DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
CLJTAJJT : The main principle behind my design is human-centered innovation —creating solutions that enhance comfort, usability, and well-being by integrating design with advanced technology. The core idea of my work is to bridge design and science , particularly through smart textiles that respond to real-life needs.
My inspiration often comes from scientific systems and natural processes . For example, the concept behind ChromaHeat AI was inspired by fuzzy logic-based temperature control systems used in air conditioners. This led me to explore how similar principles, enhanced by AI, could be applied to e-textiles to improve personal thermal comfort. By combining data-driven decision-making with responsive materials, I aim to design products that are both intelligent and empathetic—capable of adapting to people and their environments.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
CLJTAJJT : The main focus in designing ChromaHeat AI was to develop a smart, responsive textile system that can intelligently regulate temperature based on both environmental conditions and individual user profiles. Our goal was to achieve personalized thermal comfort through the integration of artificial intelligence, conductive materials, and woven fabric structures.
What we wanted to achieve with this work was a functional, user-centered solution that goes beyond traditional textile applications—something that adapts in real-time, improves well-being, and reflects the future of wearable technology. We aimed to bridge the gap between research and real-life use by creating a system that is not only technically advanced but also wearable, functional, and accessible.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
CLJTAJJT : Our future plans for the ChromaHeat AI design focus on enhancing its functionality and bringing it closer to market readiness . We aim to expand and diversify the dataset used to train the AI model, which will improve its ability to provide personalized thermal regulation for a wider range of users.
In addition, we are currently exploring the development of a cooling function , so the system can offer both heating and cooling capabilities —creating a comprehensive temperature-regulating solution for e-textiles. Our long-term goal is to finalize the product and commercialize it , making intelligent thermal-wear a practical and impactful option for everyday use in fashion, healthcare, and outdoor applications.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
CLJTAJJT : The design and development of ChromaHeat AI took approximately four years from concept to working prototype. This included extensive phases of research, material testing, textile fabrication, performance evaluation , and AI model development . The entire process was iterative, involving countless refinements to ensure the system was not only technically effective but also user-centered and wearable.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
CLJTAJJT : This design has not been commissioned—it is currently a prototype and a concept our team pursued, inspired by my academic research and interest in human-centered smart textiles. During my PhD studies, I saw a gap in how personal thermal comfort could be intelligently managed through wearable technology. Drawing inspiration from fuzzy logic systems used in air-conditioning, I wanted to explore how AI-driven temperature regulation could be applied to e-textiles .
The idea behind ChromaHeat AI came from a desire to create a solution that would combine functionality, adaptability, and comfort , while also pushing the boundaries of what textiles can do. It was a pursuit of innovation driven by curiosity, research, and a strong belief in the possibilities of design and technology working together to improve daily life.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
CLJTAJJT : At this stage, the design is in the advanced prototyping phase , and we are actively working on enhancing its functionality to prepare it for market release. We are open to exploring partnerships or licensing opportunities with companies that share our vision for innovative, human-centered smart textiles. Whether through direct production or strategic collaboration, our goal is to bring ChromaHeat AI to applications in healthcare , and other industries where intelligent thermal comfort can make a meaningful difference.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
CLJTAJJT : What inspired me to design this particular type of work was the desire to improve personal thermal comfort through intelligent, human-centered solutions. During my time working with flexible heating systems and through my academic research, I realized that existing thermal wearables often lacked adaptability and user specificity.
I saw an opportunity to bridge the fields of textile design, artificial intelligence, and material science to create an advanced system that could respond dynamically to individual needs and environmental changes. The concept behind ChromaHeat AI emerged from this realization—combining woven textile structures , conductive materials , and machine learning to design a product that not only functions effectively but also aligns with the growing expectations for smart, responsive, and wearable technologies.
Ultimately, it was the intersection of science, compassion, and innovation that drove me to create this work.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
CLJTAJJT : Yes, there were several influences that helped shape the design of ChromaHeat AI . One of the most significant was Professor Jeanne Tan , whose pioneering work in polymeric optical fiber-based illuminative textiles deeply inspired my approach to smart fabric integration. Her vision of blending technology with design for applications in fashion, interior, and rehabilitation has greatly influenced my thinking.
