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.

The Genesis of Clear RX

• Deborah's pivot from a thesis on curly hair products to prescription bottle design following her grandmother's medication mix-up
• The concept of "Gemba" (Japanese for "the real place") and its importance in identifying real-world problems
• Initial prototype development using dollhouse materials and tubing

Design Evolution & Features

• D-shaped bottle design evolution to accommodate child safety caps
• Collaboration with industrial designer Klaus Rosberg
• Key design elements:
  • Upside-down orientation for better grip and accessibility
  • Enhanced label space for improved readability
  • Color-coding system for family member identification
  • Information design and layout highlighting crucial label information
  • High-contrast text for better visibility

Strategic Implementation

• Navigation of regulatory challenges through FDA consultation
• Partnership with Target as a strategic choice for market entry
• Rapid development and implementation within one year
• Balance between innovation and practical constraints

Beyond Clear RX

• Development of Adler RX system for managing multiple medication regimens
• Continued innovation in healthcare design through collaborations with CVS and Johnson & Johnson
• Impact on both pharmacy and design communities

Design Principles & Lessons

• Importance of working within constraints rather than fighting them
• Value of direct observation in identifying design opportunities
• Role of strategic partnerships in bringing innovations to market
• Balance between creativity and practical implementation
• Significance of understanding regulatory landscapes in healthcare design

Clear Rx Medication Systsem Visual Overview

Adler Design

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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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 Farber’s 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 design—its intuitive handle, ergonomic form, and careful balance of signaling and functionality. This episode highlights the peeler’s journey from concept to market, showing how Stowell’s 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.

• OXO Good Grips Design Origins and beginnings of Inclusive Design- Discover how Sam Farber’s insight into his wife’s struggle with kitchen tools inspired a radical redesign focused on accessibility. Learn how this user-first approach laid the foundation for OXO’s 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 OXO’s commitment to user centered design and inclusive design has impacted the industry.
• Form and Function in Balance- The episode explores how the OXO peeler’s tactile handle and intuitive blade orientation create an inviting, easy-to-use tool. Albert and Thamer highlight the peeler’s distinctive “fins” 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 OXO’s 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.

Smart 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

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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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 Zipline’s 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 Rwanda’s, played in scaling their operations.
 

• Healthcare 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.
• Zipline’s 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 “Droid.”
• Rwanda Success Story: Zipline launched its operations in Rwanda in 2016, initially serving 21 hospitals. By 2019, they were delivering 75% of the country’s 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.

• IEEE Spectrum: Detailed article discussing how Zipline designed its Droid delivery system
• Zipline’s Website: Learn more about their technology and global operations at FlyZipline.com
• Gates Foundation: Discover the foundation’s work on global healthcare and their partnership with Zipline at gatesfoundation.org
• Leap 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.org
• 100 Greatest Designs List: Check out ID’s list of the 100 Greatest Designs of All Time

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum delve into the creation of Raspberry Pi—a $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.

The 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 Pi’s 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 Pi’s 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.

Raspberry Pi Foundation- Learn more about their mission, educational resources, and how to get involved.

“Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers” 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.

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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Subscribe to With Intent for more explorations into how design shapes our world, whether we call it design or not.

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.

• The global water crisis: 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water
• LifeStraw's origins with Vestergaard and partnership with the Carter Center
• Evolution from public health tool to consumer product
• Innovative hollow fiber membrane technology
• User-centered design principles for public health products
• LifeStraw's dual focus on consumer business and social impact
• Impact: Nearly eradicating Guinea worm disease, reaching 10 million children

• LifeStraw’s 2023 Impact Report
• Vestergaard (LifeStraw's parent company)
• The Carter Center
• World Health Organization water crisis statistics

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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Subscribe to With Intent for more explorations into how design shapes our world, whether we call it design or not.

Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the tale of Massimo Vignelli’s 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 Vignelli’s 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.

Harry Beck’s London Underground Map

Understand the pioneering design that influenced transit maps worldwide.

Massimo Vignelli’s 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 today’s NYC Subway Map

The Subway Map that Rattled New Yorkers, The New York Times

The New York Times’ 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.

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

Discover programs and resources on design and systems thinking.

Subscribe to With Intent for more explorations into how design shapes our world, whether we call it design or not.

In this introductory trailer to With Intent Season 3, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum introduce themselves as this year’s 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 ID’s 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 backdrop—such as Zipline’s drone-based logistics platform (2014, #69), Massimo Vignelli’s 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)—they 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? There‘s 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 Albert’s podcast series about the stories and lessons behind iconic products from the past.

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

Discover programs and resources on design and systems thinking.

Subscribe to With Intent for more explorations into how design shapes our world, whether we call it design or not.