Design and Product Development

Unlocking Embodied knowledge for Better Design: An Introduction to Co-generative Mapping

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Abstract

Clothing may be used to enhance well-being, yet for women size 22 and up, function is typically prioritized over aesthetics, and plus-size bodies are restricted from participating in "normal" fashion culture. This project explores a new methodology called "co-generative mapping" as a means to extract embodied knowledge from participants in order to collaboratively develop clothing that better meets functional, expressive, and aesthetic user needs. In this methodology, participants engage in body-mapping exercises to identify clothing needs, and participate in hands-on idea-generation activities designed to unlock personal lived experiences that may not be expressed as easily through traditional research and data collection methods. This research is the first phase of a larger project, wherein a series of three-dimensional dress forms will be produced based on participants' body scans, and utilized in the production of better fitting and better designed plus-size clothing.

How to Cite:

Schaefer, K., Story, C., Abel, S., Tullio-Pow, S. R. & Barry, B., (2016) “Unlocking Embodied knowledge for Better Design: An Introduction to Co-generative Mapping”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 73(1).