An Evaluation of the Accessory Approach in the Design of Personalized Wearable Health Devices Using a Biopsychosocial Framework

Incorporating an accessory approach into current systematic approaches in health design enables a personal addition to worn health devices. This paper presents a research project between nine accessory design students and Sahva, the Danish body aids company. The project shows how accessory design skills, practices and methods can contribute to the development of personal wearable health devices, as current designs often ignore the psychosocial preferences of the wearer.
The project was analysed using Bush’s (2017) framework for wearability that provides a biopsychosocial model for understanding and defining the wearer’s personal needs towards health devices. The findings from the analysis support the consideration of the accessory approach for wearable health devices; since this approach clearly includes a focus on these personalized preferences of wearability that the wearer experiences/holds towards wearable health devices. Such a design approach develops Sahva’s existing perception of its clients by demonstrating ways to articulate the personal needs of the wearer and thereby create personalized wearable designs.