A Study on the Visual Expression and Graphic Design of Functional Textile Performance Data

Lina Yang

Article
2026 / Volume 9 / Pages 703-716
Received 12 August 2025; Accepted 12 September 2025; Published 26 March 2026
https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2026.703

Abstract
The modern textile industry relies on engineering materials, from natural fibers like cotton and wool to advanced synthetics, to deliver specific functionalities. The performance characteristics of these materials, determined by factors including yarn properties, weaving or knitting structures, and finishing chemical operations, are critical to their value. However, the complex physicochemical data from laboratory tests is often poorly communicated, creating a barrier to transparency for consumers and designers. This communication gap is also prevalent for high-performance materials such as technical leather, where performance metrics are key. This research addresses this challenge by studying the visual expression and graphic design of performance data for textiles. It establishes a design methodology rooted in materials science principles and textile technology standards (ISO, AATCC), analyzing how data from textile testing machinery can be transformed into intuitive graphics. Through case studies on visualizing properties relevant to both synthetic and natural fibers, the paper develops and evaluates visual systems, including a novel “functional textile performance quad” (FTPQ) framework. The study argues that adopting a standardized, clear visual language would be a crucial step towards sustainable development in the textile industry. It enhances transparency, empowers informed product selection, and allows for the effective validation of high-performance, durable fiber products, providing actionable guidelines for the textile products and processing sector.

Keywords
functional textiles, data visualization, textile industry, sustainable development, natural fibers