Pedagogy and Professional Development

Developing an Aesthetic Language for Fashion Design Communication

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Abstract

This study investigates the articulation of Aesthetic Design Language for Fashion Design (ADL-F). ADL-F encompasses the written descriptions that convey the visual, tactile, and technical aspects of a design, bridging the designer's vision with the observer's perception without relying on visual imagery. Despite its importance in design scholarship and the emerging relevance with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), many students and professionals struggle to accurately express their designs in ADL-F. Through an exploratory qualitative analysis of 42 third-year fashion design students' assignments, the research identified challenges in conveying precise, clear descriptions and proposed improvements. Six themes emerged, highlighting issues with vague metaphorical language, the effectiveness of literal visual translations, sensory detailing, cultural symbolism, color and emotion, and structural description. The findings suggest that clearer, more detailed descriptions using formal aesthetics, particularly regarding structure and color, could improve ADL-F's effectiveness, especially in the context of emerging GenAI.

Keywords: Aesthetics, Aesthetic Language, Generative AI, Design Communication

How to Cite:

Bernardoni, J. M. & Ruppert-Stroescu, M., (2025) “Developing an Aesthetic Language for Fashion Design Communication”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18790