The Psychological Mechanism of Designer's Aesthetic Empathy in Mediating AI-Assisted Color Extraction and Modern Fashion Integration: Addressing Anxiety and Emotional Stress in Creative Processes
Yaxin Chen, Yue Wang, Xiang LiAbstract
Objective
This study investigates the mediating role of designers' aesthetic empathy in integrating AI-extracted color schemes from intangible cultural heritage (ICH) clothing into modern fashion design, with particular focus on how this psychological factor influences creative anxiety, work-related stress, and emotional well-being throughout the design process.
Subjects and Methods
A mixed-methods study engaged 45 professional fashion designers who completed the Aesthetic Empathy Scale and psychological assessments measuring anxiety levels (GAD-7) and perceived stress (PSS) before creating designs using AI-extracted color palettes from Chinese ICH costumes. The research process included AI analysis of ICH textiles, designer creative sessions with physiological stress monitoring, and expert evaluations incorporating mental health indicators.
Results
Designers with higher aesthetic empathy demonstrated significantly better color integration (β = 0.68, p < 0.01) and 40% lower anxiety levels during creative processes. Aesthetic empathy mediated 42% of the relationship between AI extraction and successful integration, while reducing work-related stress by 35%. High-empathy designers showed better emotional regulation, with their designs receiving superior ratings for cultural preservation (p < 0.05) and consumer preference (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
Aesthetic empathy serves as a crucial psychological mechanism in bridging AI technology and traditional culture, while effectively mitigating anxiety and stress in design processes. Developing this empathic ability can complement technological tools in fashion design, promoting both cultural sustainability and designers' psychological well-being.
Corresponding Author
Yue Wang, Xinjiang Industry Technical College, College of Fashion and Textiles, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830021, China.