The intent of this study is to reveal essential elements learned by reflecting and analyzing the applied design process in developing a specialized garment for a child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). I researched and determined the clothing needs of one child with SMA, designed and created a pair of adaptive pants based on the needs of the child, tested the final product through a trial wear of the adaptive pants, and I evaluated and revised the adaptive pants. Through this study I also determined ways in which my design process can inform my teaching of applied design in my elementary art classroom.

This study investigates the functional and aesthetic needs in adaptive clothes, with emphasis on trousers for wheelchair users. A pair of trousers were provided by Design by Björk to be investigated and distinguish if the desired consumers' needs are met. It’s important to acknowledge the importance of aesthetic and functional attributes in clothing, to not separate standard and adaptive clothing design. In addition, the socio-psychological impact clothes have on wheelchair users was researched, to emphasize the need for an inclusive fashion industry. In the research process for the study it is acknowledged that previous studies encourage further focus on aesthetically pleasing elementents in adaptive clothing. The aim is to increase awareness of how important this aspect is for the consumer in interaction with functionality. A mixed method approach made with convergent parallel design was used to collect data, utilizing surveys and interviews. It is presented that wheelchair users value the functional, aesthetic and comfortable aspects in clothing equally, and that it is important to not compromise with any aspect in the design process. The study confirms that clothing can have a negative impact on the wheelchair users psychological and physical wellbeing, which is highly related to the lack of clothing in the market range that meets the wheelchair users needs. A sample sketch was developed with suggested improvements for a pair of trousers provided by Design by Björk. The result demonstrates that adding adjustable attributes to the trousers can contribute to increased comfort, aesthetic and functional needs of the consumers.

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