When design becomes a booby trap

Medical equipment is supposed to help us—not feel like a trap. Yet during my recent mammogram, I found myself twisted into an awkward position, my neck straining painfully, wondering: Was this machine ever designed with real patients in mind? (And yes, this “booby trap” was no joke. )

The machine in question has won a prestigious design award, praised for its “recognizable color concept” and rounded shapes designed to relieve anxiety. But let me tell you—when sensitive areas of your body are being pulled and squeezed, the color of the LED lights or the curvature of the machine is the last thing on your mind.

What really matters? Comfort. Accessibility. Usability.

For example, this machine cannot accommodate people in wheelchairs. And as a patient, I’ve never been so uncomfortable during a medical exam. Even the technician struggled to position me correctly. Adding to the frustration, she didn’t even have a place to wash her hands between patients—something no one thought to address when implementing this “award-winning” design.

This experience left me questioning:

Would a machine designed for men focus on colour schemes, or would usability take center stage?

And why do so many designs still prioritise aesthetics over solving real problems for the people who use them?

Great design must go deeper than appearances. It should be co-created with the people who use the machine and the people it’s used on. It’s not enough to focus on appearances or stereotypes—like assuming soft colors are what women need.

We all deserve designs that prioritise functionality, accessibility, and comfort. 💕

P.S. This was just a regular check, and all is fine on the boobie front.