Digital Apparel Design Process: Placing a New Technology Into a Framework for the Creative Design Process

Abstract

Design methodology and process are studied in different contexts and diverse fields. Designing has the potential to generate new knowledge and is intimately tied to new technologies, such as digital textile printing. These open up a constantly expanding range of creative possibilities, and generate a complex set of decision points for designers. In this paper we show how the design process is impacted and how new products can be created through exploration of the limits and potentials of digital technologies for textile and apparel design. Changes in design approach were analyzed through four design phases with five design projects. The design process was shown to change as various technical problems were evaluated and solved with each successive garment design. What began as a sporadic process that centered on solving sub-problems, evolved to a linear design progression with increased time spent in creative conceptualization.

The process of designing interior textile products & the influence of Design for the Environment (DfE)

“…One key distinction from earlier examinations of design processes related to textiles and apparel is that the present study examined the perspectives of professionals working in the industry, rather than the perspectives of educators or design students (Gam et al, 2009;LaBat and Sokolowski, 1999;Parsons and Campbell, 2004;Lamb andKallal, 1992, Watkins, 1988). Differences in research participants and product focus (textiles vs. apparel) aside, however, accounts of the design process as provided by both conventional and DfEoriented professional designers of interior textiles were, to some degree, consistent with accounts reported in prior research.…”

“…Differences from prior research were revealed with respect to the depth and specificity of considerations noted by participants when addressing individual themes or stages. For example, although prior research on the design process as it relates to textiles and apparel generally includes a stage related to material exploration (Gam et al, 2009;Labat and Sokolowski, 1999;Lamb and Kallal, 1992;Parsons and Campbell, 2004), discussion of the specific activities and decision-making at this stage is somewhat limited. In this study, when participants addressed creative exploration, they frequently spoke to the importance of multiple product qualities (e.g., aesthetics, performance, environmental impact) that guide material selection and how these qualities impact final design decisions.…”

Jacquard pattern optimizing in weft knitted fabrics via interactive genetic algorithm

“…Unlike scientific inquiry, to which design methodology has sometimes been compared, design is about innovation rather than an interrogation into the nature of what exists (Parsons and Campbell 2004).…”

Digital Dilemma

“…The images travel flawlessly over the seams the same way digital images are manipulated (Parsons & Campbell, 2004). The collaged pattern pieces were then scanned into Photoshop and placed on the fabric marker in Illustrator.…”