PROMPT

User Research and Interview, Garment Design and Construction

I joined a team of fellows at MIT's Open Style Lab as lead designer to design a jacket that meets Justin's unique anatomy needs. The Zip back Jacket is a creative fashion tech solution for a sixteen-year-old teenager, Justin. Justin was born with muscular dystrophy and was diagnosed at the age of six months old. Justin and his mother, Prow, were looking for a warm, comfortable, and easy jacket to take on and off.

Justin and his care taker and mother, Prow trying on the Zip Back Jacket at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

PROCESS

I created an analysis of Justin's posture and specific requirements for jackets to understand the design parameters.

This prototype almost fit Justin well. With real-life fitting, I was able to figure out better measurements for the pattern of the coat.

Justin works with a care-taker's to put on and take off a jacket. Therefore his caretaker needs easy access to take off or put on Justin's jacket. In this prototype, I incorporate a wrap structure to create an easy back opening for his care taker and him to access his jacket.

Justin works with a caretaker to put on and take off a jacket. Therefore his caretaker needs easy access to take off or put on Justin's jacket. In this prototype, I incorporate a wrap structure to create an easy back opening for his caretaker and him to access his coat.

Because of scoliosis, Justin's arms have limited motion, and most of the time are folded. Regular sleeves collect too much fabric around his elbows and create a tightness around his elbows. I have made two different sleeve structure to reduce tightness and increase comfort and motion around his arms.

While wearing the jacket, I want to make sure Justin can have climate control of the coat. However, it is crucial to find out where the front zipper pull should be and its length. My two teammates and I created a test for Justin to mark the prototype to indicate where Justin can access the jacket.