Robert Irwin

Human-Centered Design & Manufacturing: A U.S. Blueprint for the Future? In a world where efficiency often comes at the expense of workers, the U.S. must lead the way toward a different model. Human-centered design and manufacturing offer a compelling vision that demonstrates how efficiency and growth can coexist with workers' rights and dignity. Reports about TSMC’s Arizona facility previously suggested its semiconductor yield rates exceeded those of its Taiwanese counterpart. However, this claim has since been called into question as sources have been removed or clarified. While the accuracy remains uncertain, it raises a critical discussion: Could human-centered manufacturing serve as a path forward not just for the U.S. but globally? This isn’t merely about surface-level innovation. It’s about proving that inclusion, collaboration, and sustainability can be the foundation for industrial growth. This model could inspire allies like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan to reconsider their approaches to manufacturing. Looking forward, human-centered manufacturing could also address broader challenges, like housing supply. With AI-driven modular design and robotics-based prefab construction, we can improve efficiency and reimagine how housing markets function. By integrating renewable energy systems, advanced HVAC, and high-performance building envelopes, this approach could enhance energy efficiency and help achieve Net Zero goals. 💡 The future of manufacturing must prioritize humanity. Let’s demonstrate that this is the way forward for the next generation. #HumanCenteredDesign #ManufacturingInnovation #PrefabHousing #DesignThinking #NetZero #Sustainability

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Happy Design Friday! We are incredibly honored to win the Green GOOD DESIGN Awards, recognizing global innovators who promote a healthier, more sustainable future through exceptional products, services, and ideas. https://lnkd.in/ey6vZNPq About the project: Introducing A3 Global: A pioneer in developing equipment that revitalizes and replaces batteries in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). A3 Global is committed to empowering both small businesses and large vehicle fleets, enhancing the lifecycle of energy storage devices through a blend of advanced electronics and chemistry. This approach positions A3 Global as a leader in delivering electrochemical solutions within the renewable energy sector, making sophisticated science accessible for daily use. The Challenge: A3 Global strives to simplify the intricate process of refurbishing EV batteries, which requires testing numerous cells and utilizing complex equipment and specialized expertise. In collaboration with Loft, A3 Global has developed a groundbreaking instrument tailored for various battery chemistries, providing an essential toolkit that supports the EV infrastructure and champions the principles of the circular economy. The Solution: A3 Global offers a suite of HEV/EV Battery solutions that combine state-of-the-art electronics with innovative technology, streamlined into an easy-to-use workflow for car shop managers and operators. Together with Loft, A3 Global has engineered a new instrument and operating model designed specifically for processing and diagnosing Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Thanks to the combined efforts of our engineering and design teams at Loft, who leveraged extensive customer research, advanced thermal modeling, and industry-leading practices, we have developed the next generation of A3 equipment. This new platform is not only user-friendly and quick to deploy but also facilitates the repurposing of EV batteries for a second life, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable mobility and the circular economy.

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🎉 Celebrating 12 Years of Computational Design journal we put together with renowned names of the field! Twelve years ago, I was tasked with editing Dosya 29: Computational Design. This special issue brought together some of the brightest minds in the field to explore how computation shapes and transforms design theory and practice. >> 👉 >> The articles and references in this journal remain gems for anyone looking to dive deeper into computational design. This journal wasn’t just about showcasing computational tools—it was a deep dive into the theory and epistemology underpinning design itself. It posed questions that remain profoundly relevant today, especially in light of the growing influence of AI: ✨ Key Questions We Asked - How do design and computation create meaningful synergy? - What opportunities arise when we critically reflect on computational limitations? - How might computational frameworks expand design thinking? 🌟 A Stellar Lineup of Contributors I’m honored to have collaborated with these remarkable individuals: George Stiny: On the act of seeing in design and why computation struggles with its fluidity. Sebnem Yalinay: On the etymological roots of computation and its translation into design processes. Daniel Rosenberg (with Humberto Maturana): On human experience as the source of novelty in design. Theodora Vardouli On the metaphors shaping our early understanding of computation in design. Asli Arpak On the Design Methods Movement and debates about computation in design rationalization. Stylianos Dritsas On computation’s impact and the shift from product-focused to process-oriented design. Axel Kilian On redefining computational exploration beyond conventional tools. Alexandros Tsamis On VSpace and perceiving space as gradients rather than boundaries. Emre Erkal On thereminspace and linking force fields to design creativity. Carl Lostritto On rethinking drawing in the digital age. Kaustuv DeBiswas On Sunglass, a platform fostering collaborative design frameworks. 🔍 Looking Back and Moving Forward As we revisit this work 12 years later, its critical reflections on design and computation feel more relevant than ever in the age of generative AI and rapid innovation. To celebrate its 12th anniversary, I’m making the journal available once more here. I hope that it inspires meaningful conversations about design, computation, and their evolving intersection. Download the full journal below. ⬇️ Let’s Reflect Together... How do you see the relationship between design and computation evolving? I’d love to hear your thoughts as we revisit this milestone. #computationaldesign #architecture #design #ai #ml #machineintelligence #insight #publication #designthinking #development #digitaldesign

