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Tryggve, Improving the Standard Crutch - A Bachelor Project by Bea Olsson

Olsson, Bea LU (2025) IDEL01 20251
Industrial Design
Abstract (Swedish)
This bachelor’s degree project investigates the improvement of
the functionality, comfort, and aesthetics of forearm crutches for
people living with temporary or chronic mobility limitations. The
target group of individuals aged 40-65 reflects a wide range of
lifestyles, from short-distance mobility to commuting. Through
interviews and observations with individuals that belong to the
target group, all experiencing reduced bodily function due to pain
or injury, the project identified core issues related to grip ergonomics,
inadequate height adjustment, instability when resting
crutches against surfaces, and the visual stigma of the most
common walking aids on the market. Their shared frustration
with standard crutches reveals a... (More)
This bachelor’s degree project investigates the improvement of
the functionality, comfort, and aesthetics of forearm crutches for
people living with temporary or chronic mobility limitations. The
target group of individuals aged 40-65 reflects a wide range of
lifestyles, from short-distance mobility to commuting. Through
interviews and observations with individuals that belong to the
target group, all experiencing reduced bodily function due to pain
or injury, the project identified core issues related to grip ergonomics,
inadequate height adjustment, instability when resting
crutches against surfaces, and the visual stigma of the most
common walking aids on the market. Their shared frustration
with standard crutches reveals a strong need for solutions that
support everyday use, both functionally and emotionally.
The projects design process consisted of sketching, served as an
initial ideation tool, followed by physical modelling in hard foam
and industrial plasticine as well as 3D printing in both plastic
and rubber. These methods allowed for rapid testing of form and
function, as well as allowing for continuous user tests.
The final outcome is a concept design exploring key improvments
to the standard forearm crutch in five areas: the shape and
tactile quality of the grip, a redesigned armrest, a non-slip foot
designed to work on wet or uneven surfaces, a more finely
adjustable height mechanism, and subtle physical features that
enable the crutch to rest securely against everyday objects and
surfaces. While not a production-ready product, the concept outlines
realistic and scalable design directions. Additional features
and systems are discussed in the personal reflection section,
suggesting future potential for customization and improvement to
further improve the design of forearm crutches.
This project explores forearm crutches not just as medical tools,
but as personal products that deserve the same design care as
other everyday items. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Olsson, Bea LU
supervisor
organization
course
IDEL01 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
language
Swedish
id
9207192
date added to LUP
2025-07-01 09:02:52
date last changed
2025-07-01 09:02:52
@misc{9207192,
  abstract     = {{This bachelor’s degree project investigates the improvement of
the functionality, comfort, and aesthetics of forearm crutches for
people living with temporary or chronic mobility limitations. The
target group of individuals aged 40-65 reflects a wide range of
lifestyles, from short-distance mobility to commuting. Through
interviews and observations with individuals that belong to the
target group, all experiencing reduced bodily function due to pain
or injury, the project identified core issues related to grip ergonomics,
inadequate height adjustment, instability when resting
crutches against surfaces, and the visual stigma of the most
common walking aids on the market. Their shared frustration
with standard crutches reveals a strong need for solutions that
support everyday use, both functionally and emotionally.
The projects design process consisted of sketching, served as an
initial ideation tool, followed by physical modelling in hard foam
and industrial plasticine as well as 3D printing in both plastic
and rubber. These methods allowed for rapid testing of form and
function, as well as allowing for continuous user tests.
The final outcome is a concept design exploring key improvments
to the standard forearm crutch in five areas: the shape and
tactile quality of the grip, a redesigned armrest, a non-slip foot
designed to work on wet or uneven surfaces, a more finely
adjustable height mechanism, and subtle physical features that
enable the crutch to rest securely against everyday objects and
surfaces. While not a production-ready product, the concept outlines
realistic and scalable design directions. Additional features
and systems are discussed in the personal reflection section,
suggesting future potential for customization and improvement to
further improve the design of forearm crutches.
This project explores forearm crutches not just as medical tools,
but as personal products that deserve the same design care as
other everyday items.}},
  author       = {{Olsson, Bea}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Tryggve, Improving the Standard Crutch - A Bachelor Project by Bea Olsson}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}