3D Scanner - User experience testing
Research @ Cornell 3D Body Scanning Lab | 2017
#customization #3D #density #stiffness #curvatures
During my 4 years working at the 3D Body Scanning Lab, I had the opportunity to work with Graupel, a startup that uses 3D scanner and mobile interface to create customized clothing for clients.
Idea
3D scanners are widely used in the medical field, but not so much for personal use. What if it was also designed to create well fitted unique clothing for oneself? We would no longer spend as much time wandering around the shopping mall to find the right sizing and fitting for clothing. Therefore, as a researcher at X 3D Scanning Lab, I partnered with Garauple to lead a pilot testing of this concept.
Agenda
First, using the portable 3D scanner and phone application, Cloudzet, my body measurements were achieved. Based on this information and my preference for clothing, including the length and design for skirt and shirt, the customized business attire arrived within 2 weeks. I worked directly with the CEO regarding the HCI experience of the product, fittings, material quality, and logistics of delivering product to users.
After the initial feedback, I recruited 25 female participants aged 18 to 28. Each participant was scheduled to conduct the fitting twice—once with commercial clothing based on standard sizing and once with the customized clothing—and then the answers were compared. Additionally, the participant in the customized clothing went through a behavioral testing which allowed us to objectively check on the comfortability, ease of movements, and fit of the garments.
Prototyping and Fitting
This project emphasizes the importance of conducting usability testing with potential users of the product. By conducting quantitative and qualitative research through data sampling, collection, analysis, and online/on-site questionnaires, I have been able to view the project in a bigger picture -- this viewpoint allowed me to iterate the design process, from ideation to prototyping, and to notice different fitting issues of the garment in an early stage. The key takeaway of the project was that although the measurement of the garments is correct and even if the garments fit the human body, design qualities, including the quality of fabrics and ease of movements, need to be considered to enhance the overall comfortability of garments.
Data from Survey
Fit
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65.2% of participants rated higher for Graupel Blouse in terms of Overall Fit
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68.2% of participants rated higher for Graupel Skirt in terms of Overall Fit
Comfort
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4.3% of participants rated higher for Graupel Blouse in terms of Overall Comfort
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13.6% of participants rated higher for Graupel Skirt in terms of Overall Comfort
Look
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52.2% of participants rated higher for Graupel Blouse in terms of Overall Look
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77.3% of participants rated higher for Graupel Skirt in terms of Overall Look
Thoughts
This project emphasized the importance of prototyping and conducting usability testing with participants once more. Through quantitative and qualitative research including data sample, data collection, data analysis and highly structured, rigid techniques such as online questionnaires and on-street, gave me oversee the project in bigger scale holistically as well as with detail-oriented - from idea development into manufacturing process as well as to the scope of checking the minor fitting issue of the garments. The most important take away was that although the measurements of the garments are correct and it "fits" perfectly, there are more factors such as the quality of fabrics, and ease of movements to consider in order to achieve the comfortability of garments.
After this pilot testing on their model on the 3D scanner, mobile interface, and customized clothes, Grapel now successfully launched their first product.
Graupel
