The power of a single prototype: sustainable fashion textile design and the prevention of carcinogenic melanoma

Joan Farrer, Angela Finn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNConference contribution with ISSN or ISBNpeer-review

Abstract

Is there a role for prototyping (sketching, pattern making and sampling) in addressing real world problems of sustainability (People, Profit, and Planet), in this case social/healthcare issues, through fashion and textiles research? Skin cancer and related illnesses are a major cause of disfigurement and death in New Zealand and Australia where the rates of Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, are four times higher than in the Northern Hemisphere regions of USA, UK and Canada (IARC, 1992). In 2007, AUT University (Auckland University of Technology) Fashion Department and the Health Promotion Department of Cancer Society - Auckland Division (CSA) developed a prototype hat aimed at exploring a barrier type solution to prevent facial and neck skin damage. This is a paradigm shift from the usual medical research model. This paper provides an overview of the project and examines how a fashion prototype has been used to communicate emergent social, environmental, personal, physiological and technological concerns to the trans-disciplinary research team. The authors consider how the design of a product can enhance and support sustainable design practice while contributing a potential solution to an ongoing health issue. Analysis of this case study provides an insight into prototyping in fashion and textiles design, user engagement and the importance of requirements analysis in relation to sustainable development. The analysis and a successful outcome of the final prototype have provided a gateway to future collaborative research and product development.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational conference on advanced research and rapid prototyping; Innovative developments in design and manufacturing advanced research in virtual and rapid prototyping
EditorsPaulo Jorge da Silva Bartolo, Mateus Artur, Jorge, Fernando da Conceicao, Batista, Henrique Amorim Almeida, Joao Manuel Matias, Joel Correia Vasco
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherTaylor & Francis Ltd, Boca Raton.
Pages681-686
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9780415873079
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Aug 2010
EventInternational conference on advanced research and rapid prototyping; Innovative developments in design and manufacturing advanced research in virtual and rapid prototyping - Leiria, Portugal, October 2009
Duration: 16 Aug 2010 → …

Publication series

NameInnovative Developments in Design and Manufacturing

Conference

ConferenceInternational conference on advanced research and rapid prototyping; Innovative developments in design and manufacturing advanced research in virtual and rapid prototyping
Period16/08/10 → …

Keywords

  • Fashion Design
  • Sustainability
  • Prototyping
  • Skin Cancer
  • Melanoma Wellbeing

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