In addition, I also drew inspiration from intelligent control systems used in industrial design—particularly fuzzy logic-based temperature regulation in air conditioners. This concept showed me how environmental responsiveness could be translated into personal wearables through an AI-powered textile interface.
While ChromaHeat AI is an original concept developed by our team, it's built on the foundation of interdisciplinary innovation and influenced by both design mentors and real-world technological systems that prioritize user adaptability and functionality.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
CLJTAJJT : The target customers for the illuminative textiles include fashion designers and interior designers who are looking to integrate smart, responsive textile technologies into their creative projects.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
CLJTAJJT : What sets ChromaHeat AI apart from other similar concepts is its integration of artificial intelligence to deliver personalized, real-time thermal regulation through a woven textile system . Unlike traditional heated garments that offer limited, manual temperature settings, ChromaHeat AI uses an AI-powered predictive model —trained on user profiles and environmental data—to automatically adjust heating levels for optimal thermal comfort .
Additionally, ChromaHeat AI incorporates illuminative functionality , enabling the textile to change color in response to heating, which provides not only a visual indicator of the system’s operation but also an aesthetic enhancement. The use of woven conductive yarns and polymeric optical fibers makes the fabric flexible, durable, and suitable for real-life applications in fashion, interiors, and rehabilitation.
This holistic approach—merging data-driven intelligence, user-centered design, visual interactivity, and advanced textile engineering—is what truly distinguishes ChromaHeat AI from other smart textile products.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
CLJTAJJT : The name ChromaHeat AI was carefully chosen to reflect the core functions and innovation behind the design. 'Chroma' refers to the color-changing feature of the fabric, which visually indicates thermal activity through integrated illuminative fibers. 'Heat' highlights the temperature-regulating function of the e-textile, which delivers warmth in response to environmental and user-specific conditions. Finally, 'AI' signifies the use of artificial intelligence to personalize and automate temperature control based on real-time data and predictive modeling.
Together, ChromaHeat AI represents an intelligent textile system that combines heat, color, and smart adaptability —merging aesthetics and function in a wearable, data-driven solution.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
CLJTAJJT : For the development of ChromaHeat AI , we utilized a combination of textile design tools , hardware systems , and software platforms . To design and produce the woven structure, we used the CCI/SL7900 Rapier Sample Loom , which allowed us to integrate conductive yarns and optical fibers precisely into the fabric.
To evaluate heating efficiency, we used an infrared camera , which helped us visualize and analyze temperature distribution across different textile structures. For the AI component, we employed the Scikit-learn Machine Learning library in Python to develop and train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model that predicts and adjusts heating levels based on user and environmental data.
These tools together supported a research-driven, iterative design process , allowing us to fine-tune both the material properties and intelligent control system of the textile.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
CLJTAJJT : The most unique aspect of ChromaHeat AI is its ability to intelligently regulate temperature through a woven textile system , powered by an AI-driven predictive model . What truly sets it apart is the integration of personalized thermal comfort —the system adapts in real time based on a user’s physiological profile and changing environmental conditions.
In addition, the textile’s color-changing illuminative effect adds a visual and interactive dimension, making the experience not only functional but also emotionally engaging. This fusion of smart materials, artificial intelligence, and woven craftsmanship creates a design that is both technologically advanced and wearable, which is a rare combination in the current landscape of smart textiles.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
CLJTAJJT : Yes, ChromaHeat AI was developed through interdisciplinary collaboration with experts from both design and technical backgrounds. I worked closely with my PhD supervisor, Professor Jeanne Tan from the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who provided expertise in intelligent textile design and polymeric optical fiber integration .
I also collaborated with engineer Jun Jong Tan , who contributed specialized knowledge in system development and hardware integration , particularly in embedding functional components like heating elements, sensors, and developing the control system.
This project would not have been possible without this cross-disciplinary teamwork , bringing together design creativity, textile engineering, and AI technology to create a truly innovative and functional smart textile system.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
CLJTAJJT : Technology plays a central role in ChromaHeat AI , serving as the foundation for its functionality and innovation. The design incorporates artificial intelligence to enable personalized, real-time temperature regulation based on individual user profiles and environmental conditions. Using a trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN) , the system predicts and adjusts the heating levels intelligently.
