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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the revolutionary Clear RX prescription packaging system, created by designer Deborah Adler. What began as a personal experience with her grandparents' medication mix-up evolved into a groundbreaking design that transformed how medications are dispensed in America. The episode reveals how thoughtful design thinking, strategic partnerships, and persistence can create meaningful impact in healthcare.
Through an engaging conversation with Deborah Adler herself, this episode uncovers how a designer's entrepreneurial spirit, combined with deep observational insights and strategic collaboration, can overcome complex regulatory challenges to bring innovative solutions to market.
Key TopicsThe Genesis of Clear RX
Deborah's pivot from a thesis on curly hair products to prescription bottle design following her grandmother's medication mix-upThe concept of "Gemba" (Japanese for "the real place") and its importance in identifying real-world problemsInitial prototype development using dollhouse materials and tubingDesign Evolution & Features
D-shaped bottle design evolution to accommodate child safety capsCollaboration with industrial designer Klaus RosbergKey design elements:Upside-down orientation for better grip and accessibilityEnhanced label space for improved readabilityColor-coding system for family member identificationInformation design and layout highlighting crucial label informationHigh-contrast text for better visibilityStrategic Implementation
Navigation of regulatory challenges through FDA consultationPartnership with Target as a strategic choice for market entryRapid development and implementation within one yearBalance between innovation and practical constraintsBeyond Clear RX
Development of Adler RX system for managing multiple medication regimensContinued innovation in healthcare design through collaborations with CVS and Johnson & JohnsonImpact on both pharmacy and design communitiesDesign Principles & Lessons
Importance of working within constraints rather than fighting themValue of direct observation in identifying design opportunitiesRole of strategic partnerships in bringing innovations to marketBalance between creativity and practical implementationSignificance of understanding regulatory landscapes in healthcare designAdditional ResourcesClear Rx Medication Systsem Visual Overview
Adler Design
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In this episode, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the groundbreaking design of the OXO Good Grips Peeler, an everyday tool that transformed how people interact with kitchen products. Featuring an exclusive interview with Davin Stowell, the founder of Smart Design and the visionary behind the peeler, the episode unpacks the story of how one small tool became a design revolution. Created with a focus on accessibility and universal usability, the peeler emerged from Sam Farberâs inspiration to help his wife, Betsy, manage kitchen tasks despite her arthritis. This intention not only sparked the iconic Good Grips Peeler but also launched OXO as a household name synonymous with thoughtful, inclusive design.
The conversation delves into the essence of what makes the OXO Good Grips Peeler an enduring example of good designâits intuitive handle, ergonomic form, and careful balance of signaling and functionality. This episode highlights the peelerâs journey from concept to market, showing how Stowellâs commitment to observation, prototyping, and user-centered design practices set a new standard. Listeners will come away with a richer understanding of how design principles and values can create products that improve lives and build stronger market connections.
Key PointsOXO Good Grips Design Origins and beginnings of Inclusive Design- Discover how Sam Farberâs insight into his wifeâs struggle with kitchen tools inspired a radical redesign focused on accessibility. Learn how this user-first approach laid the foundation for OXOâs success.Interview with Davin Stowell- Davin Stowell shares behind-the-scenes insights into the development process, from partnering with the Arthritis Foundation to testing prototypes with users. He discusses how OXOâs commitment to user centered design and inclusive design has impacted the industry.Form and Function in Balance- The episode explores how the OXO peelerâs tactile handle and intuitive blade orientation create an inviting, easy-to-use tool. Albert and Thamer highlight the peelerâs distinctive âfinsâ on the handle as an example of both a functional and branding element.Testing and Prototyping- Stowell emphasizes the value of iterative prototyping and user testing, sharing anecdotes about testing materials, blade alignment, and even listening for the perfect peeling sound to ensure the final product met OXOâs high standards.Legacy and Impact- Reflect on how the OXO Good Grips Peeler set a benchmark for good design that is inclusive, becoming an iconic example in product design history. The episode questions how these design principles remain relevant and are applied today.Additional ResourcesSmart Design- Discussion with Tucker Fort, Smart Design Partner on How Smart Design is Inclusive Design
Fast Company- Davin Stowell shares his thoughts on The Untold Story of the Vegetable Peeler That Changed the World
OXO Website- The company shares the history Behind the Design: OXO's Iconic Good Grips Handles
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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore how Zipline is addressing critical gaps in healthcare delivery through the use of autonomous drones. Especially in underserved rural areas, where timely access to medical supplies can mean the difference between life and death, Zipline's iterative approach to widening healthcare access has made real impact. The discussion highlights the key elements of Ziplineâs success: their culture of ruthless practicality, their focus on simple, cost-effective solutions rather than theoretical perfection, and the role that partnerships with governments, like Rwandaâs, played in scaling their operations.
