Master Thesis

JOYFUL PARTICIPATION IN NEW WAYS OF DESIGNING AND MAKING CLOTHES.

Enabling person-product attachment to potentially reduce unnecessary consumption.

Master Thesis for Aalto University School of Arts, Design & Architecture. Degree Programme: Creative Sustainability

Abstract: This master’s thesis investigates design opportunities to motivate and enable sustainable consumer behaviour, especially regarding wasteful fashion and clothing consumption. A literature review provides a theoretical framework and builds background knowledge for three explorative case studies. These practice-led case studies gradually increase the user-involvement in sustainable consumption behaviour. Each case study elaborates a particular research question, evaluating the opportunities to change consumer behaviour with a different design approach. Selected findings from these three case studies provide an insight to the possibilities of design for person-product attachment with participatory design concepts like ‘half-way products’: design objects which are intentionally ‘unfinished’.The conclusion drawn is that designers can enable a joyful participation in clothes making, for example with half-way products, and thus foster a stronger emotional value towards garments. This emotional value is likely to facilitate a stronger person-product attachment and encourage longer lasting products.

The thesis was published as a example for good practice based Master Thesis in the book: Thesis Design. Research Meets Practice in Art and Design Master’s Theses. Maria Seliger & Young-ae Hahn, Aalto ARST books.