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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2015

Seoha Min, Helen S. Koo and Marilyn DeLong

As media technology is developing, methods to present fashion products and communicate with audiences are also evolving. Designers and fashion brands are always on the lookout for…

Abstract

As media technology is developing, methods to present fashion products and communicate with audiences are also evolving. Designers and fashion brands are always on the lookout for more effective methods to deliver what designers intend through new products. The purpose of this research is to analyze different ways in which people perceive, cognize, and memorize the digital media of fashion show videos and fashion films in the communication process. Considering the difference in communication methods, this study is based on Shannon's communication model, Foulger's ecological model of the communication process, and Kopec's information management theory. In this research, Chanel's 2010 Cruise collection and fashion film, Remember Now, were used as content stimuli. The results indicate that there are significant differences between fashion shows and fashion films in terms of perception (p < .005), cognition (p < .005), and memorization (p < .005). This research will provide prospective methods for fashion designers and fashion firms to effectively deliver the latest fashion information to their audiences.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 March 2016

Helen S. Koo, Dawn Michaelson, Karla Teel, Dong-Joo Kim, Hyejin Park and Minseo Park

The purpose of this study is to investigate potential users’ preferences and expectations for fabric-based wearable e-nose system designs in order to develop painless and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate potential users’ preferences and expectations for fabric-based wearable e-nose system designs in order to develop painless and non-invasive monitoring systems for diabetes.

Design/methodology/approach

After developing a fabric-based wearable sensor, this study used an online survey with a mixture of closed- and open-ended questions about people’s desires and preferences for use-contexts, product types, design styles, and other key design factors.

Findings

This study investigated the preferences and expectations on designs of wearable e-nose systems for diabetes. The results showed that designers and developers need to consider important design components including sizes, shapes, and colors for practical wearable e-nose system designs. There were strong positive and significant correlations between participant characteristics and preferred wearable e-nose system design factors.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could compare differences between different age groups with different types of diabetes.

Practical implications

Understanding these differences will help designers and marketers target consumers and create diverse designs with different versions for success in the market.

Originality/value

There is lack of research for considering designs of wearable monitoring systems for diabetes. This research will be the first research to understand design preferences and expectations for developing wearable e-nose monitoring systems for diabetes.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Helen S. Koo and Xiao Huang

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate drivers’ differing psychological perceptions of cyclists’ conspicuity according to active visibility aid configurations on clothing.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate drivers’ differing psychological perceptions of cyclists’ conspicuity according to active visibility aid configurations on clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

The flashing light-emitting diodes (FLEDs) were positioned on the major joints (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles) in eight configurations and pre- and post-surveys were conducted.

Findings

The results indicated that there were significant differences among the eight configurations in observers’ detection and recognition of cyclists, contributions of FLEDs, and visibility of cyclists (p<0.001). Among the eight different configurations on joints, FLEDs on the hips, knees, and ankles were the most detectable, recognizable, and visible.

Originality/value

Most of the previous studies have investigated passive visibility aids and there is a lack of research on FLED configurations on major joints for cyclists. Thus, this study is expected to be beneficial to designers when developing active visibility aid clothing for cyclists.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 April 2017

Timothy Stapleton and Helen Sumin Koo

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of biomotion visibility aids for nighttime bicyclists compared to other configurations via 3D eye-tracking technology…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of biomotion visibility aids for nighttime bicyclists compared to other configurations via 3D eye-tracking technology in a blind between-subjects experiment.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 40 participants were randomly assigned one of four visibility aid conditions in the form of videos: biomotion (retroreflective knee and ankle bands), non-biomotion (retroreflective vest configuration), pseudo-biomotion (vertical retroreflective stripes on the back of the legs), and control (all-black clothing). Gaze fixations on a screen were measured with a 3D eye-tracking system; coordinate data for each condition were analyzed via one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc analyses with supplementary heatmaps. Post-experimental questionnaires addressed participants’ qualitative assessments.

