Nexk Support

Overall: 365 x 270 mm Bottom: 140 x 74

Top: 124 x 70 mm

Location. Seoul

Category. Industrial Design / 3D Model

Materials. Foam, KT Tape, Wire

One of my goals has been to investigate more into medical devices in the general market. From Type 1 to Type 3, I wanted to try designing a type 1 product tackling the issue of neck pain. Concurrently, I wanted to undergo the task of designing a medical product that is light, targets the upper back and neck.

Neck pain is a common issue across both students and workers, when working at a desk or on a computer. Based on the same principles of familiarity by connecting to natural processes, the design of the neck support was based on the skeletal structure of the back.

Inspiration

The inspiration for the neck support drew from several sources: the traditional medical devices, cybernetics, and the fine arts expressions of the neck support models.

Draft Exploration

First Draft

Several forms of means were explored. Some of them involved the integration into clothing, while others grasped at the basic bone structure. Other forms brought the airplane neck rest wrapping method into the growth.

In exploring a more animal jaws and spinal structure, experimental design were created. In this case stud, the human jaw and spine and the fish structure was looked into.

Based on the cybernetic approach with some a minimalistic approach, the breakthrough sketch was made through this method of covering key coverings and wire control.

Second Draft

Final Draft

From the sketches (above), I created the designs that would ultimately lead to the design that would be used as the prototype model.

Prototype Process

Wireframe

First Steps of Making the Prototype Model

1. Aluminum rods were twisted around the shape of the body to create the initial blueprint

2. Different lengths were wired with 0.5 mm wire around to securely fasten the rods

3. KT Tape wrapped around the wire structure to provide more rigidity and provide protection from the pointy portions

Foam

According to what felt the most natural to the body, the structure was bent to resemble the most natural position. From this point, sketches were drawn to add how to add more depth to the build. Guards were added to the wire frame model.