Discovering the potential of functional products in textile and fashion design and sample application

In the era of technology, the concept of design has become widespread and highly developed, reaching a point where even designers themselves encounter uncontrollable aspects. Design has emerged as a significant presence in every aspect of human life, encompassing psychological, sociological, and technological factors. This research, in this wise, aims to examine the fundamentals of design and elucidate the stages of the design process, focusing specifically on the textile and fashion domain. Investigations and analyses were carried out to shed light on the subject matter, leading to the implementation of a practical example.The research adopts a descriptive approach, and data were collected through two different methods. Firstly, a problem-based design research was conducted, accompanied by a questionnaire survey. The problem-based design research involved the development of a design for children's personal living spaces, their rooms thatserve as areas where children play, live, sleep, and learn. The objective of this study is to design a functional and aesthetic product for these living spaces, with the aim of teaching responsibilities through play. A touchable panel was designed as an educational game area, serving as a reminder of the duties that should not be forgotten. The illuminated wall panel in the room will gradually dim as bedtime approaches, signalling the completion of each responsibility that needs to be fulfilled. By fulfilling their responsibilities, children will observe the LEDs in their surroundings gradually turning off. The product is designed to provide a sense of happiness as each small square is turned off, making it an indispensable, functional, and aesthetic item, particularly for children in their early learning stages. The questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the designed product and involved 248 students from both primary and secondary schools in the Şahinbey district of Gaziantep, Türkiye.The results obtained from the research indicate that the designed product has a positive impact on individuals' character and behaviour, contributing to their success in social lives.