HEAJOO (YVONNE) LEE
Human-Centered Design
RESEARCH I
Lee, H. (2019). Part 1: Athletes’ satisfaction with their uniforms: Identifying design criteria for optimizing figure skating dress. International Textile and Apparel Association Proceedings [abstract]. Monument, CO. Retrieved from http://www.itaaonline.org.
Identifying Design Criteria for Optimizing Figure Skating Dress
Aim to understand the figure skaters' needs/demands about their uniform (dress) related to the major range of motions of a figure skater and to identify design criteria to perform a new FSU design based on ergonomic aspects (both physical and psychological concerns).
In this study, mix-method research conducted to obtain a better understanding of the research problem and to lead high inference quality: (1) qualitative method: data from both focus group interview and personal interviews and (2) quantitative method: data of a thermal camera. The mix-method supported the research validity through quantitative data to justify the conceptual information such as values, opinions, and behaviors. As well as, the research reliability enhanced by integrating qualitative paradigms. By considering the various circumstance of the target users, FEA (functional, expressive, and aesthetic) consumer needs model (Lamb & Kallal, 1992) was based to profile the design criteria. The FEA model helped to understand the user's demands and to identify the design criteria for the further designs of the figure skating uniform which have diverse themes.
Qualitative Research Method
For the qualitative research method (focus group interview and individual interviews), 20 skaters recruited from the ice- link in Mt. Pleasant for the focus group interview. Also, two coaches and three club skaters recruited for the individual interview. According to both focus group interview and individual interviews results, most athletics, who were dissatisfied with current figure dress. 80 percent of the respondents point out the material and thermal problem, and the rest of others mentioned the fit/movement, durability, and esthetic. Furthermore, in terms of the main requirements of their future figure skating dress, of those who consented to participate, 70 percent of respondents indicated about the functional textile such as thermal protect, compression, and tactile comfort, 30 percent pointed out the design details such as symbolic express, esthetic, and wearing sensation.
Quantitative Research Method
A thermal camera was conducted to determine body temperature on the specific body section on how to differentiate between before and after exercise. The result of the thermal camera showed that the general body temperature after an exercise is lower than the temperature before an exercise. insulation but also moisture permeability.
Thermal Camera
According to the thermal camera test, people felt cold after they have exercised which was the phenomenon from the effect of the evaporation. Also, the result showed that the body temperature is getting lower during exercising, and the more the body sweats, the more the temperature falls. Particularly, the specific points on the body such as the shoulder, arm, back, hip, and thigh were the most important points to be evaluated not only the thermal
Design Criteria
Based on the interviews and thermal camera test, design criteria identified twelve needs factors for this study. Furthermore, all design criteria were determined related to the FEA needs such as the functional needs (i.e., waterproof, functionality, elasticity, tactile comfort), the expressive needs (i.e., symbolic/nationality), and the aesthetic needs (i.e., art/beauty, decorative detail, fit).
Interaction Matrix of Design Criteria
As shown in Table, several conflict conditions should be remedied before designing new figure skating dress. 'Decorative detail' should be incorporated into the figure skating dress design while 'lightweight' and 'strength/durability' should not be ignored. Also, 'tactile comfort' and 'activity/movability' should also not be compromised in relation to the 'functionality/protection'. However, most design criteria were no conflicts, especially, several design criteria were related well to cooperate with each criterion and to imply generating a synergy effect.
RESEARCH II
Lee, H., & Seifert, E. (2018). Development of Design Criteria for Mastectomy Bra: Human-Centered Design (Part I). International Textile and Apparel Association Proceedings [abstract]. Monument, CO. Retrieved from http://www.itaaonline.org.
Development of Design Criteria for Mastectomy Bra
The proposed investigation into the users’ needs and understanding of the design criteria will be used not only for identifying the essential requirements of figure skating dress for athletes, but also for improving sportswear in the sports apparel industry. In addition, this study contributes to establishing a workable design standard to use valid criteria for a consumer-focused functional design in the apparel industry.
In this study, a focus group interview was conducted to understand real-life conditions and compare them with current knowledge to identify the root-cause of problems with mastectomy bras through open-ended questions.
Focus Group Interview
Within our participants/users, the average age was 61.
During both sets of interviews, we were able to talk to the following kinds of participants/users:
bilateral (loss of both breasts): 4
unilateral (loss of one breast): 3
undeveloped breast: 1
All of our users were married and are from a wide variety of different career paths. Our goal was to understand what these users wanted within future products and what issues they had with products in the past. This was in order to provide information on the design of mastectomy bras that these users and other users like them gravitated towards.
Define Design Criteria
In this study, a focus group interview was conducted to understand real-life conditions and compare them with current knowledge to identify the root-cause of problems with mastectomy bras through open-ended questions. The FEA (functional, expressive, and aesthetic) consumer needs model (Lamb & Kallal, 1992) was used to identify design criteria for mastectomy bra design by considering human- centered concerns (physical, psychology, and ergonomic). Based on the results of the focus group interview and the literature review, eight design criteria were identified: ‘line/shape’, ‘sexuality’, ‘fit/movement’, ‘thermal comfort’, ‘stylish/attractive’, ‘pressure/pain’, ‘design details’, and ‘self-esteem’.
Identifying Design Details
There were clear connections among the requirements of a mastectomy bra, and these main themes, functional, expressive, and aesthetic, had a powerful effect on evaluating eight design criteria (Figure 1). Using a human factor design perspective, a mastectomy bra should address physical matters, such as comfort, fit, and symmetrical shape. Also, psychological considerations, such as feelings of attractiveness, sexuality, and self-esteem were most significant to users in achieving quality of life. To better understand the users of mastectomy bras, it is necessary to depict the duality of the functional yet fashionable bra, and at the same time designing to achieve harmony between physical and psychological comfort.
Ideate Design
Based on the results of the pre- interviews, the needs and dissatisfaction of participants were considered, and we came up with six low-fidelity prototypes of mastectomy bra including basic bra and sports bra based on the eight design criteria. Three prototypes were selected among six rough prototypes in order to be evaluated from users. All three prototypes were tried to design with the consideration of eight design criteria factors: fit/movement’, ‘pressure/pain’, ‘thermal balance’, ‘line/shape’, stylish/attractive’, ‘design details’, ‘sexuality’ and ‘self-esteem’.
Prototype
User focus group interviews gave a better understanding of what individuals truly wanted and needed from the products available on the market. The result highlights the differences between what previous research states as best for the users and what the users would actually prefer. As a result of the discussions, we were able to pinpoint themes that helped to solidify design criteria that takes into account as much of the information provided as possible. This study explored optimized design criteria for mastectomy bras based on both theoretical underpinnings using the FEA model and the Gupta’s three requirements of functional clothing and participatory perspectives through user interviews. Thus, resulted criteria would be more reliable and user-centered for future mastectomy bra design.