Designing a functional children’s swimming vest : creative process and evaluation

Abstract

The development of buoyant swimwear for children has traditionally faced challenges related to bulkiness and restricted movement. This study explores the design of a new generation of buoyant swimming vests utilizing knitted buoyant fabrics, aiming to enhance fit, comfort, and mobility. The research involved wearer trials to compare the performance of the knitted vest with two existing market samples, guided by a modified FEA Consumer Needs Model. Statistical analysis, including paired sample t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA, demonstrated that the knitted buoyant vest offers superior functionality, higher buoyancy, and significantly greater satisfaction in terms of fit, comfort, and mobility, meeting the standards of British Standard EN13138-1:2014. Aesthetic improvements were achieved by printing designs on the vest shell, with further evaluation of UV-curable inkjet printing effects on physical and visual properties. The design methodology and performance data provide valuable benchmarks for future development of buoyant swimwear for children. Findings from this study have been disseminated through academic publications and conference presentations.