SPATIAL VISUALIZATION ABILITY AMONG APPAREL DESIGN STUDENTS

The purpose of this study was to identify the spatial visualization ability among Apparel Design students by using specific spatial visualization tests. Based on previous studies, a number of students who enrolled in apparel design course found it difficult to transfer schematic two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional objects (3D), or vice-versa (Armstrong, 2006; Gitimu, 2005). Students admitted that it was difficult to visualize the graphical 3D objects in the 2D sketch. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine students' performance and strategies in responding to spatial visualization tests using the Apparel Spatial Visualization Ability Test (ASVT) and the Use of Strategy Questionnaire (USQ). A total of 99 Apparel Design students at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) were selected. In general, the study found that the respondents have moderate spatial visualization ability. Based on the findings, the authors suggest the curriculum of Apparel Design course at the university level should take into account aspect of spatial visualization ability for students in order to produce more creative and prolific designers for our fashion industry. Thus, the admission criteria for Apparel Design students should be based on the students’ scores of ASVT test and interview results.