Katriin Tammoja is a student at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn and participated in the FashionTEX Riga Makerspace 2026. During these two intensive weeks, she deepened her skills in CLO3D and Premiere Pro and focused on creating a unique visual world around a specific garment. At the same time, she experimented with waxed fabrics, laser cutting, AI tools, and video editing. Meeting students and experts from across Europe and having the opportunity to explore new forms of creative expression were particularly significant for her.

Katriin, what new skills or insights did you gain at the Makerspace?

I acquired many new skills in CLO3D and Premiere Pro. However, it was also particularly important for me to learn how to develop a unique visual world and a mood board around a garment, and to think about what I want to express through my work and how I want to communicate it to a wider audience.

Was there a specific moment when you thought, “This is a real ‘aha’ moment”?

I was particularly impressed by Giulia’s work with metal. I was really fascinated by it and would love to cut out a design of my own from metal and experiment with the material myself.

Did you make new contacts with other students or universities at the Makerspace?

Yes, a great many—with both other students and the experts. The international exchange was a key part of the experience for me.

What was the biggest personal challenge you faced while working at the Makerspace—and how did you overcome it?

Creating the creative video was particularly difficult for me; I ran into a few problems along the way. However, with the experts’ support, I was able to solve them and continue developing the project.

What specific insights did you gain while working on your avatar or outfit?

While working on the physical outfit, I particularly enjoyed waxing the fabric and then using a laser to cut a pattern out of it. That was something completely new to me.
With the digital version, on the other hand, I learned a lot about creating realistic textures in CLO3D. I found the connection between physical material experimentation and digital execution especially exciting.

Gab es einen Moment, der Sie besonders überrascht oder inspiriert hat?

I was especially inspired by the possibilities of metalworking. If I had the chance again, I would definitely make use of those workshops and technologies and incorporate them more into my own work.

Mit welchen technischen Hilfsmitteln haben Sie am meisten gearbeitet, und was haben Sie dabei gelernt?

I worked primarily with CLO3D, AI tools, and video editing software. This allowed me to expand my skills in both digital fashion design and the visual presentation of my work.

Which result of your work at the Riga Makerspace are you particularly proud of?

I am particularly proud of the behind-the-scenes videos and their production. That was still relatively new territory for me. While working on them, I gained confidence and realized that I could continue to develop creatively in this area as well.

How do you plan to proceed after the Makerspace?

I couldn’t give a concrete answer to that question immediately after the Makerspace. For now, my priority is to take the many new experiences and skills with me and see how they will influence my future creative work.

Are there any ideas or projects you would like to develop further?

At the moment, I don’t have a specific project I want to develop further. However, I find the possibilities of metalworking particularly exciting, and I could well imagine experimenting with it more intensively in the future.

What was the greatest personal benefit you gained from your time at the Makerspace?

My greatest personal gain was expanding my network and acquiring new skills in CLO3D. At the same time, I met many new people from across Europe—not just contacts, but also new friends.

The atmosphere played a major role in this. The experts and coordinators were open, helpful, and approachable. This created an environment where I felt safe and comfortable, and where I was able to learn effectively.

Photo Credits: Miks Uzans Photography