understanding thein to find new

experiencecontext opportunities

EMPATHIZE

DEFINE

IDEATE

PROTOTYPE

TEST

(photo taken in Punta Arenas, Chile in 2012)

PRODUCT DESIGNERARIANA KOBLITZ

august 2013

What does design mean to me?

I strive to bridge the understanding of consumer insights and the behaviors we want to encourage in our users.

Ultimately, I hope to encourage behaviors I believe bring out the best (and new) in us. I value a team that supports each other and believe with great diversity comes a great, if at

times challenging, process.

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This skill-set helps me recognize and address challenges, guided by a process that keeps me honest about who I

create for and how I intend to impact behaviors of others.

cast turn mill sew CNC print

CAD “gibbs”sketchplay

{When I...

edit

EMPATHIZE

DEFINE

IDEATE

PROTOTYPE

TEST

examples of past projects reflect needs-oriented design manufactured in Stanford’s Product Realization Lab

... I create for a patient PillPrimer }{a student Presentool

an amputee 4Arms

meaningfully.

2000s: the digital remote

Our focus for our final project was the long-term crutch user.  

Although the disability lies in the lower extremities, crutches prevent the instinctive and fluid use of your arms, which meant a need to rely on others for help. We set out to give crutch users their independence back. 

Today’s middle schoolers have new frame of references when it comes to presenting information. Technology delivers an increasingly interactive experience.

Logitech challenged us to figure out what is next for the presentation remote

Logitech Challenge in: Design Methodology (course lead by: LUNAR Design’s John Edson)

Presentooldesigning for students

1920s: the pointer

2020s: ?

What will come next?

How will presentation tools change to reflect the wider range of demographics making presentations?

And how can a tool keep up with the broad range of media used?

Logitech, along with the majority of remote makers, offer a straight, sometimes hand cupp-able stub, embedded with buttons that parallel the music-players and tv-remotes of the world.

?

revolutions in digital presentations

what do you use at home?

pain points

(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

{

{

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“I’m worried I’ll look awkward”

(unnatural stance)“I can’t move like I

want to”(impaired

movement)

“I’m used to sharing cool things with my laptop; a presentation isn’t

the same”

(impaired interactions)

After watching people talk in various different contexts (ranging from informal conversations, to class communication, to more formal presentations) I identified the freedom of movement most dear to students.

I compared the motions I saw with what was possible with existing presentation remote controls, to help iterate around possible new, and currently untapped, ways to enable movement.

Prototyping ranged from simple fimo to more complicated spring-levers and elastic bands.

The form factor hit close to visual markers that relate Presentool with other gaming hardware

I hadn’t appreciated looks-like model until you try and paint a porous surface... over and over and over again.

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

4Arms

My challenge: How do you help people adhere to their pill regimen?

Especially ones with busy schedules tend to easily walk out of the door without taking their requisite dose.

The objective: to end with an injection molded product.

Final project in course: Design for Manufacturing [ME318]

PillPrimerdesigning for long-term patients

I looked at the contents of people’s purses, of the objects closest to them, trying to find something to connect habits to.

I drew out possible scenarios

3)

So is paperFoam is a fantastic medium to prototype inAll prototyping led from carry-on to clip-on finally to: 1. Discovering that morning routines are consistent, regardless of

where you are 2. That the one travel companion is the toothbrush, which acts as a

mechanical, tangible reminder to take pills before or after eating a meal

3. Pills fit into a watertight pocket inside a plastic sleeve for your toothbrush.

1) 2)

CAD was much harder to master, but a great tool once I felt comfortable with it

PillPrimer was an learning opportunity for me to understand what it takes to create a functional mold for an injection molding machine. Although ultimately I do not have a final product to showcase here, I can’t help but celebrate a product that that I know I will finish one of these days, and the work that went into creating the molds.

Our focus for our final project was the long-term crutch user.  

Although the disability lies in the lower extremities, crutches prevent the instinctive and fluid use of your arms, which meant a need to rely on others for help. We set out to give crutch users their independence back. 

Capstone Project for Product Design studies program [with Stephanie Tomasetta]

4Armsdesigning foramputees

After walking around in crutches for days, alongside extensive user interviews, we pinpointed the moments that undermined a sense of independence.  

It’s the simple things that build up over time; stairs and uneven terrain we expected to be hardships, but the fact that we could not hug or reach out for someone’s hand spontaneously without fearing complications were painful moments we hadn’t anticipated.

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.

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

Sunrise senior living provides care for both long-term, as well as temporary residents.

The Department of Veterans Affairs was a great source of inspiration, as well as concrete examples of what post-amputation rehabilitation looks like.

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

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

• we spoke to the target audience

• we conducted ethnographic research

• we surveyed current offerings

We initially developed a concept around luxury crutches, to give “personality” back to crutch users, but quickly moved on to more functional aspirations.

