The issue:
Many lower-leg prosthetics look the same, and little customization is readily available. Currently, for those who wish to customize their prosthetic, most require purchasing a new part for their existing brand-specific prosthetic or buying an entirely new one altogether.
Helping women feel comfortable in their prosthetic skin:
Women are almost 20% more likely to reject a prosthetic than men and are likely to report that gender differences are over-generalized as primarily focused on aesthetics.
Also, women with physical disabilities report higher rates of depression than their male counterparts because of the stigma associated with not only their gender, but also their disability (Greenhalg, 2021).
Celebrating our differences
Young women with limb differences
Most mobility aids are designed for pediatric patients or adults, leaving little room for teenagers with growing and changing bodies and aesthetics. This group of young women needs a way to modify the look of their prosthetic to match their choice of dress, be it casual or formal.
Tactics
Employ the use of a unique and removable pylon clamp that allows the design of fashionable, wearable attachments for prosthetics that can be changed, allowing the user to to celebrate limb differences rather than hide them.
The Clamp
While other designs use a sock-like slip to only cover the existing sleeve, my designs for prosthetic adornments attach to the pylon, or pole supporting the middle of the prosthetic. Pylons vary from 31mm-34mm, so I designed an adjustable clamp lined with rubber to prevent slipping. This clamp can be attached to and removed from the pylon with a simple Phillips screwdriver, and the adornment is directly soldered in place on the clamp. Simply clamp the two halves together to enjoy a beautiful new leg!
Woodland Chic
The Woodland Chic leg by Glam Gait is crafted with meticulous artistry and embodies a harmonious blend of nature's beauty and modern sophistication. Sharp angles meet subtle curves to create visual interest and a different silhouette from every angle. Wood is specifically picked for its dynamic grain, and when weight is a consideration, a lighter core is wrapped with specialty veneer. Treated with a heavy-duty satin finish, this leg is highly water resistant.
As a natural material, wood has the ability to somewhat match the wearer’s skin tone, making a subtle yet dynamic piece that promises to provoke double-takes on the street. Of course, the wood chosen may also stand out against the wearer, making this leg variable in design.
Golden Blossom
Picture yourself adorned in the sheer opulence of the "Golden Blossom," a prosthetic leg that is not merely an accessory; it's a statement of empowerment and style. Woven wire, hammered metal plates with a translucent fill make a debut in this elegant prosthetic.
As wire is the primary component, this leg is incredibly lightweight. Like all Glam Gait prosthetics, this sculptural element is removable, allowing the wearer to dress up their leg to match whatever formal occasion. Glam Gait can customize this (and every) prosthetic to ensure the lotus flower falls over the sleeve, where it should, as a symbol of purity and beauty, delicately woven onto the sleeve of your residual limb.
Ivory Fortress
The “Ivory Fortress” features a gleaming exterior, where pristine white metal meets lustrous gold to create a striking contrast. Designed for the young woman who dares to push the boundaries of conventional fashion. Sleek and lightweight, this prosthetic is as comfortable as it is eye-catching. Its hollow construction ensures a feather-light feel. Constructed out of light sheet metal, then pierced and shaped, this leg is sturdy and easy to walk in.
Process
Research
Prosthetic limbs, especially legs, do much more than serve a functional purpose. While all prosthetics deal with aesthetics to some degree, their main purpose is to provide mobility assistance. In preparation for designing fashionable prosthetics, I started with research. Who wears fashionable prosthetics? What do these people want from their prosthetics? What is the appropriate weight? Are there specs to match? What kind of designs are already out there? I learned about proper weights, sizes, and what kind of products are on the market for this idea.
This research led me to the idea of an adjustable clamp that attaches to the pylon. This way the adornment can fit any leg and may be attached and removed without damaging the prosthetic or requiring too much from the user.
Sketch
Once I learned my design parameters, I hit the sketchbook. I created designs that attached to the pylon and grew around the leg from there. Metal wire, metal sheets and wooden forms could all be attached to the pylon clamp easily, making for a simple way to dramatically change the look of the prosthetic. I expanded upon my favorite designs and drew them in perspective for rendering.
Vizcom.ai
Vizcom.ai is an online artificial intelligence rendering software. I fed my designs into Vizcom and generated renderings. Playing with keywords until the result was what I was looking for, I kept tweaking my sketches and prompts. Eventually I achieved results I could use.
Photoshop
Once I had some good renderings, I photoshopped them onto models to complete the look and showcase the aesthetic.
Branding
Main Logo
Logo font
Color Palette
Logo font
DIN Next Light
Main website font
Packaging
