**2.4 Color**

A lot of research has already been conducted on the relation between color, user perceptions and product selection. Although the range of color options for medical products is limited, still the color of the product contributes heavily in the product appearance.

In the case of orthotics, there is more flexibility to experiment with different colors compared to prosthetics. Depending on the application and user demands, products can be made transparent or incorporate color to stimulate concealing. The product design value for users changes when the product style or design parameters also change. For instance, traditional dental braces use metallic wiring to correct alignment issues. However, they are not esthetically pleasing and often make eating difficult for the user. Recently, several dental product manufacturers have started producing transparent dental braces without the slightest compromise on functionality. This example illustrates the influence of color preference in producing a positive user experience without sacrificing functionality.

With prosthetics, many users prefer the product to be similar to the tone of human skin. Due to the limited amount of color options for prosthetic devices, matching a user's skin color is challenging and may influence product acceptance. This could lead to a psychological unacceptance of the product as a part of their own body. Some users prefer their prosthetic devices to be more vibrant and colorful. Several new prosthetic limbs with printed artwork have been made available, which have been well received and successful among young users. Similarly researchers have tried introducing printed cartoon characters on orthotics designed for children which have been very effective. Body art's fashion trends such as tattooing are additional design possibilities whereby prosthetics can be perceived as more of a fashion statement rather than a reflection of personal limitation or disability. An intensive care must be taken to make the color of the device/product as natural and as iconic to meet the user's acceptability and psychological treat. The user should take certain cultural considerations into account when incorporating this type of device customization as it may not be appropriate for mass production. Interchangeable design skins may be a viable option in such circumstances. It is important to understand user needs and preferences when choosing the color of ortho-prosthetic devices.
