Taboo to mainstream: an industrial design solution to sex toy production

Sex toys are rarely a topic for academic consideration let alone a PHD. They generally remain hidden and anonymous products poorly conceived and designed made of unsafe materials produced by the pornography industry with outdated views on female sexuality and gender. Yet sexuality and sexual practice is central to human wellbeing. This thesis challenges the notions of such products as taboo and unworthy of consideration by the design disciplines. This thesis addresses both the technical considerations and socio-sexual behaviour and belief systems that prevent this product genre being considered mainstream product design and provides an exemplar of how design culture, process and methods can align the industry with contemporary female consumers.