Research on the Visual Presentation and User Experience of Art Design in Wearable Smart Textiles

The functionalization of textile substrates with smart materials has enabled new forms of wearable technology, shifting the focus from purely functional applications to human-centered design. However, the impact of aesthetic choices on the user experience (UX) of interactive textiles—particularly the visual presentation of their dynamic coloration—remains underexplored. This study investigates how two specific patterns, selected to represent a contrast between a simple, structured geometric design and a complex, organic biomimetic design, influence user responses to photochromic smart textiles. We conducted a controlled experiment (N = 40) in which participants were exposed to two distinct dynamic patterns—a geometric grid and a biomimetic pattern—applied via screen printing of photochromic dyes onto a cotton-blend fabric. The patterns were activated by UV light to induce a color change. User experience was quantified using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) for valence/arousal and scales for Perceived Visual Understandability and Technology Acceptance (TAM). Results revealed that the biomimetic pattern elicited a significantly higher emotional valence (p < .001) and was perceived as more aesthetically pleasing. Conversely, no significant difference was found in visual understandability, indicating that the core functionality of the textile’s color-changing property was perceived equally. These findings provide empirical evidence that, in the context of this comparison, the organic and visually complex nature of the biomimetic pattern was a critical factor in shaping a more positive affective dimension of user experience. This research underscores the necessity of integrating aesthetic design principles into the textile engineering and apparel design process to create more desirable and resonant interactive textile products.