2015 - Philips Design Award Top 3
SecondSkin
The Greys - Embracing Imperfections
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In sports, imperfections act as the driver for constant improvement. Each practice serves as a building block of potential to be better. Having their lives disrupted and having to adapt to new normalcy, sports hence act as a medium for amputees to embrace their imperfections.
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Can sports prosthetics be adaptable to different movements rather than needing the parathletes to switch them out for different sports?
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How can I tangibilise Wabi Sabi?
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Can 'history' be elegantly visualised and hence embraced?
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SecondSkin​
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SecondSkin is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi - to see the beauty in imperfections. It is designed to wear-out elegantly, slowly revealing patterns once hidden. These prostheses then become pieces unique to each individual, a rich vessel of history and personality.
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The textures hidden on the inner surface of the outer shell creates visual interest as the light reflects off the patterns, directing the eye and hence highlighting the stump - the supposed imperfection.
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The wave-inspired profile, while not perfect - is designed to be versatile enough for both dorsi-flexion and planar-flexion. This eliminates the need for parathletes to switch between different prostheses like in the past. The sole-like module further diversifies the range of sports while remaining compact.
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Each component is designed as modules that could be fitted to the current prosthetic system, lowering the barrier of adoption for parathletes.
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Special thanks: Dr. Tong from Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the inspiring para-athletes.