Hero Arm

Open Bionics

2017-2019
Bristol, UK

My Role:

Industrial Design, Product Visualisation, Packaging Design

Tools Used:

Blender 3D, Adobe Suite, 3D Printing

The Hero Arm was Open Bionics' first product launch - a 3D printed "multi-grip" bionic arm with interchangeable covers; the first of its kind in the world. It was designed for those with a below-elbow limb difference, as a functional prosthesis to help with everyday tasks, but also as a way to express themselves by customising the appearance.
‍
I joined the company while the project was already underway, and while the functional aspects of the product were well developed, aesthetically it was in need of an overhaul.
I took responsibility for improving the appearance of the product, working with the engineering team to find a balance between form & function.
‍
I also designed a huge range of covers for the arm - both original designs, and licensed covers based on popular characters from Marvel, Disney, Lucasfilm & more.
Additionally, I did the packaging visual design, and was responsible for designing the product quick start guide, user manual, and marketing materials, as well as the product page on the Open Bionics website.

The Hero Arm was Open Bionics' first product launch - a 3D printed "multi-grip" bionic arm with interchangeable covers; the first of its kind. It was designed for those with a below-elbow limb difference, as a functional prosthesis to help with everyday tasks, but also as a way to express themselves by customising the appearance.
‍
I joined the company while the project was already underway, and while the functional aspects of the product were well developed, aesthetically it was in need of an overhaul.
I took responsibility for improving the appearance of the product, working with the engineering team to find a balance between form & function.
‍
I also designed a huge range of covers for the arm - both original designs, and licensed covers based on popular characters from Marvel, Disney, Lucasfilm & more.
Additionally, I did the packaging visual design, and was responsible for designing the product quick start guide, user manual, and marketing materials, as well as the product page on the Open Bionics website.

Hand Visual Design

User research showed that a majority of patients hated the "skin coloured" silicone prosthetic arms that for decades have been the default option offered. Many expressed a desire to "own" their disability rather than try to pretend they had a biological hand.
Nonetheless, they also showed a strong preference for the proportions of the device to closely mimic those of a natural hand. I took the engineering team's prototype and re-modelled it with these requirements in mind. I then worked with them to integrate the changes into the master model, avoiding disruption to the underlying components.
The solution we arrived at was a design that is unapologetically bionic; instantly recognisable as a piece of technology rather than pretending to be a natural limb, yet with a form that remains close to the proportions of a biological hand.

Click & drag to reveal
Before
After
Hero Arm with Star Wars BB-8 licensed covers:

Grips in Action

I added materials & lighting to the final hand model using Blender 3D software and made animations of multiple product features, including all of the grips.
I then used this content to illustrate the product's functionality on the Open Bionics website & in the Sidekick app.

Hero Arm final CAD model

Pictured with "Sentinel" covers.
I produced realistic stills & videos of the Hero Arm for marketing materials and to showcase the range of covers in the online shop.

© Ronan McAllister 2024