Blake McEldowney

A collaboration with Asset Mapping to define and implement a new digital & brand strategy. Design of a 'Smart Buildings' data platform and website unified by distinctive signature elements. Including Strategic brand development, messaging and guidelines.

Working with EZLab to rethink how we detect dangerous environmental pathogens instantly on location. The EZLab system combines the power of precise & robust optical equipment, image recognition, mobile communications and Artificial Intelligence to detect dangerous microbes faster and easier than ever before.

If Bloomlife can gain widespread adoption by eliminating stressful guesswork in pregnancy, they could crowdsource crucial data and insights on prenatal health and the epidemic of preterm births. Working with this start up at the beginning of their ambitious journey, performing expert interviews and user sessions with pregnant mothers, gaining critical insight about what use cases, features and benefits would lead to greater adoption and enable real world data collection. Design of a wearable sensor module and accessory system increases the benefit through all stages of pregnancy and beyond.

Design of the original sensor module, the accessories, the mobile application and branding, creating a vision that secured more than USD 6 million in investment. Bloomlife is still going strong, igniting a maternal health revolution. Improving the health and wellbeing of women and their babies through personalized prenatal care.

Collaborating with a US startup to design Jem, a biometric authentification device to solve the password access problem. JEM is a sleek new device that remembers all your usernames and passwords – so you don’t have to.

JEM safely stores your data in the Vault APP, secured by your fingerprint. When you want to sign in to a website, activate JEM with the touch of your finger, and it automatically logs you in. It’s that easy.

Jem Pass will become your single, stand alone access device, once configured, it gives you secure and easy access to your home, office or event.

One touch, and you’re in.

Design and development of the Device, Accessories, online Platform, browser Extensions and mobile App. Also creation of the Brand, Logo and messaging.

A collaboration with Tyba to design a unique User Interface for an innovative Smart Home device. Turn is a new type of control mechanism for lighting, temperature, curtains and blinds. It combines the ergonomics of an analogue dial with a digital user interface. Creating an intuitive and universal design that is language and ability agnostic.

A collaboration with Lifesense to design a wearable system for women - Carin - to help solve Urinary Incontinence.

Design and development of the Device, the integration into the Underwear, the online training Platform and mobile App. Also creation of the Brand, Logo and messaging.

A collaboration with Smart City startup, Puckily, to design a new IOT gateway for buildings. The device also includes a broad array of sensors and a simple dot matrix display and multi colour LED light array provides constant feedback on the buildings air quality and and environmental conditions.

Working with Natural Machines to rethink and design their customer experience across all their digital touch-points. Definition, design, and co-development of a new digital customer experience across their website, global e-commerce platform and a new touch based user interface for their cutting edge 3D food printing kitchen appliances.

A collaboration with iBreve to design a wearable system for tracking and improving breathing patterns. One of the best mechanisms for managing stress is breathing in the correct manner. The design of a system - including a wearable device and mobile application - that empowers women to better understand their breathing and how to adapt accordingly. A male chest strap version follows.

HUB - Hydrogen Utility Base: is a Portable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electricity Generator. Utilising Fuel Cell and Metal Halide storage technology the HUB system shows how hydrogen fuel can be efficiently stored in interchangeable PODs. The PODs have a mix of fast energy release and high capacity storage and can be changed out in seconds. The portable HUB has a robust deign aesthetic suitable for use in building sites and remote locations. It can also be configured to power a home where sustainably captured hydrogen (via Local Solar, Wind and Hydro) can be piped directly into the HUB.

Design a Smart Home IOT system that redefines the air conditioning experience - The device configures with traditional AC units (via the remote control infrared connection) to make them 'Smart'. Linking to the home wifi, the system can then be controlled and optimised with the mobile application, locally and remotely.

Design, development and engineering of the device, and the design and development of the mobile application. Becoming Momits´ best selling device.

Now that’s 'Cool'.

Taking comfort where you go.

Design of a unique Smart Home Thermostat for Momit. The control display can be removed from the base and can be placed in the room of your choice improving temperature control accuracy and access.

UX, Design and Engineering of the device, the control screen and the companion mobile App.

Creating a new strategic brand and messaging guidelines for the IOT smart home company, Momit.

Working with MAS Innovation to design the Product, the Brand, the Message and the Website. All to test the viability of a new type of Smart Compression Garment technology and system.

