visual pedagogy

On pelvic floor implications

In a world where LLM are rapidly generating outcomes, I feel a sense of contribution by sharing the human side of my work: the process.

Simona Casolari

Jun 18, 2024 — 4 min read

I am not going to pretend to write a medical essay on the implications of the pelvic floor. However, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with medical startups and several healthcare professionals who are admirably addressing this subject.

Below, you'll find two case studies for visually-based pedagogic projects I have conducted on this topic so far. More projects are in the works, as the subject remains ever-relevant and continues to spark both personal and societal interest.

Kegelness, the pelvic floor digital platform
Monsieur le Périnée, a comic strip series intended for young audiences

Kegelness, the pelvic floor digital platform

It all began back in 2015. In early February, I left my 9-to-5 job at a large advertising agency in Paris and started freelancing. One of my first projects as a graphic and web designer was Kegelness.

Kegelness is a Swiss-based digital platform aimed at raising awareness about pelvic floor issues and solutions.

woman typing on a laptop with browser window open on kegelness.com — The Kegelness.com homepage guides the user through carefully curated categories

By going across various related studies and market research, while keeping the company’s mission in mind, I was able to thoughtfully design the Kegelness brand identity and build its website. An interesting add-on of the platform is the KegelCoach directory: an indexed visual map that helps users locate healthcare practitioners in their area.

Screenshot of a custom map where to find healthcare pratictioners on pelvic floor issues — The KegelCoach map gathers specialized Swiss healthcare professionals

Many more visual supports have been created over the years in order to continuously help women and men alike to become aware of pelvic floor-related issues.

One of the most notable project was a leaflet produced in collaboration with the Aspug-PP association (Swiss Association of Physiotherapists specialized in Uro-Gynecology and Pelvi-Perineology).

A trifold leaflet on pelvic floor implications, with illustrated characters — The leaflet was distributed to the Planète Santé expo 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland

The inside of the leaflet features hand-drawn anatomic illustrations. For the cover we have choosen eye-catching comic-styled characters.

The Kegelness platform, currently available in French but ready for translation, continues to provide valuable information to its users through a rich blog, a curated shop, and regular local events.

Monsieur le Périnée

While Kegelness primarily targets people who already have pelvic floor issues and aims to raise awareness about the importance of exercising, what about preventing issues rather than just alleviating them? What about young audiences?

Fast-forward to 2018, when I took a professional course in narrative arts at École CESAN in Paris. For the comics scenario module, I chose to develop a comic strip series with the pelvic floor as the main character. Each episode addresses a different topic, providing useful generic information to young girls and people not yet affected by pelvic floors issues.

I aimed for the comics to be fun and for each concept to be easily understood. I hope I succeeded.

Monsieur Le Périnée, an original comic strips series on pelvic floor implications. Episode #1 Introduction. — Monsieur Le Périnée, Comic Strip #1 – Introduction

Monsieur Le Périnée, an original comic strips series on pelvic floor implications. Episode #2 The Place. — Monsieur Le Périnée, Comic Strip #2 – The place

Monsieur Le Périnée, an original comic strips series on pelvic floor implications. Episode #3 Disappeared. — Monsieur Le Périnée, Comic Strip #3 – Disappeared

Monsieur Le Périnée, an original comic strips series on pelvic floor implications. Episode #4 Problems. — Monsieur Le Périnée, Comic Strip #4 – Problems

To date, this is still a school-related project. However, I am collaborating with a midwife (and work is already in progress) to turn it into a valuable resource for herself, her colleagues, other healthcare professionals, and most importantly, their patients.

I actually find it more rewarding to proceed step by step and to document the process, rather than waiting for the final product to be ready. In a world where machine learning models are rapidly generating outcomes, I feel a sense of contribution by sharing the human side of my work.

Expect some imperfections along the way.
And thanks for sticking around.

Simona