In my role as an industrial designer in the medical field, I designed multiple devices for various applications, focusing on smart, handheld products. These devices were designed to be used both in clinical settings by trained professionals, and by patients directly in their own homes. Although each device had specific requirements and deliverables, there were consistent considerations across each project:

Aesthetics - Given the potentially intimidating nature involved in using medical devices, it was important to create designs with an overall friendly appearance through the use of soft curves and rounded edges. At the same time, as users would rely on these devices to complete important medical procedures, these designs also needed to appear dependable. This was achieved through the use of symmetry for a balanced feel or tapered silhouettes for the appearance of precision.

Ergonomics - As all of the devices I designed were handheld, there was an emphasis on creating forms that could fit and be used comfortably by a wide range of hand sizes. Strategies included referencing anthropomorphic data to size parts and using interchangeable components that could be adjusted for varying hand sizes. Clay and 3D printed models were used to verify the ergonomics with potential users.

Usability - Ensuring the products I designed were intuitive and easy to use was vital, as they would have direct impacts on the health of the users. These devices would need to be intuitive to use and designed in a way to reduce the risk of user error. This was achieved through following established industry standards, integrating multiple forms of feedback, and reducing the number of steps needed to complete tasks. 

Cost - It was important to find a balance between cost savings and device complexity throughout the design process. This was accomplished through device miniaturization and a reduction in the number of parts in order to reduce material cost.

Manufacturability - The products I worked on were designed to be injection molded, so considerations had to be made during the 3D modeling process including draft angles, partition lines, and eliminating potential undercuts. Throughout each project, I worked with manufacturing engineers to ensure the devices could be easily produced.