Findings

Significant differences in eye gaze location were found between the four reflective clothing design conditions in X-coordinate values (p<0.01) and Y-coordinate values (p<0.05).

Practical implications

This research has the potential to further inform clothing designers and manufacturers on how to incorporate biomotion to increase bicyclist visibility and safety.

Social implications

This research has the potential to benefit both drivers and nighttime bicyclists through a better understanding of how biomotion can increase visibility and safety.

Originality/value

There is lack of literature addressing the issue of the commonly administered experimental task of recognizing bicyclists and its potential bias on participants’ attention and natural driving state. Eye-tracking has the potential to implicitly determine attention and visibility, devoid of biases to attention. A new retroreflective visibility aid design, pseudo-biomotion, was also introduced in this experiment.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 August 2018

Sumin Helen Koo

The purpose of this paper is to understand different preferences and important design factors for wearable soft robots (WSR) and understand how these differences affect people’s…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand different preferences and important design factors for wearable soft robots (WSR) and understand how these differences affect people’s perception, attitude and behavioral intentions toward using the WSR.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to purposely sampled participants who are adults aged over 18 of both genders with movement disabilities living in the USA. The collected data were analyzed through Welch’s t-test, Welch’s analysis of variance and linear- and multi-regressions for quantitative data and major theme extractions for qualitative data.

Findings

The results identified preferred functions and designs and important design factors for WSR and how these influence to users’ perception, attitude and behaviors on WSR.

Originality/value

The number of people with movement disabilities is anticipated to increase worldwide and it is essential to understand users for developing wearable movement aids for people with movement disabilities. However, there is no research on what functions and designs are preferred by WSR users and what aspects designers need to consider when developing these WSR. Thus, this research will contribute to the body of knowledge in WSR design; help WSR developers, designers and researchers better incorporate users’ preferences in the design process; and ultimately enhance the quality of life of people who have movement disabilities.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Seoha Min and Helen Koo

This study aims to provide insights to designers for seeking innovative ways to design sustainable clothes and appeal to consumers by enhancing sustainability.

1003

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide insights to designers for seeking innovative ways to design sustainable clothes and appeal to consumers by enhancing sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research purpose, the researchers went through a design process and designed three prototypes. The experts’ evaluation on the prototypes was positive.

Findings

Various design strategies derived from the Korean traditional costume were explored. Based on the strategies, three prototypes were developed, and the design experts’ evaluation on the prototypes was positive.

Originality/value

The research has implications as follows. The sustainable design process and methods used in this research for developing designs inspired from cultural costumes will provide insights to designers who want to create sustainable garments inspired by a certain culture. In addition, the design and sustainable design strategies, derived from the Chosun Dynasty, will guide apparel designers to create sustainable designs and broaden their perspectives. Furthermore, the research will provide guidance to following researchers who are interested in the topic of sustainability in apparel design. The researchers explored sustainable design strategies from the Korean culture, applied them in their design process and evaluated the design outcomes. By doing so, merits and limitations of the design strategies were more clearly understood.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 April 2018

Sumin Helen Koo

The purpose of this paper is to understand people’s preferred design and functional features for mosquito-bite protective clothing.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand people’s preferred design and functional features for mosquito-bite protective clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

Total 348 participants were asked through an online survey about their perceptions and behaviors related to mosquito bite prevention, preferred design and functional features for clothing, preferred design and functional features for smart clothing, preferred types of transferred data, and their demographic backgrounds. A series of t-tests and analyses of variance were computed using IBM’s SPSS 24.0.

