Application of emotional design to the form redesign of a midwifery training aid

This paper focuses on the form redesign of a midwifery training aid. The training aid needed to represent a pregnant woman as well as having an appearance suitable for a medical device. The redesign was informed by Donald Norman’s Emotional Design Theory in order to explore the design form to combine functionality and technology, as well to gain attention and elicit positive emotional responses from the user. The redesigned prototype was realised using 3D printing and other rapid prototyping technologies. The prototype was exhibited at an international exhibition and feedback from medical simulation experts indicated that the design form was appropriate for the intended purpose.