This Active Compression System uses a combination of smart fabrics to facilitate fast muscle recovery for athletes and people with Lymphedema, PLMD or RLS.

Online traffic was driven to a number of websites with various product claim messages and tracked with analytics, building a foundation of insight that was integrated into the detailed product development and launch messaging.

Memories to go

Help people print their photos anywhere quickly and easily. This was the driving idea behind the design of the now legendary HP Photosmart printers. While at Smart Design I worked with HP over many years including the Photosmart range of ultra portable printers. We focused on creating friendly, appliance-like printers with an intuitive interface for easy setup and operation. The fruits of the collaboration were the first truly portable photo printers on the market and went on to become some of HP’s best-selling products. Expanding on the Original 375 model into a complete range for various market segments.

Building on the success of the Photosmart printer range, the ´A´ series was targeted at Professional and Serious Amateur Photographers and PhotoJournalists. As an alternative to expensive and time consuming polaroids the ´A´ series printers allowed both digital and paper rapid preview on the go or in the Studio.

Revolutionising the rehabilitation process.

ReHub is a physical & digital rehabilitation platform based on medical evidence that delivers effective, personalized home rehabilitation. This intuitive therapy tool maximizes operational and therapeutic effectiveness, promoting a continuous communication between the physician, physiotherapist and the patient. Physiotherapist is able to create a rehabilitation program tailored specifically to each patient`s condition, with the ability to monitor their progress and adapt their exercises remotely.

Design and development of the Physical sensor tools and the Digital Platform and App for Dycare.

Envisioning a new type of mobile urban robot that enhances people's everyday lives in the city. Cities are complex organisms that require flexible mobile ways of providing real time information to minimise disruption and improve navigation. A fleet of MIUs can be rapidly deployed to deliver context specific information for any specific purpose, event or activity.

Creation and evolution of the Zinc Labs brand and website.

Logo, Icon, Messaging, Website, Photos, Diagrams, Presentations, Colour, Text and Brand guidelines.

Utilising a the power of Smart phones and the latest in Wearable device technology.

the creation of a value added, low-cost system that can track the location of your children when out and about. Utilises RFID & Dual Band Bluetooth triangulation and not the expensive satellite GPS which need separate SIM cards and data plan.

The development of a low energy wearable with a battery that lasts up to 2 years.

Enabling you to keep better track of your valuables!

Collaborating with Vodafone to create a series of Smart Devices. Creating a strategic roadmap of innovative ideas that uniquely blend hardware, UI and services. Bringing the Network to life. 2008-2012.

Working with ESPN to leverage and broaden their brand into new product categories.

We created a design language for a Premium line of Table games for the Home and Office. A complete range of products, from Air Hockey, Table Hockey to Pool and Foosball Tables.

Collaborating with Vodafone to re-imagine a network with unlimited bandwidth. Creating a vision for the network of the future. 2010

Integrated surface cooking system with a mix of gas and ceramic burners. Built in Air vent system and Electronic analog knobs for precise burner control. Replaceable cutting boards designed to leave a clean bench top surface when not in use.

A unique modular cooking system that allows users to mix and match a variety of cooking methods and surface cooking configurations. Ceramic induction, hyper efficient fan assist Gas, Wok Gas, Cast iron Grill and electric simmer. Also featuring a central down draft air extraction column and the portable Gas burner, Comet.

Design and development of a modern range of cooking products, utilising black glass, stainless steel with Satin chrome, solid metal touch-points.

Design for a changing world, at Fisher & Paykel, we’re deeply curious about the ways people live their lives around our products

Galaxy Series. Commercial kitchen appliances with a modern twist. Taking the best of heavy duty cookers and refining them with an elegant touch, suitable for the traditional professional chef and the fresh home cook alike.

Combining the latest cooking technology with a traditional commercial aesthetic. The Titan range of cooking products was the lead product range as Fisher and Paykel entered the USA market. Aero Tech airflow systems keep the cooking temperature accurate with customisable heating profiles. Precision electronic control systems mixed with tactile analog dials are fused together to create the perfect cooking experience.

Working with Tefal to create a modern elegant family of cookware that utilises the latest Ergonomic features.

OXO Good Grips - Collaborating with OXO to create a modern robust line of stainless steel kitchen tools. They have a comfortable ergonomic grip and construction. Long lasting tools, ideal for the professional Chef and Home cook alike.

