HEREFORD sculptor Matt Day is making a difference in the world of prosthetics with his ingenious designs which are already making heads turn.

The 35-year-old, who completed a Masters’ degree in Contemporary Applied Arts at Hereford College of Art in December, has come up with an innovative idea.

Instead of producing a functional prosthetic limb, his 3D printing creations are designed from a sculptural and aesthetic viewpoint.

Through a tutor at Hereford, Matt was put in touch with an MA student, herself an amputee, who has modelled his prosthetic arm design.

His own photographs, submitted as part of his degree, show the elegance of his work which can become a welcome talking point in social situations.

“She said it was amazing, something beautiful to wear which would create a conversation,” said Matt.

“The idea behind the piece is that it’s not a functional arm, but it takes away any awkwardness. It’s like a piece of jewellery, and when it’s taken off it becomes a sculpture.”

On a personal level, Matt’s craftsmanship has made an enormous difference to his life.

“I am severely dyslexic and I was very shy. This has made me come out of my shell,” he admitted.

Originally from Oxfordshire, Matt chose Hereford for his studies due to the art college’s renowned support for dyslexic students.

His reference to the word ‘shell’ is apt as he was inspired by a collection of molluscs in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. Now one of his own pieces has joined the exhibit.

“I am not afraid now of contacting people,” he said.

This autumn he will be taking his designs on tour throughout the country, and his work has recently featured in ‘Viewpoint’ – the so-called ‘design future’s book’ - widely considered to be the ‘Student’s Bible’.

Working from a studio at the Applestore Gallery in Hereford, Matt has crafted his designs using 3D printing technology which he explains is now playing a big part in prosthetics’ development. He praises the husband and wife team, David Laws and Marion Campbell who run the gallery in Rockfield Road.

“There are a lot of artists with very different styles but it is a strong and supportive community,” he said.

This week Matt has been showing his work at the New Designers’ exhibition in London’s Business Design Centre. Meanwhile, his ideas are being sought out by a specialist company in prosthetics’ development in Poland.