Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Advancing Sustainable Fashion Through User-centric Computational Design: Enhancing User Engagement and Creative Experiences in Garment Customization 

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Abstract

This study introduces the User-Centric Computational Design Process (UCCDP), a generative fashion framework enhancing user participation, personalization, and emotional engagement through multimodal interaction. Unlike conventional customization platforms, UCCDP empowers users to co-create garments using images, audio, and text, fostering authorship and creative expression. Grounded in participatory and computational design principles, the system was tested with 16 college-aged participants through hands-on interaction and interviews. Results showed that UCCDP elevated satisfaction by supporting emotional connections and creative control. Interaction modalities like sound-based input and visual manipulation offered novel, enjoyable experiences, while real-time feedback enabled refinement. Though some users experienced decision fatigue, most preferred UCCDP for its uniqueness and sense of ownership. Integrating algorithmic design with personal data improves experience and supports sustainable consumption by reinforcing emotional attachment. This research advances digital fashion, mass customization, and sustainable innovation by presenting a scalable model for emotionally durable apparel. 

Keywords: Computational design, user-centric design process, participatory design

How to Cite:

Jiang, L. & Zhang, L., (2025) “Advancing Sustainable Fashion Through User-centric Computational Design: Enhancing User Engagement and Creative Experiences in Garment Customization ”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21857