Co-designing for equity: Personalised 3D printed assistive healthcare technologies for individuals with physical disabilities
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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Date
2024
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Master’s Programme in Design
Language
en
Pages
58+2
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Abstract
The emerging capabilities of additive manufacturing offer distinct opportunities for delivering small-scale, personalised design solutions. When combined with co-design tools, this creates new possibilities to address unique needs, including the needs of individuals with physical disabilities. This thesis research carried out three case studies focused on enhancing the quality of life of individuals living with physical disabilities through delivering personalised design objects for them. The methodological approach of combining co-design tools with additive manufacturing techniques relied on expert interviews, user journey mapping, affinity diagramming and design validation activities. The thesis outputs are three personalised design objects developed as well as a specialised design process guide that could be used in future social design initiatives that aim to combine a co-design approach with additive manufacturing. The thesis found that using additive manufacturing for the purposes of co-design can facilitate a high level of user involvement both in the design and manufacturing phases. Furthermore, it establishes personalised collaboration and efficiency, and can also lead to design outputs that improve individual’s quality of life through improved product functions, user independence, and health, thus increasing equity.Description
Supervisor
Paavilainen, HeidiThesis advisor
Mezei, Réka SáraKeywords
equity, social design, co-design, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, personalised healthcare