Pedagogy and Professional Development

Fostering Creativity and Community Engagement while Focusing on Sustainability: An Apparel Co-Design Project with Elementary School Scholars

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Abstract

This study investigates the integration of a co-design approach within a studio-based apparel design course involving 18 seniors and 11 elementary school students as co-designers. Guided by the FEA (Functional, Expressive, Aesthetic) conceptual model and sustainability principles, the semester-long project challenged college students to collaboratively design and create customized garments for students on the elementary school’s Morning News Team. Participant responses to a post-project survey revealed that the co-design approach empowered the designers to actively engage the users, deepening their understanding of the design process. By including users as active participants, the project facilitated exploration of alternative approaches to garment design and development, leading to design outcomes that reflected the target audience’s needs and preferences while promoting the potential for extended garment lifecycles. Findings offer a pedagogical model for integrating co-design into apparel design curricula, promoting creative and sustainable practices while bridging the gap between design theory and real-world application.

Keywords: Co-Design, Apparel Design, Pedagogy, FEA Model, Sustainability

How to Cite:

Bang, H. & Hodges, N. J., (2025) “Fostering Creativity and Community Engagement while Focusing on Sustainability: An Apparel Co-Design Project with Elementary School Scholars”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18678