Key PointsHealthcare Access Challenge: Over 4 billion people live in rural areas with limited healthcare access, leading to preventable deaths due to a lack of medical supplies.Ziplineâs Mission: Founded in 2014 by Keller Renaudo Cliffton and Keenan Wyrobek, Zipline set out to solve these logistical challenges by developing autonomous drones capable of delivering medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas.Innovative Drone Design: Zipline operates two platforms: Platform 1 for rural deliveries, using fixed-wing drones with a parachute-drop system. Platform 2 for urban areas, utilizing a hybrid drone with precision delivery via a descending âDroid.âRwanda Success Story: Zipline launched its operations in Rwanda in 2016, initially serving 21 hospitals. By 2019, they were delivering 75% of the countryâs blood supply outside the capital, reducing blood wastage and maternal deaths.Global Expansion: Zipline now operates in Ghana, Japan, the United States, and other countries, partnering with retailers like Walmart and expanding their delivery scope to include retail and various medical supplies.Regulation and Equity in Emerging Technologies: The role of regulation to keep pace with technology to avoid unintended negative outcomes and help ensure that underserved communities gain access to these advances, rather than being left behind.Additional ResourcesIEEE Spectrum: Detailed article discussing how Zipline designed its Droid delivery systemZiplineâs Website: Learn more about their technology and global operations at FlyZipline.comGates Foundation: Discover the foundationâs work on global healthcare and their partnership with Zipline at gatesfoundation.orgLeap Design: A catalyst organization to build design capabilities and unlock latent potential in existing networks to promote the well-being of people and the planet Leap.org100 Greatest Designs List: Check out IDâs list of the 100 Greatest Designs of All Time
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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum delve into the creation of Raspberry Piâa $35, credit card-sized computer that has revolutionized technology education and sparked innovation worldwide. They explore the origins of the Raspberry Pi, its foundational design principles, its profound impact on education and industry, and why it succeeded where other educational technologies struggled.
Joined by special guest Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design and author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, the conversation expands to discuss approaches for designing for educational outcomes, including the topics of stakeholder-centered design, the pitfalls of techno-determinism, and the importance of designing with marginalized communities in mind.
This episode sheds light on how a small team of visionaries created a low-cost, versatile computing platform that reignited interest in computer science education and empowered a global community of innovators. The discussion underscores the importance of affordability, accessibility, stakeholder engagement, and a clear mission in developing impactful technological solutions.
