Examples

Program examples

Industrial condensate pump station

Problem/Opportunity – Create a housing for a condensate pump housing that enhances the brand image

Solution – Sheet metal housing with distinctive hole pattern, prominent brand image/badge, and appropriate ergonomic interface

Tools used – Team development, sketching visualization, rapid full scale mock up, CAD modeling

Split air-conditioning outdoor unit

Problem/Opportunity – Explore novel aesthetic configurations and manufacturing methods for the outdoor unit air-conditioning unit

Solution – Aesthetically pleasing air flow vent patterns and durable manufacturing methods for the high volume manufacturing methods

Tools used – CAD modeling and rendering

Stand mounted sleep fan concept

Problem/Opportunity – Create a filtered fan for sleep comfort

Solution – Complete assembly for high volume manufacturing of fan and filter

Tools used – Team development, sketching visualization, CAD modeling. iterative concept models

Integrated display on refrigerator door

Problem/Opportunity – Create a concept exploring the collision of display technology with a refrigerator

Solution – Use a transparent display to integrate with the refrigerator door assembly

Tools used – Sketching visualization, CAD modeling, rendering and animation

Wall mounted sleep fan concept

Problem/Opportunity – Create a wall mounted, filtered fan for sleep comfort

Solution – Complete assembly for high volume manufacturing of fan and filter

Tools used – Team development, sketching visualization, CAD modeling. iterative concept models

Split air-conditioning indoor unit

Problem/Opportunity – Explore novel, aesthetically appropriate minimal height structures for the air flow configurations

Solution – Low profile fans to in aesthetically pleasing housing configurations

Tools used – Small design team brainstorming, extensive product platform and manufacturing knowledge, CAD visualization and rendering software

Refrigeration platform design

Problem/Opportunity – Explore meaningful novel configurations of refrigerators for global markets

Solution – Multidoor novel configurations that are appropriate for the consumer market

Tools used – Small design team brainstorming, extensive product platform and manufacturing knowledge, CAD visualization and rendering software

Furniture ideation

Problem/Opportunity – Create a chair utilizing natural sustainable materials

Solution – Leverage the creativity of image artificial intelligence to rapidly explore novel configurations

Tools used – Artificial intelligence program and associated targeted prompts

Desk lamp ideation

Problem/Opportunity – Create concepts for a desktop lamp

Solution – Leverage the creativity of image artificial intelligence to rapidly explore novel configurations

Tools used – Artificial intelligence program and associated targeted prompts

Concept development exploring CNC cutting with no fasteners

Problem/Opportunity – High volume, 3/4″ plywood, no fasteners, outdoor seating, flatpack shipping and storage

Solution – Parts CNC cut from 4′ x 8′ 3/4″ plywood, no fasteners, flat packed to minimize shipping costs

Tools used – Story telling, parametric CAD modeling, foam board modeling, image rendering

Concept development exploring face mask construction

Problem/Opportunity – High volume, reusable face masks with proper fit

Solution – Insert molded filter, formed material, modular system with silicone dual edge seal and single strap

Tools used – Story telling, parametric CAD modeling, facial scans, image rendering

Air conditioning filtration system

(work done at Whirlpool Corporation)

Problem/Opportunity – Development of split air conditioner in-door-unit that includes a flexible filtration system

Solution – Visualization of patent-able concept to protect the idea

Tools used – Cross functional team, CAD modeling, prototyping, image rendering, patent

Concept creation for refrigerator manufacturer

(work done at Whirlpool Corporation)

Problem/Opportunity – Revitalization of commodity product while exploring new streams of revenue

Solution – Improved aesthetics, integration of lighting technologies, integration of revenue generating display panels, integration of commodity liquid container for through door dispensing, customization of front panels

Tools used – Story telling, cross functional team, project management, visual brand language development, hand sketching, vector and raster image creation and exploration, ergonomic envelopes applications and experimentation, color and material development, CAD modeling, prototyping, image rendering

Chess set exploration of gyroid geometry

Problem/Opportunity – Exploration of gyroid geometry as applied to a chess set

Solution – CAD geometry creation of complex surface geometry exploring aesthetic options

Tools used – Parametric CAD modeler with various topological fill geometry

Concept creation and execution for exercise equipment manufacturer

(work done at Volan Design)

Problem/Opportunity – Technology and mechanical system commercial exercise product creation and launch

Solution – Development and application of branded ‘ski’ machine product setting up a series of branded exercise products

Tools used – Story telling, cross functional team, project management, visual brand language development, hand sketching, vector and raster image creation and exploration, ski machine prototype mechanisms, ergonomic envelopes applications and experimentation, aluminum extrusion manufacturing, injection molding, pressure forming, painting, artwork development and labeling, color and material development, CAD modeling, prototyping, image rendering

Biopsy needle concept and execution 

(work done at Volan Design)

Problem/Opportunity – Bone marrow biopsy needle ergonomic improvements and market differentiation

Solution – Novel, patented, ergonomically efficient hand tool that minimize fatigue and increases control for an invasive procedure

Tools used – Story telling, cross functional team, user on site research, form modeling, hand sketching, vector and raster image creation and exploration, prototype mechanisms, ergonomic testing and experimentation, image rendering

Concept creation and prototype development

Problem/Opportunity – Hand tool ergonomic improvements and clutter minimization

Solution – Create a ergonomically efficient hand tool system minimizing storage drawer clutter cost effectively

Tools used – Story telling, visual brand language development, hand sketching, vector and raster image creation and exploration, prototype mechanisms, ergonomic envelopes applications and experimentation, color and material development, CAD modeling, prototyping, image rendering

Concept creation and prototype development

Problem/Opportunity – Custom clocks utilizing ‘one off’ techniques that bring value to a commodity product

Solution – Create a series of aesthetically pleasing materials and techniques on a common platform of components

Tools used – Story telling, hand sketching, vector and raster image creation and exploration, clock mechanisms, color, fabrication techniques, material development, parametric CAD modeling, prototyping, image rendering

Concept creation and visualization

Problem/Opportunity – Use of imagery to create customized furniture at reasonable prices

Solution – Black and white images can be used to create ‘relief maps’ for surfaces that can be produced with rapid prototyping techniques and then applied to standard furniture sizes as a personalized module

Tools used – Story telling, photography, image creation and exploration, prototype CAD modeling

Concept development exploring solar energy

Problem/Opportunity – Cordless personal comfort for free

Solution – Common solar charged battery used to power a family of products – Light, fan, air cleaner, heater

Tools used – Story telling, brand language development, 5V battery technology, high volume manufacturing techniques, solar panel recharging, parametric CAD modeling, image rendering

Concept development exploring mental health

Problem/Opportunity – Single and lonely in a connected world

Solution – ‘Dinner with Mom’ connected furniture

Tools used – Story telling, flat monitor technologies, ergonomic envelopes, furniture manufacturing techniques, parametric CAD modeling, image rendering

Concept development low voltage system

Problem/Opportunity – Exploration power pack or Qi charger on a desktop system using a common brand language

Solution – 5V power pack/light pace and/or wall adapter with copper wire, weighted or marble base

Tools used – Story telling, 5V power pack, parametric CAD modeling, 3D printer prototyping, capacitance switching, model making

Concept development exploring habits and technologies

Problem/Opportunity – Remember where I read that?

Solution – Novel digital hi-lighter memory stylus

Tools used – Story telling, parametric CAD modeling, image rendering