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Design and Product Development

"Everything Is A Picture!": Exploring Apparel Design Communication for People with Visual Impairments through Textual and Visual Product Information

Authors
  • Emma Nicoson orcid logo (University of Missouri)
  • Jung E. Ha-Brookshire (University of Missouri-Columbia)

Abstract

For people with visual impairments (PVI), shopping online for apparel is a difficult process due to inaccessible content conveyed primarily through visual cues (Barbosa, et al., 2022) – even with various assistive technologies. This study sought to explore how PVI gather information about apparel products given that the consumer relies heavily on visual product aesthetics (i.e., color, silhouette, style lines, etc.) which influence buyers' perception on e-commerce websites (Deng & Poole, 2012). Lamb and Kallal's (1992) Apparel Design framework was used to explore the aesthetic dimension and design principles used by apparel retailers on product landing pages. We conducted one-on-one observations followed by interviews with eight female participants in their 20s to 60s. The thematic data analysis highlighted the finding of unmet textual content of visually-dominated apparel design elements and therefore, negatvely impact design communication for PVI to shop for apparel. The study concludes with implication for educators and digial merchandisers.

Keywords: design communication, visual impairments, apparel, digtial landscape

How to Cite:

Nicoson, E. & Ha-Brookshire, J. E., (2025) “"Everything Is A Picture!": Exploring Apparel Design Communication for People with Visual Impairments through Textual and Visual Product Information”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18872

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Published on
2025-01-19

Peer Reviewed