Cliterate

At the start of this project there were no anatomically accurate models of the vulva or clitoris to specifically explain this sexual functioning. Existing anatomical models focused on the torso region with too many unnecessary and extraneous parts to the models. Models made by sexual health educators tended to be home-made and while privileging the right ‘bits’ were inaccurate. There was also debate and conjecture as to what those ‘bits’ really were that should be discussed. The design team had the challenge of shifting through scientific literature, 2d diagrams and medical scans to recreate an accurate 3d model and product.

In discussion with the client the design team established early that the model should be layered and pull apart to ‘look’ into the body. As it was refined, it should be able to be held in one hand and demonstrated with the other. It should represent diverse communities through colour choice. Initially the first models were 3d printed and the team looked at producing products as 3d prints, however the end result using Injection molded parts produces a beautiful product, that is intuitively interactive. It comes apart and goes together easily in a puzzle-like way that creates conversation and education.

The client is an expert in education in sexual health. Her clients range from medical professionals, therapists through to people with disability and intellectual disability. Even today there is surprising lack of accurate training around sexual functioning and anatomy across the user groups mentioned above. This tool will have profound impact in addressing a topic that can be awkward with an accurate and interactive teaching tool. The client has set up manufacturing this product to make this tool available to other educators and health professionals. It augments the scientific field of anatomy by producing an accurate model in 3 dimensions.

Roles: Thrive Rehab: Client and subject matter expert, focus groups. RMIT Industrial Design team: Research translation into product design and CAD X-Product: Product design engineering, manufacturing files and manufacturing oversight The client took iterations of development to local experts in sex education and therapy who represented a key target market, to give feedback as iterations developed. The client established a group she called the ‘International Cliterati’ comprised of global experts in vulva and clitoral sexual health an anatomy to discuss iterations developed by the design team. As the product moved from RMIT to X-Product consultancy for manufacturing, the whole team met regularly to resolve elements of the final design as early parts became available to ensure the intuitive and user-friendly nature of the design intention was maintained. The design team made many iterations during this process of testing the usability of early prototypes towards to final outcomes, checking with the client as to how she saw the product being used. Magnets were added between key layers and tolerance fits for softer parts refined that allows for ease of demonstration, assembly and disassembly. The product is augmented by a series of videos and educational resources on the Cliterate website.