Design and Medicine Collaborate Using Digital Anthropometry

Abstract

Background Five projects, conducted collaboratively between design and health/medicine researchers, are described including: study of the osteoporotic figure to develop apparel designs that encourage active life styles, evaluation of weight loss induced body changes, evaluation of breast cancer treatment related effects on body asymmetry, improved fit and design of a liquid cooling garment to maintain healthy body temperature of astronauts, and development of a body satisfaction intervention for young women. Steps of a design process were used to facilitate project work and to communicate progress to participating researchers. Methods All projects were conducted using facilities in the Human Dimensioning© Lab at the University of Minnesota. “Digital anthropometry”, a method of measuring and analyzing the body using a topical laser body scanner, was used to measure and describe the human body for applications in the five projects. Results Results vary from providing detailed information concerning body shape and size, to incorporating the body measurement data into improved designs of wearable products, to using the body data to educate young women about healthy bodies. Conclusions The fields of design and medicine share common interests in improving the human condition. More specifically apparel designers and physicians have in-depth, but varying, knowledge of the structure and workings of the human body and use that knowledge to address human needs. By using the design process as a means of communication, the two fields can develop solutions to human problems. What do apparel design and medicine have in common? Medical researchers are acutely aware of the inner workings of the human body, while apparel design researchers understand how anthropometry, measuring and describing the body surface and contours, is used to design apparel to fit a range of shapes and sizes. A team of researchers in the Human Dimensioning© Lab uses their unique skills and interests to address health and medicine issues that combine both perspectives. To facilitate work, communicate progress, and promote understanding the team uses the design process with steps of defining the problem and conducting research, exploring possible solutions, and implementing best solutions to the problem. The Human Dimensioning© Lab is equipped with the latest apparel design technologies including full laser body scanner, motion capture equipment, apparel design and CAD engineering software and soft goods prototyping equipment. The digital anthropometry technologies are used to assess the surface of the human body and to design products that fit and function with the body. This paper presents five projects conducted in the Human Dimensioning© Lab (HDL) demonstrating effective collaborations between medicine and design. The projects