Chan, Leanne (2008) An e-fashion shopping tool for home and away. (MSc(R) thesis), Kingston University, .

Abstract

Many fashion shoppers have negative experiences in clothes shopping, such as having to wait in a long queue to try on clothes in store changing room. This research aim is to design and implement a mobile application that would provide a solution to these problems. The application is a shopping aid that can be used at home and in-store. The outcome of this research project is a Virtual Wardrobe (VW) prototype designed and evaluated using user-centred design methodology. The prototype consists of two software components. One runs on Window mobile platform and the other is an online application that allows users to transfer data between the two platforms. VW contains a wardrobe management system (WMS) that store and keep track of the user's wardrobe content. VW has functionality that helps the user plan or to make decisions on what to wear or what to buy. It also has a virtual Try On feature that allows users to virtually try on store items or mix and match store items with items in the user's wardrobe at home. Users can also check stock items and make reservations for items that are out of stock. There are three main studies in this research: a Photo Diary study, usability testing of first VW prototype and usability testing of second VW prototype. The Photo Diary study asked participants to take photos to record their shopping trips for a month. The objective ofthe Photo Diary study is to understand shoppers and their shopping behaviour. The photos were posted to a website designed specially for the purpose. Data were analysed using a combination of card sorting and affinity diagram techniques. The findings from this study were used to refine VW requirements. For the usability testing, the objective was to evaluate the usability ofVW prototype and users' satisfaction with it. The results of the tests were then used to inform redesign of the prototype in the following iteration. The first test was a traditional usability test carried out in a laboratory environment whilst the second was conducted in a simulated clothes shop and in shopping context. Both tests gave positive results as participants liked the concept ofVW and found viewing wardrobe and shop clothes really useful during shopping. Some design problems were identified and recommendations were made.

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