Bridging Methodological Gaps Through Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue for Design of Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology for the Active Ageing
This paper will consider the implications of a cross disciplinary approach to socially innovative design processes by examining research work in progress within the ‘Design For Ageing Well – Improving the quality of life for the ageing population using a technology enabled garment system’ project lead by University of Wales Newport. Social innovation often manifests through the actions of motivated individuals striving to improve the quality of life of themselves or other orbitally linked persons or groups. Within this paradigm, change frequently occurs organically with facilitators reacting to emerging advances in design theory and practice, appending each discovery to their own creative toolbox to help catalyse their next move. Whilst this practice has been proven as a successful methodology, it can lack a strong underpinning, i.e., a firm research grounding, of user focussed strategic direction with the consequence that product outputs with the potential for socially beneficial impact can fall short of the initially visualised potential. The Design for Ageing Well project aims to bring the relatively new discipline of smart clothes and wearable technology to the active ageing and provides a good case study through which to examine these issues.
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Bridging Methodological Gaps Through Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue for Design of Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology for the Active Ageing
- 1. Include 11 April 2011 Bridging Methodological Gaps Through Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue for the Design of Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology for the Active Ageing David Taylor Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology Research Centre. University of Wales Newport.
- 3. Part 1- Background, Research, Project, the Active Ageing and Smart Clothes
- 9. Part 2 - Theoretical perspective
- 10. Smart Clothes Design End Users Co-Design
- 19. Part 3 – Case Study
- 20. Impact – User Involvement in Design Process
- 24. Part 4 - Conclusion
- 25. Co-Design Process Great example of the process in action Informed the apparel designer Creative about the fabric choice User needs rather than brand / specification needs
- 26. Inclusive Addressing of Needs opening the doors Step forwards more inclusive outdoor apparel potentially excluded group
Editor's Notes
- My background is in graphic design, but ive always involved in cross disciplinary design practice. First job in late 80s was with one of the UK first cross disciplinary product design consultancies – product stylists, industrial designers, engineers, software developers and hardware designers Later on in 1994 (along with two EDI experts) set up the first web design agency in Wales – the idea was that we were going to develop Internet Business Solutions. In 14 years as the Creative Director, most time was spent at the centre of the multi discipinary team, working with the clients, the interface and IA designers and the software developers – created a real sense of participative design process.
- Develop a design focused cross disciplinary communications methodology in a language that is easily understood • Can inform the work of cross disciplinary teams • Provide a ‘gateway to understanding’ for the target end user (Active Ageing)
- The term “Active Ageing” was coined by the WHO in 2002 to be The process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age Which is an important idea because the population demographic is changing With a predicted growth from 11.8 to 15.3 million in the number of over 65s by 2031, when 24% of the UK population will be over 65 The big idea is that SCWT may be able to help the Active Ageing to remain more active and potentially reduce the strain on the system.