design case studies

Ariana Koblitz: design research & human factors

february 2013

What does design mean to me?

As a design researcher and product designer, I strive to bridge the understanding of consumer insights and the behaviors we want to encourage in our users. I believe

design geared towards an impact for change in behavior as well as experience is fundamental to the "cutting edge" of

any industry; this includes physical interface design as well as hardware product development.

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examples of past projects reflect needs-oriented design guided by design research tools and strategies.

How do you design...

a toolPresentool

meaningfully?}{ a mapChorDoer

a product 4Arms

Today’s middle schoolers have new frame of references when it comes to presenting information. Technology

delivers an increasingly interactive experience.

Logitech Challenge [in methods course @ Stanford]

a toolPresentool

revolutions in digital presentations

what do you use at home?

pain points “I’m worried I’ll look awkward” “I can’t move like I want to”(unnatural stance) (impaired movement) (impaired interaction)

(newer presentation formats) (multiple sources) (interactive elements)

today’s middle schoolers have a different frame of references than what I grew up with. Technology delivers an increasingly interactive experience.

Academica is notoriously slow to catch up to these new behaviors.PREZI

new presentation tools such as prezi allow for expandable canvases and increase control in presentation flow, motion and other visual cues

“I am used to sharing cool things with my laptop; a presentation isn’t the same”

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this project meant prototyping its shape an exercise in researching ergonomics of the hand, but was also an exercise in material finishes.

Grip provides a comfortable, secure hold while also allowing presenter to have full use of hands in

the event of props and engaging motions

USB connection means a wireless link to a laptop

controls mirror those of traditional presentation tools | [pause] [forwards] [backwards]

top layer changes functionality of tool [laser pointer] [pen tool] [cursor]

laser comes out straight from back of tool, mimicking a natural hand motion

PRESENTOOL

Cultural Maps -- course at Stanford d.school

If only kids always thought of chores as play.How can we positively impact the negotiation between family

members when it comes to responsibility around the house?

a mapChorDoer

+

after interviews...

after house visits...

after group reflections...

we realized:

ChorDoer was my first foray into the process of developing insights to concepts. I learned the value of mentally preparing myself to be in someone else’s shoes and learn.

family members need to present chores as tangible, clear directives

chores need to appear in-time and in-context

rewards related to the chores when the whole family participates

to set up: to play:

CHORDOER

configure the apartment/houseincludes rooms/spacesupload photos of apartment layout

set choresassign to specific locationsassign reward pointsassign to a family member, or leave as bonus

do chores!see which ones are time-sensitiveupload photo to unlock reward

communicate with other family membersask questions/send clarificationsswap chores

bridge the digital & the real by

customizing the layout and view of the apartment (street

view style)

the more photos the better; chores become tangible instead of a vague responsibility

photo notifications and a “job well done!”gives real-time feedback

keeping “credits”gives family members something to strive for, swap, and compete on.

the ability to see the progress of all family chores creates a

sense of accountability

How may crutches allow users to retain physical, social, and emotional independence?

Senior Thesis Project project partner: Stephanie Tomasetta

a product 4Arms

speak to the community of users

speak to the experts

survey current offerings

Stumps R Us is a community for amputees, with monthly athletic outings and brunches.

Wayne Koniuk has been making leg prosthetics for decades, prototyping with new materials and technology

add to existing

buy new

physical comfort

emotional support

add to existing

buy new

physical comfort

emotional support

Current crutches address issues of style, usability, and comfort.

Our solution needed to incorporate an understanding of the whole system of an amputees experience. This means it starts from the first conversation say a veteran has with his physician at the Veterans Association, to when he receives his crutches and begins the process of learning how to walk with them, all the way through the time his cuffs, and his grip, wear out

The moments of life we focused on when searching for emotional support were when you meet someone, the moments you need to transport an item from A to B, and the moment you need to get yourself from A to B as well. .

Bespoke Innovation has set out to “bring more humanity to people who have congenital or traumatic limb loss “.

service offered

type of purchasevs

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we designed a cuff, with magnets at such an angle to be able to link together your crutches. The attachment uses the same standard screws the majority of c-cuff crutches

issued by the Veteran’s Association uses. This way, veterans, as well as other medicare insured patients, can supplement their crutches with 4Arms.

Crutches make it easier to walk. 4Arms makes it easier to live.4Arms

temporarily stow away,greet friends, pick up your things, hang your bag, and be on your way.

