Examples
of
our
work
UV Water Sterilizer
Client: Panasonic
Location: India & Japan
Description:
A low-cost, ultraviolet-based water sterilizer for use by low-income families in India. Incorporated numerous safety features to ensure sufficient water treatment and battery back-up to ensure access to safe drinking water even during power brown outs.
Work:
Initial design workshop in Tokyo with Panasonic engineers to review prior research, brainstorm concepts, and general human-centered design knowledge transfer. Alpha and beta prototype design and assembly in the U.S. followed by extensive user testing in India. Synthesized findings into concrete product recommendations for future development by Panasonic.
Outcome:
Fully-functional, high-fidelity prototype and plan for further development and production.
Manage
Research
Design
Build / Test
Produce
Educate
Client: Zola Electric
Location: Africa
Description:
A mass produced, affordable method of mounting small solar panels on homes throughout sub-Saharan Africa: ensure the panels are secure while providing adequate airflow around the panel (improving efficiency) and optimal orientation to the sky for maximum solar gain.
Work:
Initial concept development and prototyping followed by remote in-the-field user testing, design for manufacture, and design support during initial production run.
Outcome:
A reliable and easy to use solar panel mounting system used across the sub-Saharan African countries where Zola operates (Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast).
Solar Panel Mounting
Manage
Research
Design
Build / Test
Produce
Educate
Toilet Shelter
Client: WaterSHED
Location: Cambodia & Thailand
Description:
A mass produced, flat-packed toilet shelter for use by rural families that are installing a pit latrine at their home, often for the very first time.
Work:
Design review, user research, and design for manufacture followed by manufacturer sourcing in Thailand and support during initial production run.
Outcome:
Affordable, aspirational toilet shelters manufactured in Thailand and installed at homes across Cambodia.
Manage
Research
Design
Build / Test
Produce
Educate
Rice Planter
Client: Bill & Melinda Gates Found.
Location: Thailand
Description:
A locally produced, mechanical rice planter that reduces the labor required to sow a field of rice on the steep slopes of northern Thailand.
Work:
Design mentorship to a student team of engineers developing the planter including two trips to Thailand for user research, functional prototype testing / co-creation, and workshop set-up / training.
Outcome:
A labor saving device used by Thai farmers, manufactured locally in a small, dedicated workshop using regionally available materials.
Manage
Research
Design
Build / Test
Produce
Educate
Emergency Preparedness
Client: UNICEF
Location: Worldwide
Description:
A web-based platform for use by country, regional, and HQ offices to plan for emergencies in advance.
Work:
Review existing design, user research to identify pain points, information architecture, interaction design and prototyping.
Outcome:
A conceptual prototype and information architecture that formed the foundation for the Emergency Preparedness Platform currently used across all UNICEF countries.
Manage
Research
Design
Build / Test
Produce
Educate
Client: Airspace Systems, Inc.
Location: United States
Description:
A low-altitude airspace management platform for monitoring, visualizing, and controlling drone activity in sensitive airspace.
Work:
Product management and design leadership to a team of 25+ mechanical, electrical, and software engineers.
Outcome:
Web and mobile apps for monitoring and managing low-altitude airspace including integration of 3rd parts sensors (RF, radar, optical) and a fully-autonomous interceptor drone capable of removing other drones from the sky.
Low-Altitude Airspace
Manage
Research
Design
Build / Test
Produce
Educate
Education / Workshops
Client: Various
Location: Various
Description:
Hands-on human-centered design process and skills workshops for students and professionals.
Work:
Prepare and deliver engaging design workshops for teams and/or specific projects.
Outcome:
Greater understanding of the skills and processes required to effectively design products and services; participants leave with an increased ability to both practice on their own or to be constructive members of a design project.
Manage
Research
Design
Build / Test
Produce
Educate