Laura Devendorf

University of Colorado Boulder, University of California, Berkeley

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Laura Devendorf is a pioneering researcher working at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI), textile design, and sustainable fabrication. Her work bridges the physical and digital worlds, exploring how emerging technologies can be thoughtfully integrated into soft materials and wearable systems. Devendorf's most impactful contribution to date is her 2024 work on Desktop Biofibers Spinning, which garnered 33 citations and introduced an open-source machine enabling designers and researchers to explore biobased fibers for sustainable smart textile development. This work directly confronts the mounting environmental challenges posed by electronic textiles, which combine two already significant waste streams, offering a provocative and practical path toward greener interactive systems. Her earlier work on CrossFAB (2016) helped situate personal fabrication within a broader interdisciplinary conversation, advocating for stronger connections between HCI and related fields like computer graphics. Across her research, Devendorf demonstrates a consistent commitment to democratizing fabrication tools and challenging the field to consider sustainability alongside innovation. Her scholarship is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of wearable technology, craft-based computing, and responsible design practice.