Findings

There were significant differences in functional and design preferences among participants (p<0.05~0.001). The results suggest developing mosquito protective clothing as long pants for married people and outerwear for younger groups (10-40s), long-sleeved tops for all, and using thick fabrics for younger people than those over the 50s. Designers can develop smart clothing that can repel mosquitos through scents and cover the body, or as smart watches or wristbands to protect against mosquito bites. The connected software can present data about the mosquito numbers around the user, distances between the user and mosquitos, and product status. Marketers can target parents who showed more willingness to use the mosquito-bite protective clothing than individuals without children.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the study will help designers when developing mosquito-bite protective clothing and ultimately decrease the rate of diseases transmitted by mosquitos.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 December 2016

Yoon Jin Ma and Helen Koo

The purpose of this research is to investigate users’ expectations and preferences for transformable design functions of transformable party dresses to extend the life cycle of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate users’ expectations and preferences for transformable design functions of transformable party dresses to extend the life cycle of the clothing. With transformable design elements added to a party dress, a user can wear her one-event dress more than once, encouraging sustainable consumption. Rather than looking for a new dress, users can wear their party dress with one or even several new looks.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through purposive sampling from female college students who had purchased at least one party dress. The survey questionnaire was self-developed based on the literature review and consisted of items that measured fashion behavior in relation to party dresses; shopping orientations, focusing on confident/appearance and fashion-consciousness, economic/price consciousness and convenience/time-consciousness; perceived importance of design and functional elements in party dresses; perceived reasons for the limited use of party dresses; perceived importance of design elements of transformable dresses; purchase intention for transformable dresses; and demographic characteristics.

Findings

As consumer groups of diverse shopping orientations demonstrated purchase intentions for transformable party dresses, transformable features may become an important component of party dresses. Considering the main reasons for users’ limited use of party dresses, designers need to improve the versatility of the dresses’ design and functional elements, focusing on style and occasion, dress length, size/fit, silhouette and color/pattern, so that users can wear their party dresses more than once and ultimately enhance their sustainable apparel consumption practices.

Originality/value

The findings regarding users’ expectations and preferences for transformable party dresses can help apparel designers and fashion businesses understand potential users when developing transformable dresses and develop strategies to help with sustainable apparel consumption.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 April 2017

Helen Sumin Koo and Kris Fallon

The purpose of this paper is to understand what dimensions consumers prefer to track using wearable technology to achieve a healthier lifestyle and how these tracking dimensions…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand what dimensions consumers prefer to track using wearable technology to achieve a healthier lifestyle and how these tracking dimensions are related.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted with potential consumers in the USA, and a series of Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis and multiple regressions was conducted.

Findings

The most preferred self-tracking dimensions, tracking dimensions on others, most private tracking dimensions, most variable dimensions, and the dimensions that need to be improved were identified. The results of this study showed positive relationships overall among similar types of tracking dimensions, such as among dimensions of physical health condition (disease and disorder symptoms and general vital signs), mental health condition (stress level and mood/feeling), healthy lifestyle (fitness, and pose and posture), and productivity and task management (work productivity, location, and time management).

Originality/value

Designers are encouraged to make wearable technology products that are durable, easy to care for, attractive in design, comfortable to wear and use, able to track preferred dimensions, appropriate for various consumers, unobtrusive, portable, and small. This research will guide wearable technology and fashion industry professionals in the development process of wearable technology to benefit consumers by helping them be more self-aware, empowering them to develop a healthier lifestyle, and ultimately increasing their quality of life and well-being.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

Ru Han and Sumin Helen Koo

This research was to understand people's perceptions and trends in wearable robots and the research questions were as follows: (1) investigating key terms related to wearable…

Abstract

Purpose

This research was to understand people's perceptions and trends in wearable robots and the research questions were as follows: (1) investigating key terms related to wearable robots that were frequently used by and exposed to people and (2) analyzing relationships among those key terms.

Design/methodology/approach

Textom, a big data collection and analysis software system, was used to collect data using the keyword – wearable robot.

Findings

The frequency-inverse document frequency, term frequency and central analyses were investigated, and the major key terms related to wearable robots and their connectivity were identified. After performing network analysis and convergence of iterated correlations analyses using UCINET and NetDraw programs, the major key term categories were identified.

Originality/value

It is important to understand how people think and perceive about wearable robots before developing wearable robots. The results of the research are expected to be helpful to better understand how people perceive and what key terms are mainly discussed by people in both countries and ultimately help when developing wearable robots with better market targeting approach methods.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

1 – 10 of 33