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Inclusive Innovations Laboratory

Inclusive Innovations Laboratory Empowering Innovations for Inclusive Fashion

The Inclusive Innovations Lab (IIL) is a dynamic group of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate researchers dedicated to creating wearable product design solutions inclusive of diverse groups of people.

The IIL takes an active part in centering marginalized consumer’s voices in the design and product development process. We advance the theory of product creation by applying user-centered design and inclusive design ideologies.

Research Areas

Cotton Incorporated Featured Project

Good design is known for being innovative, useful, aesthetically pleasing, and long-lasting. Students in the Colorado State University Department of Design and Merchandising’s Product Development concentration are incorporating all of these principles along with a focus on inclusivity for consumers with physical and cognitive differences.

Inclusive Design in the Classroom

In this curriculum, students explore performance cotton as a mechanism to solve apparel-related problems experienced by people with disabilities. This project is a synthesis of IIL research and teaching experiences aimed at addressing clothing-related problems for people with disabilities using cotton performance technologies.

Vision and Mission The core beliefs of the ILL are:

User-Centered Design

We believe in User-Centered Design (UCD) practices where designers and researchers should work together to develop products with users. UCD considers the wearer or user as an integral part of the design process and views them as having valuable contributions to push design innovation.

Technology Enhanced Design

We believe better design is possible through technology. As 3D data becomes more available, we believe that designers can use 3D design and advanced prototyping technologies in the design process to push innovation.

Accessible and Equitably

We believe every person deserves to have access to clothing that represents their identity and meets their needs, especially those often overlooked by mass-market apparel brands.

Research and Teaching Integration

We believe in integrating these principles and research areas in the classroom to enhance student’s learning. If students are prepared to design for underserved markets, they will excel in all aspects of the fashion industry.

ILL Research

Custom Paralympic Shooting Jacket - Kayna Hobbs-Murphy TEDxCSU Talk

Kayna Hobbs Speaking at TedxCSU event

See Me - Adaptive Rain Kit for People Who Use a Wheelchair for Mobility Assistance

Afterglow: An Equitable Approach to Design

Afterglow coat backview
Research Areas
  • Amplifying Experiences Amplifying Experiences of product design through seamless and coordinated focused development
  • Innovative Product Design Developing novel wearable product innovations with cutting-edge prototyping technologies
  • Inclusion & Collaboration Advancing the theory of product creation by applying user-centered design and inclusive design ideologies