Additionally, conductive yarns and polymeric optical fibers are woven into the textile to deliver both thermal response and visual feedback through a color-changing effect. The use of infrared imaging during development further allowed us to monitor and optimize performance.
Overall, technology transforms this textile from a passive material into an interactive, responsive, and adaptive system , redefining how garments and fabrics can support personal comfort and well-being.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
CLJTAJJT : Yes, ChromaHeat AI is deeply influenced by data and analytical research . The entire design process was built upon a research-driven framework, beginning with a comprehensive literature review on thermal comfort, smart textiles, and user-centered design. One key finding from the research was that the upper back torso is among the most thermally sensitive areas of the human body—this insight helped define the strategic placement of the heating zone.
We also conducted subject testing to collect physiological and environmental data—including user-specific factors such as age, gender, height, and weight , as well as variables like ambient temperature, humidity, and air velocity . This data was used to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model via Scikit-learn in Python , allowing the textile system to intelligently predict the most suitable heating temperature for individual users.
In short, this design is a balance of creativity and technical accuracy , and it would not have been possible without an extensive process of data collection, pattern recognition, and applied machine learning to make informed, adaptive design decisions.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
CLJTAJJT : One of the main challenges in designing and realizing ChromaHeat AI was the integration of multiple complex systems —textile design, thermal regulation, and artificial intelligence—into a single cohesive and wearable product. Balancing flexibility, comfort, and functionality in a woven textile structure while embedding conductive yarns and optical fibers required extensive prototyping and material testing.
Another significant challenge was the lack of open-source data related to factors like user age, gender, body size, and environmental conditions in relation to thermal comfort. To overcome this, we conducted our own subject tests to gather the necessary data, which was then used to train the AI model. This process was time-consuming and demanded high precision to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the system.
Additionally, because Hong Kong doesn’t experience extreme cold weather, conducting outdoor performance tests for the heating textile was limited. To address this, we performed controlled indoor experiments to simulate a range of environmental conditions.
Despite these challenges, overcoming each hurdle helped refine the project into a truly innovative and user-responsive design.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
CLJTAJJT : I decided to submit ChromaHeat AI to an international design competition because I wanted to share our research-driven innovation with a global audience and receive professional recognition that extends beyond the academic and scientific community. The A’ Design Award, in particular, stood out as a respected platform that values interdisciplinary and socially impactful design —which aligns perfectly with the goals of this project.
Submitting to an international competition was also a strategic decision to validate our work , gain exposure , and build meaningful connections across industries , from tech and fashion to healthcare and interior design. It’s an opportunity to showcase how intelligent textiles can play a transformative role in daily life, and it helps open doors for future collaborations, funding, and commercialization .
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
CLJTAJJT : Designing ChromaHeat AI was a transformative learning experience that allowed me to grow significantly as both a researcher and designer . One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration —working closely with engineers, textile specialists, and AI developers taught me to communicate across technical boundaries and foster a shared vision.
I also deepened my understanding of user-centered design methods , especially when collecting and analyzing data to guide function and usability. Developing and applying an AI-powered control system not only expanded my technical skill set but also showed me the value of real-time adaptability in creating meaningful experiences for users.
Perhaps most importantly, this project taught me the value of iteration and resilience . There were many challenges, from material limitations to data collection hurdles, but each challenge pushed me to think creatively, refine my process, and remain flexible. As a result, I emerged more confident in integrating design with research, and better equipped to lead future innovations in smart textiles.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
CLJTAJJT : One additional point I’d like to highlight is the role of knowledge transfer and commercialization in our work. Following the development of ChromaHeat AI , our team established a spin-off company, GERI LIMITED , which focuses on the production and customization of illuminative fabrics . This step allows us to take our research beyond the lab and bring it into real-world applications across fashion, interior design, and healthcare.
We’re particularly passionate about creating accessible, human-centered smart textiles that not only serve functional needs but also open new creative possibilities for designers and industry professionals. We’re always looking for new collaborators and partners who share our vision of merging design, science, and technology in ways that improve daily life.
Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude for platforms like the A' Design Award that recognize interdisciplinary innovation. It’s through opportunities like these that researchers and designers can gain visibility, share knowledge, and inspire progress across global design communities.
