Photograph by Stella Kalinina. © 2014 Art Center College of Design
Eastman Innovation Lab, Kingsport, Tennessee, and product development design firm Altair Thinklabs, Troy, Michigan, presented a seminar that was an exploration of the world of prosthetics through design and materials at the 2014 Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) International Conference in Austin, Texas, August 13-16. Eastman also recently announced its support of Paralympian sprinter Blake Leeper as the company’s health and wellness ambassador. Leeper, who has congenital bilateral transtibial amputations, grew up in Kingsport.
The relationship with Leeper and the focus on prosthetic design sprang from last year’s IDSA Conference, where Leeper gave the keynote presentation. According to an Eastman press release, “the presentation turned into a brainstorming session as the Eastman team members immediately began thinking of ways to improve his running blades. Since that initial presentation, Eastman has connected Blake with a design firm that is addressing the broader issue of prosthetic design.”
“We are all working together on a project that will hopefully change the future and quality of life for people who use prosthetic legs,” said Leeper.
The project is still in development.
