Design and Product Development

Exploring Clinical Use of Apparel Design Activities: Enhancing Spatial Ability Through Virtual Apparel Pattern-making

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Abstract

Pattern-making activities have great potential to act as an effective means to enhance spatial abilities of individuals. This is because the ability to visualize a garment (e.g., how it will fit and move on a 3D body) is a vital step of the apparel construction. In addition, the use of virtual technology has recently gained traction as an attractive tool in enhancing cognitive skills of patients – such as Alzheimer Disease’s patients. Therefore, virtual pattern-making activities can stimulate the minds of individuals with spatial ability impairment in the direction to enhance that ability. However, no prior study has utilized the apparel design concepts as a clinical method for individuals with spatial ability impairment. Therefore, this study will expand the dimension of apparel design discipline to the clinical area and provide innovative insights to the apparel, clinical, and psychological fields.

Keywords: virtual technology, pattern-making, apparel design, spatial abilities

How to Cite:

Min, S. & Chang, H. J., (2019) “Exploring Clinical Use of Apparel Design Activities: Enhancing Spatial Ability Through Virtual Apparel Pattern-making”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 76(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.12257