SproutsIO - System Redesign
Design Associate
May 2014 - January 2016
Overview
About
SproutsIO’s intelligent hybrid-hydroculture, IoT microgarden makes growing produce accessible, simple, and fun.
Team
Worked closely with Jennifer Broutin Farah, Kamal Farah, Christina Ciardullo, Grey Parker.
Need
Update the works-like-prototype for manufacturing, so that it aligns the product’s ease of use, user experience, and manufacturability with the vision for the SproutsIO experience.
SproutsIO’s first functioning prototype designed by founders Jennifer Broutin Farah & Kamal Farah.
The updated system, optimized for design-for-manufacturing, cleaning and maintenance, and ease of use.
Project
Process
Insights for feature updates gained through facilitation, recording, and analysis of 3 beta programs (n = 21), surveys (n = 755), and 12+ months of growing in system. Design for manufacturing based on the direction of the SproutsIO design team (sketches, CAD, specs) and recommendations of our mechanical engineering consultants.
Solution
A rethinking of the system’s plug and play components, interaction with the accompanying mobile app, indicators for handling and use, and the assembly and cleaning process optimizes both the user experience and plant growth.
The redesigned SproutsIO system growing basil and micro greens.
Responsibilities
Included sketching and producing renderings of updated components, prototyping, and communicating final design intent to mechanical, software, and firmware engineers for manufacture. Twelve (12) new system features were implemented in the final design and subsequent 25 unit prototype run.
SproutsIO’s new and updated system components.
3D printed, hand made, and laser-cut prototypes helped the design team pull together the final aesthetics and functionality.
Mulling over iterations of component sketches. The SproutsIO design team worked with mechanical engineers to make the design user friendly, UL friendly, and plant friendly.
Newly fabricated components await assembly in Detroit, MI.
Additional Projects
SproutsIO - Overview
May 2014 - January 2016
SproutsIO - Mobile App
May 2014 - January 2016