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Teaching is a reflective and on-going process. In facing the emerging technologies today, one may find that they are rapidly changing

the way we live and communicate.

They are also impacting the way

young talents learn new knowledge and skills.

In the rapidly changing industry,

it is also important to encourage 

reflective and critical thinking in

students' problem-solving and design approaches.

Interdisciplinary Design Collaboration

An interdisciplinary collaboration between apparel and interior design undergraduate students. Engineered prints were developed based on indigenous culture and applied in both wearable and home decor products. OptiTex, a 2D/3D CAD/CAD program with 3D simulation, was applied in evaluating digital prints in 3D virtual space. 

 

Learning goal: Students learn to work in team environment and evaluate digital textile designs in products beyond their disciplines. 

 

 

Co-teaching outcome sponsored by OptiTex

Photo credit: Lushan Sun, Rebecca Schneider 

 

 

 

 

Digital Design Presentations 

Computer-aided design applications for undergraduate students in conceptualizing collection, textile design, and developing spec pack.

 

Learning goal: Students learn to apply 2D CAD programs in croquis, garment, and textile rendering. Through reflecting upon their personal aesthetics, students also enhance their skills in developing a balanced composition in presenting various collections. 

 

 

Design credit: Erin William, Abby Griffin, Rebecca Schneider, Amelia Cox, Davis Bryd, Mary Grier

 

 

 

Reflective Design Practices 

Reflective design practice for undergraduate students in design conceptualization, design prototyping, and ePortfolio design and professional development.

 

Learning goal: Students learn to document the design process and reflective thinking using methods like mind mapping. Such an approach allows students to be more conscious of their design workflows and strategies. Contents and artefacts developed in a design journal are used as a critical portfolio element.

 

 

Design credit: Mary Grier, Rebecca Schneider, Alexa Womack

Photo credit: Lushan Sun

 

 

 

 

"I really believe that portfolio taught me the 'why' behind everything I created and it also really instilled me the ability to present my work and myself professionally. Dr. Sun did an exceptional job of making us present our work. I really think being confident in your designs is what gives you assertiveness in this field."  --Alumnus

 

"Dr. Sun has done an exceptional job gearing this critical portfolio course towards industry expectations, while successfully integrating the SLO's of the University's ePortfolio Project within the course."  --Colleague 

​

Dr. Sun "always pushes us in draping and portfolio and I'm so grateful for that." --Undergraduate student

Dr. Sun "really enjoys teaching the class [fashion aesthetics] and understands the information she is teaching and is always well prepared."

--Undergraduate student

 

"I'm so grateful for the personal investment Dr. Sun has made in me and my professional development as a designer!"

--Undergraduate student

 

"Dr. Sun is a truly reflective and involved educator, who uses a variety of approaches related to applied, active, and reflective learning in her classes to enhance the learning outcomes of her students."

--Colleague

 

Design Research Applying Emerging Technologies  

Creative scholarship developments for graduate students. They focus on emerging technology (e.g. 3D printing) integration in the wearable product of different contexts. 

 

Learning goal: Graduate students learn to apply design research methods in developing research questions, technology applications, and data analysis.

 

 

 

 

 

Design credit: Tianyu Cui, Jenny Leigh DuPuis, Tashina Walp, Lushan Sun

Photo credit: Tianyu Cui, Jenny Leigh DuPuis, Greg Curry

Sustainable and Surface Design 

Design explorations for undergraduate students in sustainable, surface design, and special market category using woven, knit and non-woven materials. 

 

Learning goal: Students learn to develop designs and prototypes through research and value-added design elements and approaches.

 

 

​

 

 

Design credit: Emma Riegle, Abby Jardine, Caroline Collier, Rachael Wolfe, Mary Grier,

Christine Cameron, Alaundra Shealey

Photo credit: Caroline Collier, Gregory Curry, Katie Gardner

 

 

  TEACHING EXPERIENCES  

 

Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.

  • ​International Fashion and Textile Design (MA Bilingual) 

  • Final Year Project (BA)

  • Fashion Design (BA)

  • Digital Fashion Presentation (BA)

 

Consumer & Design Sciences, Auburn University, US

  • Portfolio Development for Apparel Designer (BS)

  • CAD for Apparel Design (BS)

  • Apparel Product Development-Patternmaking/Draping (BS)

  • Fashion Aesthetics (BS)

  • Course Development: Advanced Design-Digital Fabrication in Wearable Products (BS/MS) & Special Topics: Design Research Methods (Ph.D.)

 

Textile & Apparel Management, University of Missouri, US

  • Digital Textile & Apparel Application

  • Textile & Apparel Presentation Techniques 

 

Apparel, Textiles & Interior Design, Kansas State University, US

  • GTA: Apparel Production I (Introductory construction) (2010-2011)

​

Graduate Advising

  • 1 Ph.D. (Chief advisor: ongoing)

  • 1 Ph.D. (Co-major advisor: completed)

  • 1 M.S. (Major advisor: completed)

  • 2 M.S. (committee member)

  SKILLS/TECHNOLOGIES TAUGHT   

 

  • 3D CAD: Optitex (CAD/CAM for patternmaking with 3D simulation), Rhino, Fusion 360, 3Ds Max, Google Sketchup, parametric design & NetFabb 

  • 2D CAD: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign

  • Equipment: TC2 3D body scanning system, 3D printer (Fuse Deposition Modeling)

​​

  • Presentation techniques (non-digital/digital media): Fashion illustration, Technical flat development, Presentation board for line development, Trend analysis, Spec pack development

  • Surface design: Digital textile printing (applying repeat & engineered prints), Chinese traditional embroidery (Su Xiu), Natural dye and physical resist dyeing techniques (Shibori)

  • Apparel construction: Patternmaking, Draping, Industrial/home machine sewing

 

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