Key TopicsThe Origins of Raspberry Pi
Motivation for Creation: Addressing the alarming decline in computer science applicants and rekindling interest in programming among youth.Inspiration from the Past: Drawing lessons from early home computers like the BBC Micro to create an accessible platform.Formation of the Raspberry Pi Foundation: Establishing a nonprofit organization focused on education.Design Principles of Raspberry Pi
Affordability: Achieving a groundbreaking price point of $25-$35 to democratize access to computing.Accessibility: Utilizing open-source hardware and software to encourage tinkering and learning.Versatility: Incorporating GPIO pins and modular design to enable a wide range of projects, from robotics to environmental sensing.Nonprofit Mission: Balancing educational goals with sustainable practices through a commercial arm.Impact on Education and Community
Empowering Educators and Students: Supporting over 26,000 teachers and 12,000 schools in the UK, fostering hands-on, project-based learning.Global Community Engagement: Building a vibrant ecosystem of makers, educators, and enthusiasts sharing resources and collaborating.Industrial Applications: Adoption by various industries for innovative solutions, contributing to sustainability and growth.Lessons from Other Educational Tech Initiatives
Analyzing Failures and Successes: Comparing Raspberry Pi with initiatives like MOOCs and One Laptop Per Child to highlight the importance of community and stakeholder engagement.Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Approaches: Understanding why grassroots involvement can lead to greater success and impact.Insights from Sheryl Cababa
Stakeholder-Centered Design: The necessity of involving diverse communities in the design process to create inclusive solutions.Tech Bias and Techno-Determinism: Critiquing the assumption that technology is inherently beneficial and discussing potential harms.The Curb Cut Effect: Designing for marginalized users to create benefits that extend to all.Sustainability and Business Model
Commercial Arm for Sustainability: How the Raspberry Piâs commercial success supports its educational mission.Ecosystem Building: Encouraging third-party development and industrial use cases to expand impact.Future Implications and Applications
Applying Raspberry Piâs Principles: Lessons on affordability, adaptability, and community engagement for future technological innovations.Designing for Social Impact: Emphasizing the role of designers, engineers, and systems thinkers in creating technologies that serve broader societal needs.Additional ResourcesRaspberry Pi Foundation- Learn more about their mission, educational resources, and how to get involved.
âClosing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designersâ by Sheryl Cababa- Explore insights on applying systems thinking in design to create sustainable and impactful solutions.
With Intent Season 1 Episode 1: Utopianism and Technology with Morgan Ames- In the debut episode of "With Intent," Kristin Gecan interviews Morgan Ames about the One Laptop Per Child project, exploring its ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to provide laptops to children in developing countries. The discussion examines the project's failure, its connection to utopianism, and potential lessons for the field of design.
Sheryl Cababa: Designing For A More Equitable World with Systems Thinking- The 2024 Lucas J. Daniel Lecture in Sustainable Systems at the Institute of Design.
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In this episode of the With Intent podcast byIIT's Institute of Design, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum welcome LifeStraw CEO Alison Hill. They discuss how LifeStraw was borne out of innovative technology and a unique business model that balances profit with purpose.
Key Points:The global water crisis: 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking waterLifeStraw's origins with Vestergaard and partnership with the Carter CenterEvolution from public health tool to consumer productInnovative hollow fiber membrane technologyUser-centered design principles for public health productsLifeStraw's dual focus on consumer business and social impactImpact: Nearly eradicating Guinea worm disease, reaching 10 million childrenAdditional Resources:LifeStrawâs 2023 Impact ReportVestergaard (LifeStraw's parent company)The Carter CenterWorld Health Organization water crisis statisticsInstitute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the tale of Massimo Vignelliâs 1972 New York City Subway Map. Vignelli's design was celebrated for its modernist brilliance yet heavily critiqued for its practical shortcomings. Here, Thamer and Albert delve into the tension between geometric abstraction and geographic accuracy, examining how Vignelliâs map became both a milestone and a lesson in design history.
Take a deep dive into the complexities of designing for large-scale systems. This episode explores the importance of finding a delicate balance between aesthetic innovation and practical functionality, emphasizing the importance of user-centered design and iterative processes. Take away valuable lessons for engineers, designers, and systems thinkers on the profound impact that design and client decisions can have on user experience and social progress.
RESOURCESHarry Beckâs London Underground Map
Understand the pioneering design that influenced transit maps worldwide.
Massimo Vignelliâs 1972 Subway Map
Explore the original design that sparked both acclaim and controversy.
Hertz and Associates 1978 Subway Map
Explore the 1978 successor to the Vignelli map and foundation of todayâs NYC Subway Map
The Subway Map that Rattled New Yorkers, The New York Times
The New York Timesâ take on the Vignelli map controversy.
Helvetica and The New York Subway System, by Paul Shaw
A detailed exploration of the history and evolution of signage in the New York City subway system. The book examines the complex interplay between design, politics, and public perception in shaping the visual identity of one of the world's most iconic public transportation systems.
