ABSTRACT

The study investigated design practices of garment producers (fashion designer, tailor and seamstresses) in urban and rural areas of Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and Eket Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. Multistage sampling method was used to arrive at population of 692 while simple random sampling method was used to draw sample size of 381 and purposive sampling method was used to arrived at locations. Six research questions were addressed in line with the objectives of the study. The research design employed to elicit information was simple survey. A five point scale structured questionnaire in line with the research questions was validated by 5 validators, instruments was pretested on 10 Fashion designers from Ikot Ekpene and Uyo who did not form part of the final work. The Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was used to test the internal consistency and reliability of the instrument. The reliability coefficient of instrument was 0.87.The questionnaire was administered to respondents from the three local government areas in Akwa Ibom State. 346 questionnaires were finally certified and analyzed. The data were analyzed using mean statistics to answer the six research question; t-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result were analyzed and presented in tables. The result revealed that line, shape, form and texture of fabric were elements of design available to the designers. They also utilized the following design elements- line, texture of fabrics, and colour in the designing. They also took into consideration the principles of design, namely proportion, rhythm, balance and harmony during designing. The study also identified 15 factors that account for non utilization of the elements of design. Methods of application of the elements of design and problem encountered in the use of the elements of design by apparel manufacturers were identified. The result also showed that the four hypotheses formulated and tested using t-test statistics to know the mean score responses of urban and rural respondents in the research questions were all accepted. Furthermore all the t-calculated values were less than t-value of 1.96. Any difference that existed between the pair of opinion was not statistically significant. Based on the findings of the study, and that of hypotheses, coupled with the discussions of the findings, it was recommended that, the professionals/trainers in clothing related activities should develop programme, organize workshops and seminars that will regularly sensitize, refresh and retrain apparel manufacturers among others