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Designing with purpose

A student collaboration with orthocross amputee foundation

Designing with purpose

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At Cape Town Creative Academy, students in the elective Makers Lab have taken their creative skills outside of the classroom, collaborating with the Orthocross Amputee Foundation to design prosthetic covers that go beyond functionality. Led by CTCA lecturer Phillip van der Walt, a product designer and artist specialising in CAD modelling and design for additive manufacturing, students designed and manufactured covers which allow amputees to express their individuality, their personal style, and feel confident, empowered, and proud of who they are.
For the Orthocross Amputee Foundation, led by Medical Orthotist Prosthetist Henk Craig, this collaboration addresses a long-standing challenge: providing affordable, high-quality prosthetics to amputees from lower-income backgrounds. The Foundation’s mission is to restore mobility, independence, and dignity for those in need. The covers are fully customisable to each person’s preference and ideas, and blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. As Henk explains, the project has a profound emotional and psychological impact on amputees, transforming how they view and wear their prosthetics. Henk says that “the whole process of giving an amputee a prosthetic cover with their leg creates a different mindset and they like the prosthesis from day one. If you get someone in that mindset of, ‘I want to wear it, I’m going to walk, and I want to show it off’: that makes a world of

carel's story

Carel du Plessis, one of the participants, says he knows firsthand the importance of functional and stylish prosthetics. After a life-altering motorcycle accident five years ago, Carel lost his leg and faced immense financial and emotional challenges. For Carel, the customisable covers designed by the students represent more than aesthetics; they symbolise self-expression and a return to normalcy.

The covers allow Carel to adapt his prosthetic to his lifestyle, choosing a formal cover for professional settings or a sporty one for everyday activities. The psychological benefits have been immense. “It gives you back your self-esteem,” Carel says, reflecting on how the designs have helped him reintegrate into social and professional environments.

Students designing for impact

This project was another opportunity for the students to combine creativity with purpose. Communication Design student Abigael Cassel, who has long been interested in prosthetic design, enjoyed the challenge of creating a leg cover that was both aesthetically pleasing and practical. “To create something that could help someone or ease their life just a little bit is very rewarding,” Abigael shares.

Interaction Design student India Untiedt echoes this sentiment, highlighting the real-world impact of their work. India says that “it was amazing to design for a real purpose and make an impact on the world”. The project allowed the students to explore new design techniques while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Makers Lab gives students hands-on experience in product development, including woodworking, CAD software, and 3D printing. Philip’s extensive background in design and manufacturing – spanning industries from fashion to medical fields – guides the students in applying their skills to a project with significant personal and societal value.

The partnership between Cape Town Creative Academy and Orthocross Amputee Foundation has demonstrated that thoughtful, innovative design can transform lives. Both students and patients alike share that they are inspired by the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Carel, for one, is optimistic: “The sky is the limit with this,” he says. “The more we open this dialogue, the better results we’ll get.”

This collaboration exemplifies how creative problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and cognitive flexibility can lead to life-changing solutions, proving that design with a purpose has the power to transform lives.

At the Cape Town Creative Academy, we cherish and support our students’ individual journey. We recognise unique talents, interests, and goals and foster an environment where students can grow towards their potential.

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