Finally: Thesis is printed, bound and ready to be submitted :)

After a long and interesting journey, this master's thesis is finally ready for submission. Yesterday I could pick up it up from the bookbinder. Lots of handwork also in the binding. But I think the result looks good :) I m very happy, thanks again for everyone involved in the project. I would be glad to share the thesis with anyone interested, just drop me a line al.hirscher{at}gmail.com and I ll send you the preview PDF.

Some images plus abstract below. 
Next week I ll be presenting some research result at 'crafting the future' in Gothenburg, I am quite excited and nervous already... Looking forward to whats next!!!!


Joyful participation in new ways of designing and making clothes. 
Enabling person-prodcut attachment to potentially reduce unnecessary consumption. 

Abstract

This master's thesis investigates design opportunities to motivate and enable sustainable consumer behaviour, especially regarding wasteful fashion and clothing consumption. A literature review provides a theoretical framework and builds background knowledge for three explorative case studies. These practice-led case studies gradually increase the user-involvement in sustainable consumption behaviour. Each case study elaborates a particular research question, evaluating the opportunities to change consumer behaviour with a different design approach. The case studies build upon one another, thus the third case study is discussed in most detail. Selected findings from these three case studies provide an insight to the possibilities of design for person-product attachment with participatory design concepts like 'half-way products': design objects which are intentionally 'unfinished'.

The conclusion drawn is that designers can enable a joyful participation in clothes making, for example with half-way products, and thus foster a stronger emotional value towards garments. This emotional value is likely to facilitate a stronger person-product attachment and encourage longer lasting products. Additionally, the research shows that the participatory design concept – 'half-way product' was very much appreciated. The study concludes with possible future prospects.