The New York Subway Map Debate, Edited by Gary Hustwit
A book containing the full transcript of the New York Subway Map debate from the newly discovered tape, along with new interviews with surviving participants John Tauranac, Peter Laundy, Arline Bronzaft, and more.
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In this introductory trailer to With Intent Season 3, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum introduce themselves as this yearâs Latham Fellows at the Institute of Design at Illinois Tech. They share their excitement about co-hosting the podcast and reflect on their 15-year professional partnership, including their collaborative work on a broad range of design projects and their previous podcast, The Design Vault. Their longstanding relationship sets the stage for insightful discussions on design and its impact on society.
The hosts outline the themes and focus for the upcoming season, which will explore designs featured in IDâs list of 100 Great Designs of Modern Times, published with Fortune magazine in 2020. They will delve into topics centered around innovation, responsible design, social impact, and scalability. By using notable designs as a backdropâsuch as Ziplineâs drone-based logistics platform (2014, #69), Massimo Vignelliâs New York City Subway Map (1972, #28), the ClearRx prescription bottle redesign (#36, 2005), the OXO Good Grips Peeler (1990, #6), LifeStraw water filters (2005, #53), and the Raspberry Pi computer (2012, #54)âthey foster deeper conversations about design principles and the unexpected insights embedded within these creations.
RESOURCES
ID: 100 Great Designs of Modern Times
Published in 2020 by Fortune magazine, this list was created after the Institute of Design conducted an extensive survey of various professionals in the design field to identify designs widely regarded as exceptional. This season of With Intent discusses six designs from the list.
Fortune:
Article: The Greatest Designs of Modern Times
What does it take to become a design icon? Thereâs more to it than good looks. These 100 products have made our lives simpler, better, and yes, more stylish.
Video: The Greatest Designs of Modern Times
An introduction to the list and the designs included in it say about how design is evolving in business.
The Design Vault Podcast
Thamer and Albertâs podcast series about the stories and lessons behind iconic products from the past.
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In the final episode of our second season of With Intent, Jarrett Fuller asks ID Dean Anijo Mathew, Where Must Design Go Next?Anijo discusses ID’s pioneering history and where it’s headed next—summarizing ID’s four eras, defining what he calls Design Plus, and contextualizing the three forces acting on design today and where they will lead us.
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In the fifth episode of our second season of With Intent, Jarrett Fuller asks ID Associate Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability Weslynne Ashton and Associate Professor of Design for Technology and Society John Payne, How Can Design Make the Biggest Impact?
“In the business world and in the government space, people often look around the world for ideas to select and decide on—as opposed to create. The mindset of the designer is that we are going to get together and create something.
—John Payne
Weslynne and John discuss working in the private versus the public sector, systems design, service design, why design isn’t just problem solving, and where design is headed next.
“We're in a yet unnamed era of design, that is more civic-engaged, that is thinking more about how do we tackle these bigger problems than developing a product or developing a service for particular client. We're going to see more and more people going throughout their careers between public and private sector.
—Weslynne Ashton
Jarrett Fuller, host of Scratching the Surface, is the 2022–23 Latham fellow at the Institute of Design and hosts With Intent this season.
Tune into With Intent to discover where ID is taking design next.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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In the fourth episode of our second season of With Intent, Jarret Fuller asks ID Associate Professor of Healthcare Design and Design Methods Kim Erwin and Associate Professor of Civic and Community Design Maura Shea, Why Is Design Always Talking About Complexity?
Kim and Maura discuss making change in large communities and systems through asset-based community development, the value of modeling complex systems, and what a designer’s creative output looks like today.
