Survival of
the Outfit

Project Brief:

Project Brief:

Project Brief:

Design and make a garment for surviving social breakdown

Description

Brief: Design and make a garment for surviving social breakdown

Group Members : 4
Time Frame: 1 Weeks
Research Methodology:


First Ideation

Concept: The Hug Encouraging Dress

Paper-cutting Exercise


First Prototype

  • Objective

    • Promote increased physical affection and alleviate anxiety

    • Address the impact of the pandemic on social interactions

  • Design Features:

    • Incorporates pattern-cutting techniques for prototype development

  • Functionality

    • Encourages individuals to engage in more frequent hugs

    • Provides comfort and aesthetic appeal for wearers

  • Purpose:

    • Facilitates a sense of connection and support

    • Promotes mental well-being through physical touch

  • Target Audience:

    • Individuals seeking to enhance their social interactions

    • Those experiencing pandemic-related anxiety or isolation

  • Benefits:

    • Encourages positive physical contact

    • Fosters a sense of closeness and belonging

    • Contributes to overall emotional well-being

Second Ideation

Ideation & Concept

Final Concept:

Fashionable Garment for Social Development in Autism

  • Background:

    • The impact of COVID-19 on the social development of people with autism was highlighted in 2021 report

    • Recognition of fragility of mental capacity in individuals with autism

  • User:

    • Individual (teachers, guardians) in daycare responsible to teach or look after Autistic childrens

  • Objective:

    • Address social breakdown within the autistic community

    • Aid hyposensitive autistic individuals in rebuilding relationships and reducing challenging or antisocial behaviours

  • Design Features

    • Fashionable garments designed for both individualistic and group settings

    • Incorporates principles from play therapy to facilitate social interaction

  • Informed Methods:

    • Utilisation of successful approaches from play therapy

    • References the work of Orit J. and Virginia R. (2016)

  • Purpose

    • Supports individuals with autism in developing social skills

    • Promotes engagement and interaction in a comfortable and stylish manner

  • Benefits:

    • Facilitate social integration and inclusion

    • Enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism by fostering meaningful relationships

Shopping for Materials

We visited Pound Land and charity shops to buy cheap materials for the design.

Materials Used:

  • Children’s clothes

  • Balloons

  • Cloth sheets

  • Colour strings

  • Crepe paper

Cutting Cloths into Strips

Attaching the strip to a strand

Stitching it on the main base

Making the top

Our garment can be thought of as a sensory playground that uses elements of play therapy, ASMR (proven to calm autistic people down), and weight (helping them with their proprioception and anxiety reduction).

Cutting Cloths into Strips

Cutting the skirt to make the main base for the design

Stitching it on the main base

Making the Sleeves

This is a sensory engaging garment that helps hypo-sensitive children with their anxiety, help them improve their focus and also allows them to interact with others more comfortably.


We designed this piece for hyposensitive autistic children. This neuro-divergent group actively seek out sensory experiences – for example, they might wear tight-fitting clothing, look for things to touch, hear or taste, or rub their arms and legs against things. During COVID-19, many of them experienced an increase in anxiety and stress due to the inability to go outside and engage their senses.

Cutting the skirt to make the main base
for the design

Creating ASMR Effects

Testing the mics under the stress ball

Several microphones were strategically positioned amidst the stress balls, intricately linked to an amplifier. As garments move, the mics capture their subtle sounds, which are then amplified, generating a harmonious and calming auditory experience.

Facecover design


ASMR-Inspired Garment for Autism Spectrum Individuals

  • Utilisation of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) elements for relaxation and anxiety reduction

  • Recognition of hypervigilance and social interaction challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum

  • Centred around ASMR elements known for their calming effects

  • Approachable and tactile design to appeal to sensory preferences

  • Support individuals with sensory processing difficulties in navigating social interactions

Final Show