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3D simulation technology as an effective instructional tool for enhancing spatial visualization skills in apparel design

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of 3D simulation technology for enhancing spatial visualization skills in apparel design education and further to suggest an innovative teaching approach using the technology. Apparel design majors in an introductory patternmaking course, at a large Midwestern University in the United States, participated in this study. Three different teaching methods (lecture, 3D simulation instruments, and paper patternmaking) were employed in consecutive instructional phases, within a single day. A short questionnaire devised to assess students’ visualization abilities and overall evaluation on the three different teaching methods was administered to the students after each of the three phases. Overall, students’ abilities to visualize 2D patterns onto a human body were improved by all three teaching methods. The 3D simulation instruments anchored positive effects of training on spatial visualization abilities between lecture and paper patternmaking practices. The results affirm that 3D simulation technology has positive potential as an efficient instructional tool for improving students’ visualization skills in apparel design.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Design & Merchandising, Colorado State University, 1574 Campus Delivery, 314A Gifford Bldg., Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Juyeon Park

  2. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA, USA

    Dong-Eun Kim

  3. Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA

    MyungHee Sohn

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  1. Juyeon Park
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  2. Dong-Eun Kim
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  3. MyungHee Sohn
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Correspondence to Juyeon Park.

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Park, J., Kim, DE. & Sohn, M. 3D simulation technology as an effective instructional tool for enhancing spatial visualization skills in apparel design. Int J Technol Des Educ 21, 505–517 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-010-9127-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-010-9127-3

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