Short answer
Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and embrace the performative nature of wearables, designing for expression, interaction, and the co-creation of meaning between the user and the technology.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University) (2017)
- Method
- Art-research and theoretical analysis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The meaning and creation of wearable technology are deeply intertwined with human and non-human performance, encompassing social interactions, fashion aesthetics, and technological capabilities. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University). Using Art-research and theoretical analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and embrace the performative nature of wearables, designing for expression, interaction, and the co-creation of meaning between the user and the technology.
Wearables are Inherently Performative: Integrating Fashion, Technology, and Human Expression
The meaning and creation of wearable technology are deeply intertwined with human and non-human performance, encompassing social interactions, fashion aesthetics, and technological capabilities.
Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University) · 2017
Key Findings
- 01Wearables are not static objects but are actively co-created through the performance of both the technology and the wearer.
- 02Performance, in its multifaceted forms (social, aesthetic, technological), is a fundamental aspect that shapes the creation and meaning of wearables.
- 03The historical roots of wearables can be traced to performative fields, indicating a long-standing connection between adornment, expression, and technology.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and embrace the performative nature of wearables, designing for expression, interaction, and the co-creation of meaning between the user and the technology.
How to apply
When designing a wearable, consider its 'stage' – the social and environmental context – and how the wearer will perform with and through the device. Explore how fashion elements can enhance or alter this performance.
Project actions
- 01When designing a wearable, think about how it will look and feel on a person, not just its technical specs.
- 02Consider the social context where the wearable will be used and how it might influence interactions or personal expression.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a novel theoretical framework for understanding wearables beyond their technical specifications.
- +Connects wearable design to broader concepts of performance, art, and fashion, offering a richer design discourse.
Limitations
It can be challenging to objectively measure or quantify 'performance' in a design project. The subjective nature of aesthetics and social interaction can be difficult to control or analyze rigorously.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be improved by using standardized observation protocols for user performance. Validity is strengthened by the theoretical grounding and the exploration of diverse performative contexts.
Think critically
How can designers move beyond purely functional requirements to intentionally design for specific types of social or aesthetic performance in wearable technology?
Design Principles
"Design for performative integration: Consider how a product will be enacted, displayed, and interpreted within its social and technological context, fostering a dynamic relationship between the user and the artifact."
Understanding wearables as performative shifts the design focus from mere functionality to the dynamic interplay between the object, the wearer, and their environment. This perspective encourages designers to consider the expressive and communicative potential of wearables, leading to more engaging and contextually relevant product development.
What This Means for Your Design
Wearable tech isn't just about what it does, but how it's used and seen. It's like a costume that also has a function, and the way you wear it changes its meaning and how people react to it.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research when discussing the conceptualization of your wearable, highlighting the importance of performance and user expression in your design choices.
- 2.Use the idea of 'performative wearables' to justify design decisions related to aesthetics, user interaction, and the social implications of your product.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The performative nature of wearables, as highlighted by Lamontagne (2017), suggests that their design and meaning are intrinsically linked to human and non-human performance. This perspective emphasizes that wearables are not merely functional devices but are co-created through user interaction, fashion aesthetics, and technological capabilities, influencing social expression and identity.
Source
Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University)
Performative Wearables: Bodies, Fashion and Technology
journal · 2017
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about wearables are inherently performative: integrating fashion, technology, and human expression?
- Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and embrace the performative nature of wearables, designing for expression, interaction, and the co-creation of meaning between the user and the technology. Evidence: Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University) (2017).
- Why does "Wearables are Inherently Performative: Integrating Fashion, Technology, and Human Expression" matter for design?
- Understanding wearables as performative shifts the design focus from mere functionality to the dynamic interplay between the object, the wearer, and their environment. This perspective encourages designers to consider the expressive and communicative potential of wearables, leading to more engaging and contextually relevant product development.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and embrace the performative nature of wearables, designing for expression, interaction, and the co-creation of meaning between the user and the technology.
- What were the main findings?
- Wearables are not static objects but are actively co-created through the performance of both the technology and the wearer.. Performance, in its multifaceted forms (social, aesthetic, technological), is a fundamental aspect that shapes the creation and meaning of wearables.. The historical roots of wearables can be traced to performative fields, indicating a long-standing connection between adornment, expression, and technology.
- What research method was used?
- Art-research and theoretical analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2017 journal from Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a wearable, consider its 'stage' – the social and environmental context – and how the wearer will perform with and through the device. Explore how fashion elements can enhance or alter this performance.
- What are the limitations?
- The focus on art-research labs may not fully represent the broader industry landscape of wearable development. The theoretical nature of some analyses might require further empirical validation.