Designing for disabilities is an area that is often greatly overlooked. Alice Turner, a final year design student at Central St. Martins University in London, hopes to put an end to this. Through conversations, her love of books and a constant questioning of the world around her, Alice doesn’t just want to design for the sake of designing, she wants to help people and improve the lives of the vulnerable whilst being environmentally responsible and protecting our planet for future generations.
This obsessiveness with problem solving and passion towards socially inclusive design has culminated in a number of projects that include ‘Amplify’: a stylish hearing aid that uses bone conduction and secondly a dignified drinking vessel for dementia sufferers.
A fashion statement and an extension of your personality...
Hugely inspired by the book ‘Design Meets Disability’ by Graham Pullin, Alice wanted to design a hearing aid that the user would be proud to wear rather than hiding it away which suggests its something to be ashamed of. In the book, Pullin explains how in the 1960’s glasses were aids for a disability but have now evolved into ‘eyewear’ - a fashion statement and an extension of your personality. ‘Amplify’ strives to achieve a similar feat.
...minimalist, modern and sleek aesthetic...
The bone conduction technology enables the device to decode sound waves and convert them into vibrations that can be received directly by the cochlea so the eardrum is never involved. The product enables bluetooth connectivity so that it can be paired to any smart device including your car bluetooth system, smart televisions, phones and speakers. The device can be paired through the connectivity settings in the app where there are many features available such as a help centre for any time technological support. All of this combined with its minimalist, modern and sleek aesthetic makes it a concept we are desperate to see in the future.
She was shocked to find most products designed for people with dementia were extremely child-like...
Alice’s love for designing for disabilities was actually thanks to another project however - a drinking cup for dementia sufferers. After having first hand experience watching her Nana battle the disease, she visited various care homes and spoke to nurses working day to day with people with dementia. She was shocked to find most products designed for people with dementia were extremely child-like in order to cater to their specific needs. She also found out that 9/10 dementia sufferers die from a swallowing condition called dysphagia. In response to this Alice designed a dignified drinking cup with a built in spout to reduce the impacts of dysphagia and help nurses better care for the residents.
The world would be a better place if there were more Alice Turners in it!
It is refreshing to witness a young, up and coming designer challenge current attitudes and design in a herculean effort to make truly meaningful, impactful and provocative design. We are excited to follow Alice’s design journey after graduation and beyond. The world would be a better place if there were more Alice Turners in it!
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