ABSTRACT
The human figure serves as the foundation for wearable product development. An understanding of human structure (anatomy), human function (physiology), and actions of natural mechanical forces and energy in and on the body (biomechanics) can generate products that are compatible with complex bodies. Wearable product designers identify questions of “Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How” and apply product component knowledge to find a solution—a wearable product—which serves an individual’s needs.
Enrich and expand the design process by learning anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical terms. To facilitate design team communication and collaboration, anatomical and design terms, with definitions, are collected in the glossary. Using anatomical terms to reference (a) specific body structures, (b) sections of the body, (c) body processes, (d) relationships between body parts, and (e) body/product/environment interactions can help visualize body structures and relationships.
Anatomical knowledge can help you look at your user group or target market from a new perspective, see design problems in a new frame of reference, modify where and how you place your product on the body, and create innovative designs. Build anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical knowledge and create successful relationships between the body and products and advantageous interactions of the body and product with the environment.
The human body is the basis for wearable product design.
Wearable products serve as buffers between the body and the environment, e.g. impact protection, thermal protection
Wearable products must move with the body, e.g. sportswear, athletic wear, military uniforms
Wearable product materials and structures influence body function.
Variations in body structure complicate wearable product fit and sizing, from ready-to-wear to custom fit
