Partnerships in Practice: Producing New Design Knowledge with Users When Developing Performance Apparel Products

Abstract

The performance apparel industry has a long history of engaging consumers, or users, in the apparel product development process to enhance existing products and inspire innovations. New design knowledge, in the form of user insights, can drive innovation and meet the exacting needs of the user. However, the methods that apparel product developers use to engage users in the design process remains relatively underexplored regarding the types of new design knowledge generated by each method. There exists a gap in the literature regarding design knowledge creation in the performance apparel industry, particularly regarding user engagement. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research was to explore how new design knowledge is produced with users when creating performance apparel. To achieve this goal, the researchers conducted interviews with 13 design professionals who worked at performance apparel brands. Their detailed accounts were used to describe the context of user involvement, explore the research methods product developers use to produce knowledge with users and the links between practices and knowledge production as framed through Nonaka’s Knowledge-Creating Theory.

Keywords:

• performance apparel
• functional clothing design
• product development process
• user engagement
• design knowledge creation

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kristen D. Morris

Kristen D. Morris is an assistant professor in the Department of Textile and Apparel Management at the University of Missouri. Her scholarly interests focus on improving the apparel product development process, end-users as collaborators, and functional clothing design. [email protected]Susan P. Ashdown is the Helen G. Canoyer professor in the Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design at Cornell University. Her research is on the interaction between apparel design and technology, 3-D body scanning, apparel fit and sizing, and changes in apparel design, production, and distribution driven by new technologies.

Susan P. Ashdown

Susan P. Ashdown is the Helen G. Canoyer professor in the Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design at Cornell University. Her research is on the interaction between apparel design and technology, 3-D body scanning, apparel fit and sizing, and changes in apparel design, production, and distribution driven by new technologies.