Abstract

Design has a rich iconographic based tradition of information transfer with its roots stretching back many millennia. This topic is evolving into a new on and off screen visual language embedded in our daily interaction with an ever expanding range of physical and virtual tools. There is a need to be able to interpret the information presented through this new language with the result that vital meaning can be “lost in translation” between the conceptual development of the product and the amalgamation of technical functionality and needs of the end user. This is particularly important in emerging disciplines such as Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology, bringing together a wide range of cross disciplinary skills and technical expertise. The challenge is particularly evident when attempting to create an understanding of potentially complex technical functions and benefits within the smart clothes space when addressing niche vertical markets such as the active ageing, where the “end user” may not be familiar with either the terminology or the emerging visual language.