The Unstable Design Lab is recruiting PhD students to begin in Fall 2027 to support two grants focusing on topics that include:
- Developing computer-aided design and computational design systems for woven textiles
- Researching documentation formats and interactive instructional guides for human-machine collaboration
- Open-source community and governance structures with a focus on bridging craft and computing communities.
- Research and development of woven structures and prototypes that integrate electronics and/or biomaterials.
The Unstable Design Lab is an interdisciplinary research lab in the ATLAS Institute and the University of Colorado Boulder where students from multiple campus departments work side-by-side performing research activities. All prospective lab members must be collaborative and bring a sense of mutual respect for different methodologies spanning engineering, science technology studies, design research, craft. We are open to students with a variety of backgrounds, including a prior MFA in art and design, industry experience, or formal training in computer science. The lab has deep ties into the “experimental weaving” community through the ongoing research and development of the AdaCAD software, Experimental Weaving Residency and talk series. While we do not require applicants to be weavers, training in weaving is certainly helpful!
Students interested in these PhD would be advised or co-advised by Laura Devendorf, and can apply through two University of Colorado, Boulder Programs: ATLAS Institute, Department of Information Science. The specific requirements of the PhD and expectations vary with the different programs, so it is in the best interest prospective applicants to carefully review the requirements of each program before choosing where to apply. Including the lab directors name, Laura Devendorf, in the application will flag your application for our review.
Please send non-AI generated inquiries to laura.devendorf@colorado.edu. We will not have time to talk with every potential applicant, but introducing yourself, your practice, and your interest and goals for PhD study can be helpful to make us aware of your interest.