A collaboration with Elvie to research and validate a disruptive new concept in breast pumps. Following on from the success of Elvie Trainer, an award-winning Kegel exerciser that helps women strengthen their pelvic floors, Elvie's next product would also be aimed at mothers: Elvie Pump, the world's first silent wearable breast pump, which launched in October 2018.

The breast pump market had been dominated by poorly designed and cumbersome products that often make women feel like they are being milked “like a cow”. Furthermore, there is no sensitivity in the designs to women's busy working lifestyles.

Elvie came up with a new concept for a silent wearable pump that would sit in the bra and allow women to pump whilst they go about their everyday lives, providing unprecedented freedom and mobility to expressing mothers.

We were hired during the product concept development process to help them carry out research with their target market, validate the concept with users, and develop insights that could feed into the development of the product features.

We conducted a range of interviews with UK mothers who had recently been using breast pumps to get their vital input on the concept of the pump up to that point, covering everything from the form factor to the user experience.

One-on-One user interviews

User focus groups Expert interviews

Technology research

Prototype testing

Competitive landscape analysis

Synthesis workshops

Insight report

Hold on to your History

Access and store your Family memories, stories and lineage information. A new method to access and visualise photos, videos and 3D holograms.

The Vessel is an elegant ceramic form that contains your valuable stories from previous generations, stories are automatically compiled & woven together using AI.

The Crystals contain DNA and data and light up as a flame when activated. Securely holding on to the important information about you and your family.

The Base acts as a camera and UI for the system.

Hold on to what is important.

Researching a go to market strategy for a new AntiFlush Fabric developed by MAS. Their silky fabric is made from a mixture of complex yarns to create a lightweight material that is seamless, breathable and cool against your skin.

The Become brand and website was the outcome. a brand with one very important mission: to support female health and wellbeing through all stages of life.

Working with MAS innovations to research and develop an online customized clothing portal to reach a new generation of Creatives, tentatively named Tribe Custom. Once we established a direction forward, two versions of the website look and feel were explored.

When XM launched its satellite service in 2001, subscribers could only access their service using radios from partner manufacturers. These radios simply had an “XM” button added on, making it difficult to get to XM’s extensive programming. So they asked us to design a distinctive radio that provided instant access to their 100+ channels. After extensive research and prototyping we created a modular radio that you can use anywhere: in your car (connected to your car stereo), at home (connected to your home stereo), or connected to an XM Boom Box. The SKYFi has a large, bright screen that displays the programming category, channel name, artist and song title – all at the same time. A big, familiar spin dial makes it easy to scan through XM’s channels, and when you scroll the screen lists five channels at once. SKYFi’s unique but familiar design instantly became the brand symbol for XM. Within two weeks it was their biggest seller – adding a new subscriber with every purchase.

Research, Design and Development of an innovative Maraca salad dressing Shaker.

Fill with the ingredients through the large mouth and dress your dishes using the small nozzle. Shake the product and emulsify vinaigrettes effortlessly thanks to the internal mixing ball.

Fun and original for exploring in the kitchen and for serving on the table.

Research, Design and Development of an innovative Vege Nut Milk Maker. The kit simplifies the process and empowers people to explore the benefits of this sustainable and healthy option.

Prepare your own natural vegetable drinks with all the original flavour and nutrients in the easiest, fastest way possible. Excellent results and no mess! Two 1-litre containers which are stackable for easy storage. The internal container, with measurements marked and an ergonomic filter, allows you to soak, shred (with a standard domestic hand blender) and filter nuts, seeds or cereals to prepare drinks. The vegetable drink can be stored in the external container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days. Wide variety of recipes: make vegetable drinks with nuts, seeds or cereals

Research, Design and Development of a range of Ergonomic Kitchen Utensils. The materials efficient handle is comfortable and provides excellent grip and control during many cooking actions. Each utensil has unique features that improve the action or utilisation across tasks. For example, the Scoop Spoon that can be used to add layers to your Lasagne and then be used as a spatula to scrape the last of the sauce and then smooth it out.

Research, design and development of Corn on the Cobb microwave cooker.

The creation of a complete Business, Brand, UX, Product and Service offering for start up Fountn. with a mission to vastly reduce single use plastics and to provide better hydration and nourishment at large scale events.