Research

CADS research and creative scholarship advances creative leadership in the Science of Design through the integration of consumer sciences, technology, and design & creativity. CADS research and creative scholarship is transdisciplinary, collaborative, and consumer-centered, focused on the goal of human sustainability. Utilizing cutting edge technologies and methodologies, CADS’ research and creative scholarship address consumer and business needs locally and globally.

CADS research and creative scholarship converge in three core areas –Consumer Sciences, Technology, and Design & Creativity to focus on creating solutions to quality of life issues.

Design Technologies
Use of avatars as an intervention strategy to help prevent childhood and adolescent obesity
E-Portfolios as a Communication, Placement, and PR resource

Virtual Agent Technologies
To improve senior consumers’ access to the Internet
To improve senior consumers’ access to e-pharmacy resources

Multi-Channel Retailing
Multicultural customers
Global retailing

Neuroscience
Use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to increase understanding of consumer decision making
Use of fMRI to understand aesthetic preferences for design

Health and Wellness
Healing healthcare environments

Design Technologies
Use of avatars as an intervention strategy to help prevent childhood and adolescent obesity
E-Portfolios as a Communication, Placement, and PR resource

Virtual Agent Technologies
To improve senior consumers’ access to the Internet
To improve senior consumers’ access to e-pharmacy resources

Multi-Channel Retailing
Multicultural customers
Global retailing

Neuroscience
Use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to increase understanding of consumer decision making
Use of fMRI to understand aesthetic preferences for design

3D Body Scanning
Improve consumer sizing and fit strategies
Conduct longitudinal studies benchmarking likelihood of obesity in the American population

Consumer Decision Making
Shifting male consumer culture
Large scale Brand sorting tool

Small Business Development
Enhance viability of small business through e-commerce
Develop social network site to provide small business with venue for knowledge exchange and communications
Develop model to demonstrate importance of effective visual communications

Sustainability
Develop holistic approaches to sustainable & socially responsible solutions for industry systems related to apparel product development, retailing and interior design

Faculty
CADS research and creative scholarship is advanced through the innovation and collaboration of scholars in design, consumer behavior, product development, omni-channel retailing, neuro decision making, sustainability and social responsibility.
CADS Faculty Profiles

Collaborations and Partnerships
MRI Center
The functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Center in Auburn University’s Research Park is a resource for collaboration between the healthcare industry in the community and the researchers at Auburn University. CADS faculty team with researchers in Engineering and Psychology to better understand the science of neuro decision making related to consumer purchases and health care decisions.

RFID Lab
The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Lab is a multidisciplinary collaboration of faculty in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, the College of Human Sciences, and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. The Lab specializes in the business case and technical implementation of radio frequency identification in retail, supply chain, and manufacturing settings. A model retail store, the 95% store, is available to demonstrate cutting edge technology and provide a site for consumer decision making research.


Facilities and Equipment
Industrial and home sewing machines
SizeStream 3D Body Scanner which uses infrared depth sensor technology to map the surface of the subject
Mutoh Digital TexUle Printer & Heat Press
FDM 3D Printer
Plotter
Portable scanner with iPad
Video Conferencing such as zoom
Computer Technology
  Both PC and Mac computers
  Solware packages include:
    Gerber Pa_ern Design System
    Gerber Marking System
    Gerber AccuMark
    OpUtex 2D & 2D
    Adobe programs
    Autodesk AutoCAD
    Autodesk Revit
    SketchUp Pro
    Enscape
    Rhino 3D Solware
    SPSS & Amos
    M-Plus
    NVivo
    R solware