A method of making a liquid crystal device is provided, the method comprising (i) providing a cell containing a mixture of a liquid crystal and pre-polymer (ii) applying a stimulus to arrange the liquid crystal in a first predetermined state and (iii) subsequent to, or contemporaneously with, step (ii), causing the pre-polymer to form polymer when the liquid crystal is in a second predetermined state, wherein steps (ii) and (iii) are performed a plurality of times.