Ariana Koblitz: a Design Researcher

Ariana Koblitz: design research & human factors design case studies 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.

}

a tool Presentool How do you design...

{

a map ChorDoer a product

4Arms

}

meaningfully?

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

a tool Presentool 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]

pain points

{

what do you use at home?

{

revolutions in digital presentations

{

(unnatural stance) “I’m worried I’ll look awkward”

PREZI

(impaired movement) “I can’t move like I want to”

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

(newer presentation formats)

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

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.

(multiple sources)

(interactive elements)

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

laser comes out straight from back of tool, mimicking a natural hand motion top layer changes functionality of tool [laser pointer] [pen tool] [cursor] controls mirror those of traditional presentation tools | [pause] [forwards] [backwards]

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

PRESENTOOL

a map ChorDoer

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?

Cultural Maps -- course at Stanford d.school

after interviews...

we realized:

after house visits...

family members need to present chores as tangible, clear directives

after group reflections...

chores need to appear in-time and incontext rewards related to the chores when the whole family participates

+

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.

to set up:

to play:

set chores

do chores!

assign to specific locations assign reward points assign to a family member, or leave as bonus

see which ones are time-sensitive upload photo to unlock reward

photo notifications and a “job well done!”gives realtime feedback

communicate with other family members

configure the apartment/ house

ask questions/send clarifications swap chores

includes rooms/ spaces upload photos of apartment layout 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

CHORDOER

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

a product

4Arms How may crutches allow users to retain physical, social, and emotional independence? project partner: Stephanie Tomasetta

Senior Thesis Project

speak to the community of users

{

speak to the experts

{

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.

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 “.

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

add to existing

survey current offerings

{

physical comfort

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

type of purchase vs service offered

emotional support

buy new

add to existing

physical comfort

emotional support

buy new

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.

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

4Arms

Crutches make it easier to walk.

4Arms makes it easier to live.

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

Appendix

Ariana’s credentials, at a glance

Ariana Tae Koblitz

|

arianakoblitz.squarespace.com

EDUCATION

|

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 r d . e d u

COMPETENCIES Stanford University - STANFORD, CA B.S. in Product Design - December 2012 RELEVANT 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 Kolding School of Design - KOLDING, DENMARK Masters-Level course certificate - November 2012 RELEVANT 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, JAPAN Independently organized year abroad - 2005 – 2006 John-F-Kennedy School - BERLIN, GERMANY Deutsche Mittlere Reife - 2005

Language English (native) German (native) Chinese (proficient) Japanese (JLPT Level 2 certified) French (4 yrs high school proficiency) Software CAD: Solid Works CATIA Adobe Suite: Photoshop Illustrator InDesign

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

Ariana Tae Koblitz

|

arianakoblitz.squarespace.com

|

tel 3 1 0 3 8 4 7 8 6 4

DESIGN EXPERIENCE INTERN (MechEng) LUNAR DESIGN SAN FRANCISCO June 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. Â

INTERN (PD) LITE ON MOBILE BEIJING, CHINA June 2011-August 2011 Designed 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 2010 Designed & 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

|

email a k o b l i t z @ a l u m n i . s t a n f o r d . e d u

Ariana Tae Koblitz

|

arianakoblitz.squarespace.com

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE SECTION LEADER ME216a: Needfinding September - November 2012 Teaching 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 2012 Oversaw 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 ASSISTANT ROBINSON 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

|

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 r d . e d u

Ariana Tae Koblitz

|

arianakoblitz.squarespace.com

|

tel 3 1 0 3 8 4 7 8 6 4

|

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 rugby jamming on the flute

email a k o b l i t z @ a l u m n i . s t a n f o r d . e d u