Glossary

In environmental and scientific contexts, abiotic refers to the non-living physical and chemical elements of an ecosystem - such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and air. These factors shape environments and influence how living organisms (biotic factors) behave and survive.

At UAL, understanding abiotic elements can be useful in practices like sustainable design, site-specific art, or environmental storytelling - where the material world and natural systems directly inform creative work.

A design approach that allows objects, structures, or systems to adjust dynamically to environmental changes. 

Please note that in the context of fashion, the term "adaptive" typically refers to adaptive clothing, which is designed specifically to meet the needs of people with disabilities or limited mobility. This includes features like easy fastenings (e.g. magnetic closures), seated wear for wheelchair users, or garments that accommodate medical devices. It is a recognised and specialist area within inclusive or accessible design.

However, "adaptive" can also carry broader meanings in other contexts—such as adaptive reuse, adaptive systems, or even adaptive fashion in the sense of responsive or smart textiles (e.g. materials that respond to the environment). So depending on the broader discourse, "adaptive" might not only refer to disability design.