Investigation of Style and Design Characteristics of Women's Outerwear with a User-Centered Design Approach

Abstract

This study aims to develop a design process model within the scope of the Design Thinking approach with Kansei Engineering support and to experientially apply this model. Additionally, another aim of the research is to investigate the affective/emotional preferences of female users regarding visual and functional aspects of outerwear designs, and subsequently develop alternative design model proposals in alignment with users’ preferences. In this study, the 'Stanford d.school Design Thinking Model' was utilized. Research data was obtained through a survey consisting of two sections, involving the opinions of female consumers aged between 18 and 60 residing in Istanbul. The first section includes a Likert-type scale to examine users’ outerwear design preferences. In the second section, a semantic differential scale was prepared to evaluate jacket, coat, and overcoat designs using Kansei words. The reliability of the measurement instrument was established through calculated Cronbach's Alpha coefficients, presented after each scale, confirming the reliability of both scales for this sample. The Kansei evaluation shows that the Design Thinking process model makes it possible to create designs that meet users' emotional needs.