Creative Design: Professional

Water's Edge: Theme and Variation

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Abstract

The design Water’s Edge: Theme and Variation is a beginning phase in examining Universal Design principles for apparel, and was motivated by the belief that clothing has a dual purpose of function and self-expression. Designers frequently apply all seven principles of UD when creating a product, but as not all principles directly apply to apparel, the focus of this design was flexibility in use, the second UD principle, Water’s Edge allows a variety of wearing options. It can be worn as a vest, or as a jacket by adding the separate sleeves. It can also be turned 180 degrees so that center front becomes center back. The digitally printed design, developed from photographs of ice and water, was manipulated to create linear movement and transition from light to dark. Interconnected pattern pieces allow distribution of shaping while allocating control to the wearer in terms of garment interaction with body.

Keywords: universal design, flexibility in use

How to Cite:

Parsons, J. L. & Morris, K. D., (2019) “Water's Edge: Theme and Variation”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 76(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.9547