WILLOW
WILLOW
December 2022
Soft Goods Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, Pattern Making, UX Research, Market Research
Willow is a specialized apparel line designed for children ages 0 to 4 years old with congenital medical conditions or in post-operative rehabilitation. Willow’s design and development are grounded in thorough research and insights gained from the Baobei Foundation, a Shanghai-based non-profit organization specializing in providing surgical and post-surgical care to orphans with life-threatening birth defects. Additionally, Willow was shaped by my personal experiences as part of a volunteer foster family for Zach, who joined the Baobei program as an infant.
This collection focuses primarily on the congenital conditions hydrocephalus, spina bifida and clubfoot, which affect over 70% of the babies with the Baobei Foundation. Willow strives to provide safety, dependability and comfort as a product, aiming to support the baby’s recovery while delivering a seamless and unobtrusive experience for caregivers and medical professionals.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
Volunteering Experience
Volunteering as part of a foster family for the Baobei Foundation provided invaluable insights that were paramount in the design and development of Willow. Living together with Zach, my family and I grew accustomed to caring for a baby with congenital conditions, including Zach’s daily care and extensive post-surgical rehabilitation. Duties such as bandage care, ointment application, shunt drainage and physical and occupational therapy required meticulous attention to detail, as well as general duties such as clothing choices and diaper changes due to Zach’s sensitive and healing body.
Throughout our time fostering Zach, I observed how clothing with small necklines proved difficult to wear due to his hydrocephalus, which we modified by cutting wider necklines. Clothing that was too tight around the abdomen chafed the surgical site of his spina bifida. Often, pants had to be too large around the waist in order to accommodate for the casts following treatment for his clubfoot. Our own challenges posed by ill-fitting clothing as well as the stories gained from interviewing other foster families were instrumental in ensuring that Willow catered to the specific needs of the babies, while simplifying the caregiving tasks for families and medical professionals.
The Baobei Foundation
Founded in Shanghai in 2008, the Baobei Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides orphans across China with life-saving surgical treatments and post-surgical rehabilitation through established relationships with orphanages and the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMS). The Baobei program aims to connect the babies in its care with loving adoptive families, and has aided over 200 babies since 2018 in receiving successful treatments and adoptions by loving families who are committed to continuing their intensive care.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Evelin, Founder and Director
As the Founder and Director, Evelin manages relationships between orphanages, hospitals and foster families to ensure a smooth and supportive experience for the children who receive life-saving treatment through the organization.
Jill, Treasurer and Manager
As one of the three managers at the Baobei Foundation, Jill facilitates clear communication between hospitals, physical therapists and foster families to ensure the best care for babies during their post-surgical rehabilitation. Jill also manages the treasury and handles all donations.
Miki, Volunteer Foster Parent
During her five years as a volunteer, Miki and her family have fostered three babies through the Baobei Foundation. As a foster parent, Miki is experienced with the daily responsibilities involving caring for a baby with congenital conditions and during post-surgical rehabilitation.
COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder caused by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. Hydrocephalus is commonly treated with the insertion of a shunt, which drains the cerebrospinal fluid. Individuals with hydrocephalus may have an enlarged head that may cause strain on the neck and back and difficulty with balance.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a congenital condition marked by an incomplete formation of the neural tube, which results in an opening along the spine and damage to the spinal cord and nerves. Spina bifida often leads to weakness or paralysis below the affected area, and thus early surgical treatment is imperative. Spina bifida often co-occurs with hydrocephalus as it also relates to the neural tube’s development.
Clubfoot
Clubfoot is a congenital malformation of the foot and is a common birth defect. With clubfoot, the tendons in the foot are shorter than usual resulting in the foot being twisted out of position. Babies with severe clubfoot are treated with surgery and wear casts, braces or both for an average of three months and may also require follow-up surgeries.
DESIGN GOALS
Design baby apparel that seamlessly accommodates for the physical differences characterized in babies with hydrocephalus, spina bifida and clubfoot.
Distinguish key differences between routines revolving around daily life and post-surgical rehabilitation, to arrive at a design that conforms to the needs of both environments.
Support volunteers and medical professionals by addressing present pain points with baby clothing and providing improved solutions.
Ensure the longevity of the product by considering the baby’s natural growth and possible future treatments.
Willow aims to provide enhanced comfort and safety for babies with congenital medical conditions as they undergo surgical treatment and recovery. By addressing common clothing issues such as tightness, chafing, pressure points and dressing challenges and considering the routines and duties regarding the baby in home and hospital environments, Willow aims to simplify the tasks of volunteers and medical professionals alike by aiding access to the baby’s abdomen where medical equipment may be attached, or to the diaper for swift changing. In eliminating obstacles caused by clothing, Willow aims to improve the daily routines for babies, volunteers and medical professionals by offering a product that seamlessly adapts to their experiences.
FINAL SKETCHES
PATTERN MAKING, PROTOTYPING, MODEL MAKING
FINAL PRODUCT
