embodied carbon will make up a large part of future emissions. CLF’s mission is to eliminate embodied carbon in buildings, materials, and infrastructure. Th...

  Material selection is the foundation of every interior design project. The materials chosen to affect how a space looks, feels, functions, and lasts over time. Good material choices help prevent future problems such as damage, safety issues, and high maintenance costs. When materials are selected thoughtfully, they support the design concept while staying within budget and performing well for years. The main goals of material selection are durability, functionality, appearance, and user satisfaction. Materials must be strong enough to handle daily use and wear, especially in high-traffic areas. They also need to match how the space will be used. For example, kitchens and bathrooms require water-resistant surfaces, while living spaces may focus more on comfort and texture. Aesthetic appeal is equally important, as materials help create the desired mood and style of a space. Budget control plays a major role as well, since designers must consider not only the initial cost but also ...

  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a system that supports sustainable design, construction, and building operations. LEED helps reduce environmental impact and encourages healthier and more efficient buildings. LEED certifications are used by professionals who want to show their knowledge of green building practices. LEED offers professional credentials for people at different experience levels. The two main credentials are the LEED Green Associate and the LEED AP with specialty. These credentials show that a person understands sustainability and green building standards. They also help professionals stand out in the green building field. The LEED Green Associate is a basic credential for individuals who are new to green building. There are no prerequisites to take the exam, but some exposure to green building concepts is recommended. The exam focuses on general knowledge of sustainability and LEED practices. The exam costs $250, with lower price...

  Hi, my name is Rebeca. I was born in California, but I grew up in Rockford, IL. Growing up, I always loved making crafts. Since I started school at three years old, all through high school I loved my art classes. I think that started my interest in the creative career of interior design. Once I got older, I really enjoyed the little renovations that we would do in our house. I also loved reorganizing the furniture in my room and finding creative ways to change the aesthetic. When I was an upperclassman in high school, they began asking us what we wanted to study and they had us take a couple career quizzes. Every single quiz result had interior design as an option so I thought it would be a good fit for me. I had heard about interior design from TV shows, so I got really excited that I found a career that helped me be more creative.  I chose to study at Judson University for a couple of reasons. I really wanted to be close to my family. Judson is about 45 minutes away from m...