Using the Design Process to Teach Functional Apparel Design

The use of a process framework for teaching functional apparel design is discussed as it relates to developing students' creative problem-solving abilities. A typical design process framework is presented, and practical approaches to implementing the various stages of the design process in the functional apparel design classroom are discussed. References from works on creative thinking are used to support the author's premise that the development of the "process" orientation is, over the long run, more important to design education than a "product" orientation.