A Functional Design Framework for difficult-to-reach user groups: A case of the elderly Chinese

Abstract

Designing clothing for hard-to-reach user groups is particularly challenging because their limited accessibility and low participation make traditional design processes unsuitable. The elderly represent a typical hard-to-reach group due to mobility issues, low engagement, sampling difficulties, and specialized needs. In the context of global ageing, China’s elderly population is notably large and rapidly growing. Yet, China’s clothing market does not adequately meet elderly consumers’ needs, revealing a significant research gap and development potential. This study develops a design framework for hard-to-reach user groups, focusing on Chinese elderly women as a case. Various challenges hinder the fulfillment of these groups’ clothing needs. A lack of engagement at the design stage means limited sample data, restricting our understanding of their requirements. Digital tools can reduce reliance on direct participation and enable a positive iterative design cycle. Involving industry and other stakeholders brings diverse feedback, supporting a more comprehensive evaluation of user needs. By assessing these needs, researchers can quantitatively describe the relationship between consumer traits and clothing characteristics. Structural parameters can be entered into virtual models to simulate fit, enabling iterative refinement. This study proposes a clothing design framework for hard-to-reach user groups to enhance fit, comfort, and appearance.

Date of Award	28 Feb 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Kristina Brubacher (Co Supervisor) & Steve Hayes (Main Supervisor)