ARTIFICIAL SKINS AND BONES

The patterns, structures and functions of nature are a never-ending source of inspiration. Our project seminar “Artificial Skins and Bones” therefore first looked at the construction of our own bodies in order to look for elements that we could use in the design of artificial bodies. The idea for this project came about in cooperation with Ottobock, the world market leader for prostheses.

Through workshops with technicians and physiotherapists from the company, interviews with amputees and a visit to the research and production departments in Duderstadt, we expanded our subject area: the language of the senses, the interaction with artificial body parts and, last but not least, the aesthetics of artificial bodies in relation to the aesthetics of natural bodies .

Nature’s patterns, structures, and functions are an endless source of inspiration. We started off our project course “Artificial Skins and Bones” by looking into our body’s design, and examining elements that may be applied to the design process of artificial bodies. The idea for this topic developed through our collaboration with Ottobock, the world market leader in prosthetics.

Through workshops with their technicians and physiotherapists, interviews with amputees, and a visit to Ottobock’s research and production hub in Duderstadt, we added additional topics to our agenda: the language of sensation, interaction with artificial body parts, and the aesthetics of artificial bodies and their relationship to the aesthetics of natural bodies. The result of these ideas and experiences were nine projects.