Beyond Research: How Design Shapes Products That Matter

Why do so many ground-breaking, research-based innovations never reach the market? This session reveals how thoughtful design bridges that crucial gap between discovery and real-world success.

Presented by seasoned industrial designers from TriMech Design Solutions, this talk draws on a compelling case study from rehabilitation research to take you behind the scenes of the product development journey. You’ll see how design thinking transforms promising ideas into market-ready solutions by uncovering user needs, generating concepts, building prototypes, and navigating manufacturing considerations—each step backed by practical insight.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with several prototypes and the decision-making process behind them. Through open discussion and audience participation, you’ll gain a rare inside look at how design choices shape the path from concept to final product.

Whether you’re a student, designer, researcher, engineer, or entrepreneur, this session offers a hands-on roadmap for turning research into real-world impact—highlighting the pivotal role of design in advancing health innovation and improving lives.

TriMech Design Solutions (formerly MAKO Design) is an award-winning product design firm helping inventors, startups, and growing brands bring new ideas to life. With over 20 years in the industry, they have cultivated a proven product development approach that is effective and efficient at transforming bold ideas into market-ready products with real-world impact.

Doors open at 2pm, tea, coffee and cookies will be available. The session allows time for networking towards the end of the afternoon.

****Please note, to get the most out of this session we recommend you attend in person. If you register and then cannot attend please inform the organiser the afternoon before the event.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher KITE Research Institute