The development of a digital apparel spatial visualization test

Abstract

The Apparel Spatial Visualization Test (ASVT) has been validated as an accurate measure of spatial visualization skills specific to the apparel discipline. The increasingly digital fashion industry requires apparel professionals to understand 2D to 3D transformations in virtual space. The purpose of this study was to develop a digital version of the ASVT using EFI Optitex and validate it as an accurate measure for testing apparel design students’ spatial visualization skills. Students in two levels of apparel design classes completed the Surface Development Test (SDT), the ASVT, and the Digital Apparel Spatial Visualization Test (DASVT) in a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design. The spatial tests were positively correlated. Students’ scores on the SDT and DASVT were significantly higher after indirect training, while no significant difference was found for scores on the ASVT after indirect training. The DASVT is an accurate measure of spatial visualization skills specific to the apparel discipline.