Design and Product Development

Implementing a Design Process Framework for the Creation of Sustainable Wearable Art

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Abstract

The purpose of this design research was to create wearable art for sustainable environmental benefit. This design features smocking as the primary fabric manipulation technique to achieve minimal waste throughout the production of the design. The goal of this design was to create a statement to facilitate discussion pertaining to climate change, an environmental issue prominent in the news as well as on social media platforms. The design process framework (Jones, 2002) that was adapted to outline the creation process of sustainable and zero-waste designs (James, Roberts, & Kuznia, 2016) was implemented as a guide within this sustainable design research. The design phase of the framework included: research, ideation, concept development, fabric selection, design development, and design selection. The make phase of the framework included the creation of: patterns, fit samples, a production sample, and final production. Assessing the fit samples allowed for continual adjustments and improvements to the design, therefore creating a contoured fit around the body and minimal waste in the production of the design. 

Keywords: Design framework, Sustainable, Wearable Art, Fabric Manipulation

How to Cite:

Barbour, C. & Zhang, L., (2022) “Implementing a Design Process Framework for the Creation of Sustainable Wearable Art”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 78(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13718