Industrial - Bachelors

The MODBOD Shoulder Brace

The MODBOD Shoulder Brace is designed specifically for users with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, focusing on offering support, ease, and comfort to their daily life. With its modular and low maintenance design, users no longer have to trouble themselves with uncomfortable and inflexible braces, minimising difficulty associated with day-to-day tasks.

Emma Dimech

…hEDS is likely the most common systemic inherited connective tissue disorder in humans (with)… 255 million affected worldwide.

(Tinkle et al, 2017, p. 49).
An image of a young man putting on a shoulder brace.

When Market Doesn’t Meet Needs

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is the most common variant of EDS, estimated to affect 255 million people worldwide. With key symptoms including chronic pain, joint instability, and hypermobile joints, often to the point of subluxation and dislocation, it’s no mystery how crucial braces can be in living day-to-day. Despite this clear need, few braces are made with hypermobile EDS in mind, forcing users to compromise on important elements in the pursuit of comfort and support. While universality between shoulders is incredibly useful for people living with hEDS, current universal braces lack crucial support inserts, while braces with those inserts are locked to a specific shoulder. Existing braces also regularly neglect the skin sensitivity associated with hEDS, resulting in bruising and skin irritation.

How can we bridge this gap between user and product and address the real needs of people living with hEDS?

Every day can be a different challenge depending on which part of your body isn’t responding.

Survey Response
Name
Research Report- Designing for Disability
File Type
application
File Size
1 MB
Download File

Design Opportunities

Upon conducting the research project, four key design opportunities were identified (as pictured below). These focused on the needs displayed and voiced by research participants and gaps in the existing market.

A graphic of the design opportunities derived from the research project. These include Comfort Without Compromise, Ease of Organisation, Supporting Social Connection, and Minimising Daily Struggle.
An illustration of a woman wearing a modular brace.

Initial Concept

Working off of opportunities one and four (Comfort Without Compromise & Minimising Daily Struggle), the rough concept for a modular brace was born. The idea focused on creating a brace that could be adjusted to the user’s needs at will, allowing them to support either or both shoulders as needed.

Prototyping

A new and unique pattern had to be created for the MODBOD, requiring plenty of trial, testing, and iteration.

Series of four images showing the progression of prototyping.
A young adult wearing the final MODBOD Shoulder Brace.

Introducing MODBOD

The final brace is sleek and comfortable, with its modular design allowing users to switch the brace between shoulders, ensuring they get the support they need.

The final prototype pictured here is hand sewn and uses materials extremely close to what the final product would be comprised of, giving an accurate demonstration of functionality and appearance.

See the MODBOD in Action

Functions

A series of storyboard illustrations depicting the functions of the brace. The brace can be worn on either shoulder, worn discreetly under clothes, is easily portable, and is machine washable.

What makes the brace

Labelled diagram of the materials used in the brace, including Seaqual recycled polyester yarn, Ceramicool technology, and organic cotton webbing.

Summary

The MODBOD Shoulder Brace bridges the gap between user and product, enhancing the livelihoods of people with hEDS. The brace sets itself apart from the existing market via its innovative modular design, its ability to be discreetly and comfortably worn under clothing, and its low maintenance build, keeping it easily portable and washable. The MODBOD ensures comfort and convenience are attainable for people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, giving them the necessary support to live their lives to the fullest.

Emma Dimech

Emma Dimech is an ambitious industrial designer passionate about design for disability and user-centred design. Over the course of her degree, she’s developed an expansive skillset, including concepting, CAD modelling, and visual communication. Her work is often characterised by her unique illustrative style and in-depth research.