Smart garments -- the issue of usability and aesthetics

Abstract

In this position paper, important issues to consider for the development of smart garments are addressed. A special emphasis is placed on usability and its evaluation in a user-centered design approach. Different factors influencing the outcomes of usability tests are discussed. The effect of design aesthetics as a very important influencing factor in usability tests is addressed in detail and its potential influence on the outcomes of usability evaluations of smart garments is discussed. The paper concludes with recommendations for the development of usable and enjoyable smart garments.

Atelier of smart garments and accessories

“…The papers presented during the first ASGA workshop presented new directions in many fields. One presented some insights about the psychological impact of aesthetics on the usability of technology with a special reference to the possible implications about wearable devices [11]. Another paper presented the state of the art and the future perspective on the fabrication of smart contact lenses [12].…”

Sensors in Your Clothes: Design and Development of a Prototype

“…For this paper, we will use Sonderegger's (2013) We also make a clear distinction between the term wearables and the term smart garments, as the term wearables also includes smart watches and other similar technologies that can be worn, but does not fill the requirements of a garment.…”

“…However, we would argue that fashion is about much more than just whether or not the electronics are visible, but also how the garment reflects the societal impact the garment has. In general, clothing can have two distinguished functions: the physical and socio -cultural function (Sonderegger 2013). Not only do clothes keep us pro tected from the elements, but it can also reflect the wearer's individual, sexual, cultural or religious characteristics and social status (Sonderegger 2013).…”

“…In general, clothing can have two distinguished functions: the physical and socio -cultural function (Sonderegger 2013). Not only do clothes keep us pro tected from the elements, but it can also reflect the wearer's individual, sexual, cultural or religious characteristics and social status (Sonderegger 2013). When looking more specifically at wearables, the solutions can generally be divided into responsive and emotive wearables (Ashford 2014b).…”

“…To ensure that the garment truly is user friendly, rigorous user testing is needed. To mitigate the halo-effect, an effect which indicates that users correlate the attractiveness of the product with its usability, it is necessary to do long-term testing, over several hours or days (Sonderegger 2013). …”