Speculative Design - Associating a Medical Vernacular With Menstrual Management.
This section discusses speculative design that address various 'issues' around menstruation and menstrual management and inclusiveness.
The speculative Blood collector. (Researchers Design)
These images shows an assortment of equipment derived from two industries. It curates the association amid menstrual management and a medical fellowship.
The ideology behind the merged materials challenges both practicality and physicality of, limitations and functions that conventional menstrual products offer. The 'Feminine Hygiene' industry has operated for the last 90 years without enforcement to innovate, and the limited line of products available do not consider the diversity of its users. For instance, the Menstrual Cup, though in some perspectives, materially 'sustainable' and beneficial for long-term finances. Due to the complexity of its operation, particularly concerning the insertion and removal methods, it produces many obstacles and diminishes inclusivity to a wide range of users.
This concept is taken from the futures module where the discussion of a medical connection was initiated - By collaborating this equipment, the functions become merged for new speculative design. While two 'worlds' collide in these curated image, the adaption of combining a menstrual cup with a catheter, suggest a funnel system concept, in which manages menstrual blood by funnelling through the Menstrual Cup and into the tube to be collected into the catheters bag. Finally. Due to the dexterity and mobility requirements of a menstrual cup, the beneficial elements of this concept could potentially help those who are not able to manage the Cup efficiently and frequently by the reduction of insertion and removal upon menstrual managing.
The function of this design is not inclusive and perhaps not realistic—however, the ideology of industries unite to design for inclusivity proposes the fundamental importance of innovation within menstrual product design.
Fig .6 - Menstruation and Medical.
Fig .7 - 'Conventional' Menstrual Materials.
Novelty embroidery pouches that promote the ideology of medical association and inclusivity to choice. A capitalised perspective.
The collection of materials curated into a speculative design inspired a different strategy from the perspective of capitalising this theoretical medical cooperation movement into a series of embroidered drawstring pouches. The idea behind this novelty design communicates inclusivity in a more appealing and perhaps more transparent aesthetic. The bags represent choice as opposed to the limits of commercially available products and medication.
There are lots of ways to carry one's menstrual products, usually in a discreet location, which are at hand for when menstruation decides to creep up. Due to the nature and aesthetic of the pouches design, with bright, happy colours, it potentially communicates the idea to a broad range of knowable demographics. Furthermore, it promotes the concept of diverse design thinking. By appointing each menstrual management method to an individual pouch, it categories the choices in which we are limited too. One of which is purely conceptual as you would not store the implant in these pouches.
Fig .8 - The series of embroidery represents an individual line of inquiry. However, the collection communicates efficiently together. This pouch, in particular, represents the conceptual ideas, as the image fabricates the 'funnel system' concept demonstrated in the previous 'medical vernacular' curation. Among the pouches imagery, reveals parts of the medical equipment, to strengthen the contrast.
Fig .9 - This pouch illustrates the 'conventional' menstrual products. Though there are variations of 'reusable' 'solutions' due to the material innovation made to suit environmental concerns, the design and functions within these products remain.
Fig .10 - The embroidery represents the variation of contraception methods that can be used to suppress menstruation. In this category of systems, compared to the other(s), there is more variety and diverseness. However, these hormonal manipulation methods are in some peoples cases, the only resort, which can potentially cause medical risks or not work. The irreversible procedures, such as a hysterectomy diminish the option of conceiving. Do these methods of medication suppressants steer the necessity for menstrual product design innovation away? The 'convenience' of these contraception practices, though extremely helpful and efficient for some, the exclusivity aspects of menstrual management continues.Parallel to menstrual products, contraceptives are classed as medical.
Speculative Design by Marie Louise Juul Søndergaard, An Interaction Designer and Researcher.
Period Share.
The speculative physical prototype is a 'wireless' menstrual cup. It shares menstrual quantity data on social networks. This project aims to share knowledge of how menstruation matters in peoples lives.
Apple released the 'HealthKit' App in 2014, which incorporated many types of self-tracking. However, the app did not include the opportunity for menstrual cycle tracking. In response, Period share aims to address the lack of gender diversity in technology companies. The design conceptualises the tracking and sharing of menstrual experiences as a "feminist tool" to produce thought on which kind of bodies and stories technologies can deliver.
Similar to the funnel system concept, this speculative design focuses on inclusivity, but concerning cycle tracking technologies. This concept is an excellent way to address the exclusivity of menstruation requirement in other perspectives. However, the design in the context questions the accessibility of the user. For instance, for people who are unable to use a menstrual cup, this design creates an adaption to the existing product with the additional benefit of a tracking operation.
Tracking cycles are a pragmatic way to asses of menstruation and potential irregularities; it can provide clarity on personal health inquiries concerning many aspects from fertility to levels of iron etc... In cases of people who find managing menstruation challenging, tracking is a great way to have a sense of preparedness for a regular cycle. However, in cases where menstrual cycles are inconsistent, the tracking cycle may be a little generalised. (15)
Fig .11/12 - Period Share.
Fig .13/14 - Menarche Bits.
Menarche Bits.
Menarche Bits is a design research project that concentrates on young menstruators bodily and social experience of the first occurrence of menstruation connected with sports. The exploration of this project strongly considers feminist values of promotion in collaboration with a group of young adolescents.
The collection of objects 'Menarche Bits' consist of soft shape-changing actuators, heat pads and big shapes. These objects work to attend too and "make space" for their body during a cycle. These digital technologies explore how soma design methods are developed in women health. The heat technology facilitates, on-body education studied around menarche experiences and opens up conversation concerning menstruation.
The Menarche Bits project is currently in stages of further research; researchers continue to reach out for participation. The context of menarche concerning sports is an exciting connection. Many topical issues are regarding the level of personal knowledge at the varied ages of menarche can potentially be increased by this educational tool that informs the participant about their own menstruating body while engaging in sports activities. However, the fabricated tools themselves are quite visually cryptic. It may be hard to communicate this concept to a young person around their first period.(16)
Nevertheless, the idea of promoting an understanding of one's body in this particular context is always encouraged for a subject that is otherwise a taboo and not fully understood. Making these tools slightly more transparent of their purpose will relax the already complicated issue to discuss as the images of these tools do not stand on their own and require clarity on the explanation.