We recognized that changing the skin would only do so much for a product that is not directly looked at by the user much.

A life-sized prototype helped us recognize what impacts users moment-to-moment.

F O U R A R M S Stephanie Tomasetta Ariana Koblitz

bent wood creates a support for the forearm

malleable cushion molds to your arm

matte rubber grip

the Shoot presents a more sophisticated solution for long-term crutch uses, using more luxurious, high-end materials and referencing a more re!ned environment the TENDON

Stephanie Tomasetta Ariana Koblitz!"#$

the Tendon is more than an accessory-- the support of the crutch plus the addition of the suspended “tendons” gives the long-term crutch user a more comfortable experience throughout the day, regardless of the activity planned.

aluminum tubing creates a support around the elbow and upper arm

malleable cushion molds to your arm

matte rubber grip

the Twist

Stephanie Tomasetta Ariana Koblitz

this playful rendition of our forearm crutch is meant to augment your personal style

aluminum tubing provides support underneath the forearm

matte rubber grip

!

Our competitive analysis included a wide range of current product presentations, including accessories, luxury goods, and replacements.

• we spoke to the target audience

• we conducted ethnographic research

• we surveyed current offerings

From our ethnographic research, we recognized a fourth issue: quality of social interactions

Current crutches address major issues: quality of style, usability, and comfort.

With that in mind, we took a look at the relationship between value proposition and the type of purchases of current products on the market:

add to existing

buy new

providephysical comfort

provideemotional support

service offered

type of purchase

open market niche

Product Manufacturer Price

Prevent Crutch Falling

Hands Free Cap. Comfort

Bag Carrying Style

Walking Aid

Where sold

FourArms FourArms $57.00IZI Magnetic Sheath Fetterman $29 onlineSunrise Tube Crutch Holder for wheelchairs quickie wheelchairs $65 onlineCane Holder Nova $9.99 storePaddings/Grip elastogel $20 online Forearm Crutch Bag WalkEasy $24.95 onlineGrip cover for pediatric crutches WalkEasy $14.95 onlineForearm Crutch Pads Crutcheze $29 onlineOrtho-Medic Crutch NOVA $89.90 onlineCane Bag NOVA $14.95 onlineiWalk Free Hands Free Crutch JustWalkers $394 onlineForearm Crutch Smart Crunch $119.95 onlineIn motion forearm crutch Millennial $89.95 onlineWalk Easy Platform Forearm Crutches Walk Easy $139 onlineVersa Crutch Pack Adaptable Designs $23.95 onlineCrutch Tote EZ Access $19.95 onlineEuroStyle Aluminum Forearm Crutch EuroStyle $39.95 onlineGel Ovations Forearm Crutch Pad GelRaps Gel Ovations $29.95 onlineRamm TLC OnlyOne Ultra Light Crutch Ramm TLC 148.95 onlineStrong Arm Forearm Crutch - Strong Arm $49.95 onlineComfort Cuff The DeMay Med $235 onlineComfort Grip Adjustable Crutches Comfort Grip $41.69 onlineMagic Soft Anatomic Crutch Grey Ergonomic Handles Magic Soft $70 online

4Arms is a set of forearm crutch cuffs that users can purchase to replace the standard crutch cuffs that are issued through basic health insurance.  The two injection molded cuffs are shaped to allow you to comfortably bring them together through embedded magnets. The shape of the crutch allows the user to temporarily attach one crutch to the other. This function enables the user to easily extract one arm.

We found our groove iterating around the cuffs, finding ways for them to connect temporarily.

And then figured out how we could create a feasible model for mass manufacturing

greet friends, temporarily stow away,

pick up,hang, and be on your way.

with 4Arms:

Crutches make it easier to walk.

4Arms makes it easier to live.

watch a short video of 4Arms in use here

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

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 prototyped 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

RESEARCHER DESIGN CONCEPTS MADISON, WISCONSINApril 2012 - (expected July 2012) Conducted field research for both physical products and medications. Analyzed qualitative data for needfinding, including facilitating analysis settings with our clients. Presented a strategic path borne out of the needs analysis.

CORPORATE PROJECTS

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

LEADERSHIP NOTES

Stanford University - STANFORD, CA:• Negotiation | Stan Christensen | Tactics and methods based on Harvard Business Review• Associated Stanford Student Body Leadership Program

STRENGTHS QUEST:

CommunicationActivatorIndividualizationArrangerAdaptability

Meyer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)last taken: July 2012ENTP -Extravert

-Intuition-Thinking-Judging

REFERENCES

Stefanie Norvaisas (stefanie.norvaisas@design-concepts.com)Director of Strategy & Research, Design Concepts, Inc

Jonathan Downing (jonathan@lunar.com)Lead Mechanical Engineer, LUNAR Design

David Kelley (kelley@stanford.edu)Professor, Stanford University & co-founder of IDEO

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

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 r i a n s k y @ g m a i l . c o m