Our broad-based skillset focuses on creative technologies and textile materials explored through historical and 
cultural contexts. Embracing collaboration, we intentionally engage in experimental techniques in both the physical and digital realms, frequently intertwined.

Specialities

  • We are experts in electronic textiles or eTextiles. By embedding electronics and electrical circuits into textiles using conductive fabrics, yarns, threads, and other materials through craft, fabrication, or industrial techniques, we design and create functional eTextiles through the blending of soft goods and electronics.

  • Specializing in both temporary and permanent installations, we blend materials, technology, and space to create visually captivating environments for a wide range of educational and cultural institutions and public spaces.

  • We specialize in customized technology systems by developing bespoke software and hardware, including web development, visualizations, physical computing, VR/AR, and more.

  • We design, fabricate, manipulate, 
and embellish with a variety of craft techniques, such as weaving, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and natural and synthetic dyes. We create material utilizing traditional and industrial-scale tools alike. 
We regularly employ digital design strategies.

Our core specialties are blended into our work.

etextile_craftwork.png
textile_craftwork.png
hardware_craftwork.png
installation_craftwork.png

Let’s work together!

  • At Craftwork, we collaborate with cultural institutions, clients, and companies to create bespoke installations. Our expertise guarantees the creation and design of unique installations for any setting, all while maintaining our dedication to quality.

  • We specialize in the concept, design, and fabrication of a wide range of ideas, from interactive installations to wearable technology to soft interfaces, bringing new modes of computational experiences to tangible reality through a lens of storytelling.

  • We approach every project as an opportunity to research concepts and ideas through a material driven approach. Our studio is constantly experimenting and prototyping to create diverse and expressive forms.

  • We offer the versatility to showcase our creations in any location imaginable, from restaurants to parks to events to galleries —no venue is too unconventional. Please get in touch to explore how our existing work would complement your space.

craftwork_studio.png
craftwork_ancient_futures.png
craftwork_DM.png
craftwork_algo_textures.png

Their backgrounds span art, architecture, academia, design, engineering, museums, research, technology and science. Combining historical fascination with forward-looking materiality, their skills in traditional textile crafts with emerging technologies bring together large-scale, dynamic projects with a variety of partners and contributors.

With a combined more than 20 years of experience, Victoria and Nicole founded Craftwork in 2022.


Nicole Yi Messier

Nicole Yi Messier, co-founder of Craftwork, is a creative technologist, designer, and artist with a focus on storytelling, community, and installations. She creates expressive, soft, and tangible technological interfaces through digital mediums and experimental craft techniques. With an unconventional creative technology practice that spans commercial and cultural sectors, Messier is a creative with a passion for constructing beautifully orchestrated objects and designs at the core of her experiences. She has worked in the interactive experiential space helping create large-scale, multi-year installations for both commercial and cultural clients. Her work has been shown and exhibited internationally.


Victoria Manganiello

Victoria Manganiello, co-founder of Craftwork, is an artist, designer, organizer, and educator. Victoria has received multiple international, recognized grants, awards, commissions, and residency appointments. Her artwork is included in private and institutional art collections around the globe and she has  exhibited across the USA and Europe as well as South Korea and Australia. With more than 10 years of experience in academia, she holds various adjunct professor positions in New York and has been a visiting lecturer and critic at numerous prestigious universities around the world. Victoria is a board member for “Intertwine Arts” which serves people with disabilities and chronic illness through arts therapy. She is well-known in the craft community as an accomplished artist and innovative storyteller and facilitates many socially engaged projects in collaboration with other artists, designers and educators. 

Victoria and Nicole are both part of the organizer team of electronic textile camp and teach at Parsons School of Design and New York University.