Development of an interdisciplinary method for the study of fabric perception

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1998

Abstract

In retail-store settings, consumers are influenced by visual and tactile information while shopping for textiles and apparel products. In order to simulate some aspects of a real-world shopping context while recognizing the benefit of laboratory control and precision, textile chemists, physical scientists, social scientists, and designers have developed a new methodology to study perceptual responses to textiles. Based on several studies, a series of recommendations is offered. To simulate an actual purchase setting, we recommend that some variables (e.g. room temperature and humidity) be monitored, but not controlled to the point at which applicability to a real-world context is diminished. We also make specific recommendations regarding viewing versus non-viewing of fabrics and other logistical variables in relation to our development of a fabric-sorting method and an open-ended response format. A list of common consumer-generated descriptors is provided. Our interdisciplinary method aims to strike a meaningful balance between scientific control and applicability in a real-world context. © 1998 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of the Textile Institute

First Page

65

Last Page

77

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