Did you ever stop to consider the color of your medical device and how it may appeal to your consumer? I know it sounds a bit crazy, but perhaps it is worth considering.
CMF, or color, materials and forecasting design, is a design expertise which is becoming more and more prevalent. As products and markets become more complex the need for specific knowledge about color, materials, surface finish and trends has increased.
Medical devices can be given a personal and sophisticated competitive edge when we work with color pallets beyond navy blue, black and silver and with high quality manufacturing techniques and sophisticated finishes. Thoughtful and careful color, materials and surface design create more accepted, appreciated devices which are a natural part of users’ daily lives.
I actually pulled up a website of a company called Fairings that makes specialized coverings that surround an existing prosthetic leg. The site states:
Fairings infuse the individual’s lifestyle and taste into the design from the start. But to make this an even more personal part of the prosthetic leg, Fairings can be enhanced with patterns, graphics, and materials—including leather, ballistic nylon fabric, chrome plating, and even tattoos. By creating a unique custom form that presents the individual, Bespoke Innovations hopes to change the way the world thinks of prostheses.
Am I suggesting that you take your already stretched budget to go out and hire expensive designers to investigate the recent hip trends and somehow transform your product into the new “it” device? I really don’t think anyone wants leopard print surgical tubing, pastel circuit boards, or even leather prosthetic legs for that matter, but CMF certainly is something to keep in mind if you want your product to stand out in today’s market.