Use of children's drawings and pictures in textile and fashion design

Paintings not only serve as a concrete reflection of children's developmental processes, individual talents, and inner worlds, but also serve as a means of psychological relaxation. The aim of this research is to adapt the colors, lines, shapes, and patterns presented by children during their pre-schematic (ages 4-7) and schematic (ages 7-9) stages of linear development into fabric designs, and to create clothing collections for girls and boys based on these designs. The aim is to create a world where children feel they belong, to utilize their artistic expressions in the fields of textiles and fashion, and to transform these expressions into artistic and design value. The research is based on paintings created by children in the pre-schematic (ages 4- 7) and schematic (ages 7-9) stages, two crucial stages in child development, around a given topic. The colors, lines, shapes, and patterns in these paintings were transferred to digital media, transformed into graphic patterns, and applied to 100% cotton fabrics using digital printing. The newly designed fabrics were used in clothing designs for girls and boys. It is believed that products inspired by the colors, lines, shapes, and patterns found in drawings made in the pre-schematic and schematic periods will evoke a sense of belonging in children's worlds. Therefore, this research is considered significant because it contributes to children's expression of emotions and thoughts through art and demonstrates that colors, lines, shapes, and patterns can be used in various disciplines related to children. Today, in ready-to-wear products within the children's clothing sector, designs are often created from an adult perspective and based on stereotypical themes. This leads to the individual drawings created by children's imagination being overlooked and the emotional connection children form with their clothes being limited. This research aimsto fill this gap, demonstrating that seeing children's own drawings on their own clothes can contribute to their self-confidence, creativity, and artistic awareness. It is emphasized that children's drawings are not merely works of art but also aesthetic and unique visual elements that can be used in clothing design. The garment production process involves digitizing the children's drawings, creating patterns, applying them to fabric, and sewing the final product. This creates a creative connection between children's imagination and fashion design. At the same time, thanks to this approach, children will experience the feeling of not only being consumers but also being active participants in the clothing design process as they browse stores. The research determined that children's drawing skills are not only a form of aesthetic expression but are also directly related to their cognitive and motor development. It can be said that children's drawings parallel the characteristics of their developmental stages. In this context, the research has revealed that children's drawings and paintings are a powerful resource for creating an aesthetic, creative, and emotional language in fashion and textile design; they have also made significant contributions to the development of a child-centered design approach. It is believed that this approach can be an inspiring method not only for individual design products but also for brands producing on a commercial scale. It is envisioned that with the expansion of similar studies in the future, children's creative potential can be utilized in broader areas and their freedom of artistic expression can be supported.