The Challenge: Bridging the Awareness Gap

Enhancing Visibility for Non-Visible Disabilities: A client approached us with a unique and deeply personal request involving her child. While many disabilities are immediately recognizable to the public, visual impairment is often a “hidden” condition. The client shared that navigating public spaces with her child’s pram often led to stressful interactions; because the impairment wasn’t visible, passersby and commuters often lacked the necessary patience or spatial awareness required for their safety.

The goal was clear: create a durable, high-visibility sign for the pram that would communicate the child’s needs instantly and effectively, fostering a more empathetic and accommodating environment.

The Collaborative Design Process

We began with a discovery session to understand the specific environmental factors the sign would face. It needed to be legible from a distance, weatherproof, and securely attachable to a pram frame without being cumbersome.

During the design phase, we prioritised high-contrast typography and universal iconography. We selected a bold, sans-serif font for maximum readability and paired it with a recognisable eye symbol featuring a strike-through. The choice of a “safety yellow” background with raised black lettering was intentional – mimicking high-visibility road and safety signage to naturally draw the eye and signal importance.

Technical Execution: 3D Printing Excellence

Once the client approved the digital mock-up, we moved to production using FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing.

• Material Selection: We utilised a high-quality PLA for its impact resistance and UV stability, ensuring the sign wouldn’t warp or fade during long walks in the sun.
• Multi-Material Printing: To achieve the high-contrast look without the need for messy paints that could chip over time, we utilised a filament-swap technique. This allowed the black lettering and borders to be physically part of the structure, resulting in a tactile, “raised” effect that adds a premium feel and further durability.
• Integration: The design includes a streamlined slot at the top, allowing it to be easily attached via Velcro straps or zip ties to various pram models.

Enhancing Visibility for Non-Visible Disabilities – The Result

The final product was a vibrant, professional-grade sign that met every one of the client’s requirements. More importantly, it provided the client with a renewed sense of confidence in public. This project highlights the power of 3D printing – not just for rapid prototyping, but for creating bespoke, functional solutions that improve lives and advocate for accessibility.