Editor's Note

Abstract

In an era where intelligent technologies such as generative artificial intelligence and flexible electronics are deeply integrated with design, digital intelligence is reconstructing the underlying logic and practical paradigms of the design discipline from the tool level. It provides unprecedented technological pathways for the creative transformation of traditional cultural resources, enabling endangered crafts and artistic symbols to gain new vitality in digital spaces. Simultaneously, it redefines the ways humans interact with objects and environments, extending design practice from the creation of form toward the construction of systems and the innovation of experiences. This issue of Fashion Technology focuses on the theme of “Digital Intelligence-Driven Transformation of Design Paradigms”, presenting ten research articles that combine theoretical insight with practical innovation. These studies collectively explore contemporary advances at the intersection of technology and culture from three perspectives: the digital translation of intangible cultural heritage, the development of intelligent wearable and interactive systems, and methodological as well as ethical reflections on digital design.

The first group of articles investigates the digital translation of intangible cultural heritage and generative design innovation, demonstrating the transformative potential of AIGC technologies in preserving and revitalizing traditional crafts. Addressing challenges such as stylistic homogenization and the difficulty of digitally preserving craftsmanship, these studies establish comprehensive technological frameworks spanning cultural gene decoding, controllable generation, and practical application. Gaoya Xu, Jinyan Dong, and Shanshan Li employ bibliometric visualization methods to systematically review three decades of research on Chinese velvet flowers, identifying three major research themes—cultural and creative development, living heritage transmission, and digital preservation—and providing quantitative evidence for future research directions. Xinru Li, Qinting Feng, Xinliang Fang, and Xiaowei Song construct a systematic visual dictionary based on the visual characteristics of Han Dynasty pictorial stone carvings, transforming compositional principles, visual language, and symbolic systems into computable design parameters, thereby establishing a standardized methodology for the contemporary reinterpretation of traditional imagery. Jiyao Zhang, Ruoyun Sun, and Yan Yan address the technical challenges of generating marbled ceramic patterns by introducing a card-sorting method that converts abstract aesthetic perceptions into trainable labels. Their work develops a style-specific LoRA model and a controllable generation workflow capable of producing patterns consistent with ceramic craftsmanship logic. Jinghan Yang, Xuli Jia, and Yi Liu focus on Dunhuang decorative motifs and establish an integrated workflow encompassing digital extraction, style transfer, carrier matching, and scenario rendering, demonstrating the efficiency and reproducibility of modular generative design processes. Xiyi Yang, Xinrui Wang, and Ye Yuan investigate the characteristic crackle patterns of Xiangyunsha silk fabric, developing a high-quality texture dataset and multidimensional annotation framework that support the training of an advanced LoRA model integrating material, morphological, and decorative attributes.  Yihong Zhao, Xiaoqian Ma, Yifan Song, and Zhiyin Liang explore the structural color aesthetics and inlay characteristics of mother-of-pearl craftsmanship, creating a dedicated pattern database and employing prompt engineering alongside parametric control to accurately simulate iridescent effects, thereby expanding the application of traditional crafts in virtual jewelry and metaverse related digital assets.

This issue also includes research on intelligent garments and interactive systems, highlighting the growing potential of flexible sensing technologies in wearable design. Neshat Sarmen Mim, Linfeng Fei, and Mengru Xue developed a neck-worn breathing guidance system designed to address stress accumulation and unconscious shallow breathing among freelancers working from home. By utilizing accelerometers positioned near the clavicle to capture respiratory movements non-invasively and providing synchronized vibrotactile and visual feedback, the system enables low-attention breathing guidance and demonstrates the value of calm technology in everyday health interventions. Qiruonan Li, Zhibo Song, Xintong Peng, and Xianghui Cao transcend the limitations of static displays in traditional opera costumes by integrating origami-inspired structures with flexible capacitive sensing technology. Through multi-material 3D printing, they developed a self-sensing costume for the Peking Opera Wudan role type and established an interactive system linking body movements, capacitance changes, and real-time particle-based visual feedback, transforming traditional costume design from a visual medium into an intelligent interactive interface. Yurui He and Fan Zhang developed a sandwich-structured textile capacitive pressure sensor that achieves stable pressure sensing through optimized conductive textile materials and sensor architecture. Integrated into wearable systems, this technology offers a lightweight and adaptive solution for human–robot collaboration in complex emergency and disaster-response environments.

In addition, Guihan Yu, Yunzhuo Di, and Yijun Zhou address societal concerns arising from rapid technological advancement. Utilizing LDA topic modeling and SnowNLP sentiment analysis, they systematically analyze public comments regarding AI-powered smart homes and identify three major ethical concerns. Building upon these findings, the authors employ speculative design methods to envision future living scenarios characterized by varying levels of machine intelligence, exploring the boundaries of human–AI relationships under different technological trajectories. Their work proposes responsible AI design principles, providing valuable ethical guidance for the development of intelligent home products in the digital age.

Collectively, the articles in this special issue—from the digital revitalization of traditional craftsmanship to innovations in future human-centered interactions, and from technological exploration to ethical reflection—demonstrate the growing trend toward interdisciplinary integration within contemporary design research. Rooted in diverse cultural traditions while responding to the global challenge of cultural digitalization, these studies also address real-world needs and aspirations for more humane and sustainable futures. We believe that the insights presented in this issue will offer valuable theoretical references and practical inspiration to scholars, designers, and industry practitioners worldwide, fostering deeper integration between digital technologies and design innovation. Through such efforts, cultural heritage can flourish anew in the digital era, while future technological products can embody greater humanistic value. We sincerely thank our readers for their continued interest in and support of Fashion Technology. We look forward to exploring the limitless possibilities of design in the age of digital intelligence together and advancing the role of design in improving human life and society.

June 2026