Jarrett Fuller, host of Scratching the Surface, is the 2022–23 Latham fellow at the Institute of Design and hosts With Intent this season.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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In the third episode of our second season of With Intent, Jarrett Fuller asks ID Associate Professor of Behavioral Design Ruth Schmidt and Charles L. Owen Professor of Systems Design Carlos Teixeira, What If Human-Centered Design Isn’t Enough? Ruth and Carlos discuss the capabilities and limits of human-centered design, the concept of humanity-centered design, and how the evolving role design plays in our organizations and corporations will shape our collective future.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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The second episode of our second season of With Intent asks ID Associate Dean Matt Mayfield and Assistant Professor Zach Pino, How Do You Teach Design for Tomorrow? Matt and Zach discuss ID’s ever-evolving curriculum, the relationship of design to art, how students learn about technology at ID, the recent “seismic shift” in students’ goals, and challenges and opportunities of a field in flux.
Jarrett Fuller, host of Scratching the Surface, is the 2022–23 Latham fellow at the Institute of Design and the hosts With Intent this season.
Tune into With Intent to discover where ID is taking design next.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and then do us a favor and rate and share the episode.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Jarrett Fuller asks, How does someone become a designer? in the first episode of Season Two of With Intent. This episode features Tomoko Ichikawa, Associate Professor of Visual Communication, and Marty Thaler, Associate Professor of Product Design. Tomoko and Marty discuss ID's Foundation sequence—possibly the strongest tie that ID has today with its history as The New Bauhaus. (Foundation at ID makes it possible for nondesigners to enter our graduate school.)Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Mushon Zer-Aviv is an activist, artist, and designer. He's currently at work on devising new ways of understanding change and the future—ways that account for the limits of forecasting and consider the "darkness" of the future as a place for hope and possibility.
He also discusses systemic bias, the value of small talk, his appreciation for Rebecca Solnit, Naomi Klein, and Milton Friedman, and how his work brings provocation and action together.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Marina Gorbis is executive director of the Institute for the Future, a place where business executives, policymakers, nonprofits, and others use foresight and futuring techniques to make better long-term decisions. For example, you might work with the Institute for the Future to anticipate and be able to plan for a worldwide pandemic.
In fact, Marina worked on just such a project years before COVID hit. Now that the pandemic is real, interest in futuring has spiked. Marina talks about what futuring is and the trends she's seeing—in particular, how our relationship with work is changing. She also talks about how she defines value creation, that project that anticipated the pandemic, and her current project, the Equitable Enterprise Initiative.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Jon Veal is co-founder of alt_, an organization that focuses on the power of community. The alt_ market is the organization's flagship program. Their first market transformed an abandoned space into a communal free market, encouraging community members to give, take, and take care of one another.
Jon talks about how serving his community and making art come together for him, the importance of faith in his work, and the planning he and his co-founder, Jordan Campbell, have done to help secure their organization's longevity.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Kenneth Bailey, co-founder of the Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI), and co-author of Ideas, Arrangements, Effects, talks about his approach to building a better possible world. Talking about specific projects like Public Kitchen, as well as the thinking and pragmatism shared in his book, Kenneth presents an approach to building that new world.
As he sees it, one must go beyond the problems we see and experience every day to understand the systems, infrastructures, or "arrangements" that underpin them. Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Michela Magas has had a nonlinear career path driven by a focus on bringing people together to make deliberate decisions that enable long-term creativity and innovation. Those decisions may reside in the realm of intellectual property, as in the Industry Commons, or music technology, as in the case of MTF (Music Tech Fest).
Michela talks about how to foster innovation by bringing people from disparate fields together, why nonlinear career paths are the way forward, and the kind of skills people need for navigating our changing world.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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Episode 5 of With Intent is available now. Ruth Reichstein is part of the European Commission’s Presidential Advisory Board on the New European Bauhaus, or NEB, which was developed to help the EU achieve the goals set forth in its Europe Green Deal.
The NEB aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. We at IIT Institute of Design (The New Bauhaus) announced our partnership with the New European Bauhaus earlier this year.Institute of Design at Illinois Tech
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An organizer in Chicago for more than a decade, Richard Wallace, founder and executive director of EAT (Equity and Transformation), is focused on supporting Black informal workersâpeople like George Floyd, who are boxed out of the formal economy. Richard explains the historic rivalry between Hispanic and Black informal workers, his confidence in democracy, the reasons we have an informal economy in the first place, and why the informal economy is tied to issues of equity and race.
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