PILLAR
NECK EXO-SKELETON PRODUCT DESIGN
BLENDER RENDERING AND ANIMATION
PRODUCT DESIGN
MOTION GRAPHICS
RESEARCHED BASED DESIGN
IDENTITY AND BRANDING
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The design created for this project was aimed answering the following problem statement:
“In a research survey on the prevalence of neck pain in working surgeons, over 70% of their respondents reported episodes of neck pain weekly. This chronic pain not only incapacitates the workers, but also puts the lives of patients at risk. With the emergence of more complex medical technology, how can we utilize this to support surgeons, not just in recovery, but prevention of this chronic neck pain as they work to save lives of people around the world?”
RESEARCH
From this problem statement, further research into surgeon needs/preferences, the anatomy of the neck, as well as the physics of why this next pain persisted revealed the following takeaways:
The designed solution must be lightweight and cannot restrict head rotation.
The muscle groups that need the most support to rectify this neck pain were the Splenius Capitis and Splenius Cervicis
The head must be supported by upward force against the gravitational pull against the head.
This research was further explored with conversations with a subject matter expert, Dr. Teeteh, who helped us to get better context for what surgeons needed and the restrictions that were in place for products such as these.
IDEATION/SKETCHES
Going through several iterations, the concept for a neck exoskeleton was developed, with multiple ideas coming out in quick sketches for the design. The designs centered around several different solutions, some keeping the neck in an upright position through the chest and some helping to reduce the weight by distributing the weight throughout the back and hips.
Detail sketches of the model and it’s internal workings
MODELING
From these sketches, ideas were brought into blender and worked into a solution for the final 3d model.
The final design works with a pulley system incorporated into the back portion (shown below) to try to offset the movement of the head forward with the elastic straps, offsetting the weight put on the neck to move the head down significantly.
For adjustability, the extruding portions on the antennae work to help increase the height for those with differing neck heights, with the lower half extending to allow for people with different torso sizes to find their fit. The dial on the back increases or decreases the tension of the straps, able to be modified easily for different user needs.
STABILITY. POWER. PILLAR
Once the product had been modeled, word association with the attributes of the product led to the name Pillar, signifying the stability and power that could come with the use of the product. Using a simple typeface and a mark inspired by the shape of the exoskeleton itself, the branding fits in with the industry with simplicity and impact.
ADVERTISING/MATERIALS
In the final stages of working through the product design, advertising the product was an essential next step. The main use case for the product’s advertisement culminated in a trade booth, using large format environmental design paired with motion graphics and print layouts. working first from rough sketches and then brought to life within Blender and After Effects.
Tradeshow space with motion graphics incorporated
Wanting to provide a space for interaction that might resemble real world use, a LED interactive screen was incorporated to create the experience of being at the table while testing the product.