Material Choices

I have chosen to keep the material choices quite plain and simple for the material outer. I am using fleece for the inner lining and then a cotton linen mix for the outer lining both of which will be neutral colours of white/cream.

The intention is that this is the piece which would be given as standard with the patient but that there would also be a subsidiary option where the patient can buy other covers in different colours and designs. By keeping the materials plain I also wanted to encourage the element of customisability. I made my brace my own and acceptable to me by having friends and family sign and draw on it which is something which I want to encourage other patients to do in whatever way they please whether it is to stitch on additional details or by using fabric paints.

More than just a Product Designer

The one thing I love about being a product designer is the ability to span into other specialism’s so that you can approach your work with a lot more of a multidisciplinary approach.

For example for this project I have covered everything from fashion to medicine and engineering. For me this is the best way to work as you develop a much broader perspective on your work. At the moment I am focusing on developing the material outer for the rigid panels to be put in. I have taken inspiration from corsetry design for this and have been working with a seamstress to develop this further as although I did the prototype myself I have taken it to them for the final to ensure it is a more respectable standard for the final presentation.

Pannel Prototypes

We are closing in fast on the final stages of the project and it is all about the refinement now of the panel shaping. Now that I am using the custom made mannequin it has made the moulding of the panels a lot easier. The final shape is very similar to that which we originally started with but with more refinement.

The structure of the panels is focused around complimenting a females curves and being sympathetic to that. Although a large number of females can be a dress size 8 there body shapes and measurements can be very different. By curving around under the bust and then around the stomach the panel aims to support the back and the curves of a female without limiting or being too constraining. For example existing designs consist of a solid form which provides quite a lot of pressure on the stomach which can make deep breathing difficult and you certainly wouldn’t be able to eat a big meal !!