Commercially available children’s cloth masks range widely in material type and fabric structures, methods of construction, layering, and shape, and there is a lack of sizing systems, anthropometric data or guidelines specifically targeting the fit assessment and design of cloth face masks for children 4-6 years old. To better identify and understand the cloth face mask fit and functional needs of children ages 4-6 years old, the researchers embarked on interdisciplinary in-depth study to investigate commercial market offerings of children’s face masks, identify consumer perspectives, and explore mask design improvements through design research. By triangulating results from survey feedback, commercial market content analysis, and wear trial observations, the researchers were able to identify important design criteria that can be used in the improvement of children’s cloth face mask design: size, comfort, dexterity, movement, and thermal comfort. These criteria were used to iteratively develop new mask prototypes involving a 3D printed head form, traditional sewing and hand patternmaking skills, and the creation of multiple mask versions to explore the design criteria listed above. The designs were interpreted through Bye’s (2010) Problem-Based Design Research (PBDR) framework, which identifies common design research practices in the field on a spectrum and situates PBDR as a process centered on a problem as impetus for design through which artifacts are developed.
IRB exemption approval. Of the three participants, the 6-year-old boy Size 7 and a head form in size 8R (based on ASTM D6458-12) 3D printed from the scan of a sixyear-old boy from Size North America dataset were included in the fit analysis. The selection of the scan was based on 3D-printability of the ears in consideration of all the head anthropometry data in a normative band. The two heads were scanned with a Structure sensor, capturing their faces with and without wearing the eight purchased commercial face masks. Visual fit analyses then conducted by two researcher expert-judges evaluated set and ease using a 5-point Likerttype rating scale (1=too tight, 3=good fit, 5=too loose). Face masks patterns were traced and imported to Adobe Illustrator and ImageJ to illustrate the nested patterns and obtain their surface area. Chi-square non-parametric test were used for statistical analysis with JMP Pro 15.0.0 software. Fabric performance for breathability and FE was evaluated on deconstructed mask samples. Multilayer samples were assembled in the sequence of the original mask. Air permeability was measured following ASTM D737-18. A simulated breathing apparatus consisting of a large animal respirator, aerosol generator, filter holder, and multi-channel particle counter was employed to assess the exhaled aerosol capture of 0.3 μm, 0.5 μm, and 1.0 μm sized particles by the various flat fabric samples. Samples were weighed by their individual layers before testing, directly after testing (wet), and 24 hours after testing (dry). Wet Pickup was calculated as a ratio of the difference between the wet and dry weights and the initial weight. Results, Discussion, and ConclusionResults of this study indicate issues with the fit, filtration, size, wear, and comfort of masks for children ages 4-6 including poor overall fit leading to slippage from proper positioning and fogging of glasses, thermal and ear discomfort, and difficulty with donning/doffing. From the market research and Qualtrics survey, the most common mask attributes were a shaped style, stretch ear loops, two layers of woven cotton, and an all-over surface print. Masks with a fitted shape around the nose, mouth and under chin coverage were most preferred, and those with highest coverage area were found to provide better fit based on results from the structured set and ease analysis of scanned heads. Evaluation of FE and air permeability showed a weak correlation between aerosol capture and breathability. No significant difference in wet pickup was measured between masks made of hydrophobic materials and masks made of hydrophilic materials, except for the 3-layered tightly woven cotton poplin mask. A balance between breathability and FE is impacted by the types of mask materials and number of layers, including moisture retention against the wearer's face, overall thermal comfort, and protection. Concerns of poor fit, comfort, and breathability among commercially available children's face masks are consistently indicated by these collective results. For the fit a...
Can we work this out?: An examination of the US activewear industry through the lens ofthe COVID-19 pandemic Lauren Forstenhausler, Cornell University Introduction: Over a year into COVID-19, most are familiar with the stay-at-home and workfrom-home movements of the pandemic's early stages. Ordinary people translated all aspects of their life to home living, including lounge, work, play, and working out. As staying home does not require people to dress up below the shoulders, the activewear/loungewear industries have a unique opportunity to succeed and thrive. Although activewear, work-from-home, and online shopping are trends that have already been expanding pre-pandemic, the pandemic acted as a catalyst to explode the impact of these trends. The number of yoga products in the market expanded by 85% from January 2019 to 2020 (Marci, 2020), WGSN predicted the idea of home as sanctuary for 2021 before COVID-19 existed (Varga, 2019), and the so-called retail apocalypse has been studied for the past several years leading up to the global pandemic. This study aims to examine trends in the US activewear industry throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic from both the retail business side and the consumer perspective in order to identify best practices for business and predict future momentum of these trends. Methods: This study consists of two phases: Phase I Market Research and Phase II Consumer Behavior. Phase I includes an analysis of relevant reports and articles and a financial analysis of five large activewear brands. Phase II was an online survey on personal style, shopping behaviors, and workout habits over the course of the pandemic as well as thoughts/opinions on activewear. Young women aged 18-25 were selected for this study as they are influential in the marketplace and have been known to purchase more clothing and shop online more frequently than older generations (Simpson, 2019). Market and Financial Analysis. In order to evaluate the industry from a business perspective, relevant articles were read and examined. Articles were compiled and organized by date in order to visualize the progression of the pandemic through articles on activewear and new/emerging activewear brands. A financial analysis was also conducted through quarterly reports of five large activewear brands, focusing on the year-overyear (YoY) revenue growth and e-commerce growth. Survey. An online Qualtrics survey was distributed from December 2020 to January 2021 with approval of the Institutional Review Board, in order to evaluate changes and shifts in the industry from a consumer perspective. The survey consists of demographics, personal style, style effort level, wardrobe and shopping, workout habits, and activewear and tracks self-reported responses of how participants acted and felt during pre-pandemic (defined as before March 2020), lockdown (defined as March-May 2020), and re-opening (defined as June 2020-) periods. Results: Market and Financial Analysis. One sector that has seen massive growth, especially in early stages o...
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