Industrial design is often associated with sleek consumer electronics or eye-catching automotive forms. But sometimes, the most important work happens in the shadows—redesigning products that the world prefers not to see. One such example is the catheter bag: a medical device essential to millions, yet often stigmatized, overlooked, and poorly designed. UK-based consultancy PDR (Product Design and Research) took on the challenge to rethink this humble object. The result was more than a product refresh—it was a transformation of how patients relate to their own bodies and how society perceives disability and chronic illness.

The Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About

Catheter bags are used by people with a variety of medical conditions: spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders, prostate issues, post-surgery recovery, and more. These individuals often live with catheters for months, years, or even for life. Yet most commercial catheter bags are clunky, noisy, transparent, and clearly medical. They draw unwanted attention and can make users feel exposed, embarrassed, and dehumanized.

The typical bag is strapped to the leg, visible through clothing, with tubing that rustles and plastic that sloshes. Patients report feeling objectified—reduced to a “medical problem” rather than seen as a full person. In design terms, these bags fail to consider the lived experience of the user.

Enter PDR: Design with Empathy

PDR is a multidisciplinary design consultancy that bridges the gap between academic research and real-world product development. When they were approached to rethink the catheter bag, they saw more than an aesthetic opportunity—they saw a human challenge.

From the outset, PDR’s team grounded their process in ethnographic research. They interviewed catheter users, caregivers, and clinicians. They observed people in their homes, going about daily routines, noting not just functional challenges but emotional pain points. For many, the bag was a constant reminder of loss—of health, autonomy, and dignity.

This empathy-first approach became the foundation for the design. The team didn’t set out to “innovate” for the sake of it; they aimed to restore something fundamental: the right to feel normal.

Breaking Down the Redesign

The final product—simply called Dignity—looks nothing like a traditional catheter bag, and that’s the point. Every design choice serves a purpose. Here’s how PDR re-engineered the experience:

Visual Discretion

Gone is the transparent plastic. Dignity features an opaque, fabric-like outer shell in muted tones that resemble wearable textiles. It doesn’t scream “medical device”—it blends into clothing. From a distance, it could pass for a sport brace or small fashion accessory.

Noise Reduction

Standard catheter bags rustle with every movement. PDR tackled this by selecting soft-touch, low-friction materials. The result is a bag that doesn’t broadcast its presence in quiet rooms or public spaces.

Ergonomic Integration

Traditional straps are clumsy and often uncomfortable, causing slippage and pressure points. Dignity uses a wraparound form that conforms to the leg’s contour, with adjustable, breathable straps that hold firm without pinching. It feels less like a medical harness and more like a piece of activewear.

Tubing Management

Loose, visible tubing is both unsightly and prone to snagging. PDR designed an integrated channel system that routes tubing along the leg in a secure, discreet manner. This not only improves appearance but also reduces risk of disconnection or pulling.

Emotional Reframing

Design is never just about form—it’s about narrative. PDR made sure Dignity was packaged and branded with sensitivity. The tone avoids pity or clinical detachment. Instead, it celebrates self-care, independence, and personal choice.

Real-World Impression

Post-launch feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Users reported higher confidence levels and a greater willingness to engage in social activities. One user noted, “I no longer feel like I need to explain myself when I go out.” Clinicians praised the improved comfort and usability, noting that happier patients were also more compliant with proper use and maintenance.

Importantly, PDR didn’t treat Dignity as a one-size-fits-all fix. The design accommodates customization for different body sizes and lifestyles. It can be worn by younger adults who want minimal visibility, or older users who prioritize comfort above all.

The project also sparked wider conversations within the medical community about design equity—why devices for long-term users often lag behind in quality and aesthetics compared to consumer tech or sports gear.

Why This Matters

This case study highlights a critical gap in industrial design: the chronic underdesign of “unseen” medical products. In a field that often celebrates breakthrough innovation, PDR’s work is a reminder that transformation can come from paying close attention, not just thinking big.

Designing for dignity isn’t about luxury. It’s about necessity. People who rely on medical devices deserve the same care, intentionality, and respect as anyone else. In fact, they need it more—because their lives are already filled with systems that ignore or devalue them.

By rethinking a product that most designers wouldn’t touch, PDR elevated the role of industrial design as a force for empathy and inclusion.

Lessons for the Industry

PDR’s catheter bag redesign is a model for future-facing healthcare design. Here are a few key takeaways:

• Start with listening. Deep user research is not optional—it’s essential.
• Function and dignity are not trade-offs. You can have both, and you must aim for both.
• Design is storytelling. Even medical products carry meaning. How something looks and feels influences how it’s used—and how it makes the user feel.
• Challenge norms. Just because a product “has always looked like this” doesn’t mean it should.

Flow

In redesigning the catheter bag, PDR didn’t just improve a product—they shifted a paradigm. They proved that industrial design can reach beyond surfaces and touch something deeper: the way people see themselves. In the process, they showed the power of putting humanity first.

Dignity may be a small product in the grand scheme of healthcare, but its impact is outsized. It’s proof that when design stops overlooking people, it starts changing lives.

No comments yet.