Thank you for taking a look at my past experiences! Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions at

akoblitz@alumni.stanford.edu

Ariana’s credentials, at a glanceAppendix

Ariana Tae Koblitz | a r i a n a k o b l i t z . s q u a re s p a c e . c o m | tel 3 1 0 3 8 4 7 8 6 4 | email a k o b l i t z @ a l u m n i . s t a n f o rd . e d u

Stanford University - STANFORD, CAB.S. in Product Design - December 2012RELEVANT COURSES: • Cultural Maps | Ethnographic insight as it relates to design; course at design institute (d.school)• Design Methods | Core in product design program; design process• Design & Manufacturing | CNC, lathe, mill, casting, woodworking

EDUCATION

Kolding School of Design - KOLDING, DENMARKMasters-Level course certificate - November 2012RELEVANT COURSES:• Nudge: Designing Positive Behavior | design sprint with local corporate clients

Internat’l School of Beijing - BEIJING, CHINA Internat’l Baccalaureate Certificate - 2009

Urawa Lutheran School - SAITAMA, JAPANIndependently organized year abroad - 2005 – 2006

John-F-Kennedy School - BERLIN, GERMANYDeutsche Mittlere Reife - 2005

HONORS & AWARDS

FELLOW, Stanford Haas Center Public Service Leadership Program (November 2009-September 2010)

EARNEST CHILTON AWARD (June 2012) given to the outstanding Product Design student of the graduating class

MEMBER, Cap & Gown Women’s Honors Society (November 2010-present)

COMPETENCIES

Language English (native) German (native)Chinese (proficient) Japanese (JLPT Level 2 certified) French (4 yrs high school proficiency)

SoftwareCAD: Solid Works CATIA

Adobe Suite: Photoshop Illustrator InDesign

Ariana Tae Koblitz | a r i a n a k o b l i t z . s q u a re s p a c e . c o m | tel 3 1 0 3 8 4 7 8 6 4 | email a k o b l i t z @ a l u m n i . s t a n f o rd . e d u

DESIGN EXPERIENCE

INTERN (MechEng) LUNAR DESIGN SAN FRANCISCOJune 2012-September 2012 Generated concepts in mechanism, human factors, and user experience/usability design. Conveyed complex ideas of our prototoyped products (medical, toy, household) to our clients in presentations.  

INTERN (PD) LITE ON MOBILE BEIJING, CHINAJune 2011-August 2011Designed injection mold tooling of cell phones during the latter stages of manufacturing. Aided the communication with their client’s American counterparts, clarifying needed changes.

PROJECT LEAD STANFORD & BERLIN September 2009-August 2010Designed & implemented qualitative research project on designer & user relationship, analyzing decisions and workflows. Received ME Summer Undergraduate Research Institute grant to pursue project, which included developing independent coursework to prepare for ethnographic research & case study in Berlin on designer-to-user relationship, analyzing decisions and workflows of Ursula Wunsch, a designer specializing in wooden toys for disabled children in Berlin

Ariana Tae Koblitz | a r i a n a k o b l i t z . s q u a re s p a c e . c o m | tel 3 1 0 3 8 4 7 8 6 4 | email a k o b l i t z @ a l u m n i . s t a n f o rd . e d u

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

SECTION LEADERME216a: Needfinding September - November 2012Teaching staff to a course taught by Dev Patnaik of the design consultancy Jump Associates, Inc. Led weekly discussions on readings, graded weekly assignments

VICE PRESIDENT | STANFORD PRODUCT DESIGN STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PDSA) May 2011- August 2012Oversaw all development of PDSA programs (created a mentorship program, recurring community development events and initiated a closer communication between department faculty and students)Led directorship training (collaboration methods, event organization, management skills training)

RESIDENT ASSISTANTROBINSON DORM (September 2010 - June 2012)Main contact concerning residents as a staff of Stanford’s Residential Education program. Developed dorm programming to introduce residents to my academic pursuits as well as interests

Ariana Tae Koblitz | a r i a n a k o b l i t z . s q u a re s p a c e . c o m | tel 3 1 0 3 8 4 7 8 6 4 | email a k o b l i t z @ a l u m n i . s t a n f o rd . e d u

ENJOYS SPENDING TIME

creating Mixed-media art pieces (check out arianakoblitz.squarespace.com/arts)trekking (Tibet, Cambodia, Torres del Paine (Patagonia) ... )

swimming, and at one time playing rugbyjamming on the flute