Research Through Design: Solutions to Mitigate Fast Fashion

Abstract

Purpose: This thesis utilizes a Research through Design approach to address the increasing demand of fast-fashion and the over consumption of clothing by proposing a design output for social media users to mitigate their individual ultra-fast fashion consumption rates and to consider buying from more sustainable sources. Methodology: The overarching research question is, does convenience, cost, style, and trendiness influence social media users’ fast-fashion consumption habits? Three research types were used to answer the research question: survey, concept testing, interviews, and prototype design. Findings: Most participants are clothing pricing sensitive, have a lack of fashion environmental education, have no understanding of how their purchases impact the environment and are not influenced to purchase impulsively from various social media pressures. Implications: Future technological solutions should need to incorporate pricing and budgeting features, address both environmental and illustrate everyone’s personal impact through their shopping choices. More research needs to be conducted to understand the correlation between impulse purchasing behavior, social media usage and age.