Fourteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

This paper reviews the utilization of creative coding to develop a customized user centered design of a wearable from user centered inputs to custom 3D printed prototypes. The code based design process provides visual feedback to the designer. The process is demonstrated in the area of assistive technology with a pediatric active night-stretching orthotic. The design seeks to develop a custom active ankle-foot orthotic that is lightweight, functional, durable and comfortable for pediatric patients. The upper posterior calf support designed in Processing 3 is actualized with an integrated 3D printer code algorithm. The design tool facilitates the democratization of design and manufacturing. This method explores the boundaries between creative coding and traditional engineering design. Furthermore, the modularity of the code is discussed as applied to other user based wearable designs.