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Product simplification will help with reshoring - fewer parts to source, fewer parts to manufacture, fewer parts to assemble, fewer people needed to build the product, and reduced factory floor space to build the product. But the real benefit is the radical improvement in profit per square foot of the factory -- https://lnkd.in/etE4tAKQ #product #simplification #DFA #DFMA #profit #reshore #manufacturing

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In this Episode of, Designing In The Wild, I do a little deep dive into #LCA for  #productdesign. Discuss the pros and cons of weighted metrics focused on only CO2, and offer insights and strategies for the #industrialdesigner to implement when thinking through #lifecyclethinking and product design. Please enjoy and share if you feel it relevant to your audience. #industrialdesign #designthinking #designstrategy #designleadership #environmentaldesign #ecodesign #greenproductdesign

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In the latest episode of Side of Design, we dive into the unique considerations and challenges of designing neuroscience facilities.

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We are making good things! 02 Back to foundation studio … have a presentation on wood sculptures m making .. an amazing big screen to show things … how much technology has evolved! Just three decades ago … was in same place as a post graduate student… we had slide & ohp’s in those days Good Memories revisited 😇 #graubärdesign #industrialdesign #productdesign #sustainabilty #handwork #toolsimplementsndevices

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Hey hardware founders this will make your life much easier. I'm talking about having clarity and confidence for your product or vision. If your feeling uncertain about your product's direction, or struggling to articulate your vision, you're not alone—and there's a solution! A strategic Industrial design partner can help you achieve this by offering new angles, insights and strategies which can set you up for market success. Together, you can fine-tune your product, ensuring it not only meets but exceeds market expectations. If you would like to have more clarity and confidence in your idea or project, let's connect! Rise Design & Innovation | Los Angeles, California #StartupLife #ProductDevelopment #VisionToReality

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IS AI / NOT AI: Dispelling myths and deciphering hype vs. practical applications of AI in the design industry Promising to stir the pot in this one! I’ll join a group of leading architects, innovators, and AI experts as we dispel common myths and dive into the practical ways AI is transforming our industry today. We’ll explore how current tools are already shaping the future of design. Whether you’re an architect, tech enthusiast, or just curious about what’s next in the design world, this event will offer valuable insights and fresh perspectives. During the discussion, I’ll specifically concentrate on the role of designers in this new landscape—what AI means for our creative agency—and how AI technology is redefining the roles of specialists, generalists, and experts across the field. EVENT DETAILS: Next Week! Presented by AIA Central VA TAP Committee, Cville Revit User Group, and UVA AIAS 💫 Tuesday, September 24th 5:00-6:30pm EST UVA Architecture School - Campbell Hall Room 153 This will be a hybrid event offering both in-person and virtual attendance options. 📍RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eSEfJcgv - Onur Yüce Gün, PhD, New Balance - andrew john wit, Temple University - Altaf Ganihar, Snaptrude - Steven Campbell, Lake|Flato Architects Thanks to William Abrahamson, AIA, and CPHC for pulling us into this event! #generativeAI #computationaldesign #ai #designthinking #designtechnology #architecture #generativedesign

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Before designing for a company that produces any product, we need to study the history of that company well, then try to better understand the intentions, the commercial policy and the production capacity of that company, if we want the products we design for them to be have good success. #design #management #creativity #ergonomy #commercial #filosophy

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Highpoint Market MUST: Desiners and architects, you are missing a significant market share if you aren’t learning about the growing neurodivergent population- from ADHD & Autism to PTSD & Alzheimer’s. Follow the experts below for more information!

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Your product line's recognizable identity (VBL) is as important as the logo of your company. It represents and reinforced the promise of your brand. The promise that the user's experience with your product was intentionally created. That experience is reference when evaluating future products. That reference informs their decision to take a chance and purchase the new product experience they're hoping to have with your new product. What you create now will affect your future products. So here are some important questions: Have you intentionally created the experiences your users have with your product? Is it consistent? Can you users recognize it without your logo? __________________________________ I design product experiences and create products that align with your brand and it's promise to your users. My goal is to design a variety of successful products and experiences for you to choose from. Message me if you're looking for award-winning industrial design support. This is an example of a recognizable design language I applied to a line of bike locks.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the design world, but its true potential emerges only when users know how to program and manage prompts precisely and in detail. It’s not just about relying on AI to generate images or projects, but about using it as a collaborative tool that responds to well-defined inputs. Designers must be able to clearly describe their ideas through drawings and with accurate written and verbal language. This process requires skills in formulating prompts that can translate creative concepts into understandable instructions for the AI. A well-described project goes beyond images; it requires articulating the design's needs, inspirations, and goals in detail. AI responds more effectively when the project is clearly explained, including technical specifics, the emotions one wishes to convey, and the usage contexts. This approach not only improves the quality of the outcome but also allows designers to maintain creative control, ensuring that the solutions proposed by AI align with the original vision. In summary, AI is a powerful ally for designers, but its success depends on the user’s ability to communicate project details with precision, both through drawing and in words. #AIinDesign #DesignInnovation #AICreativity #SmartDesign #CreativeAI #DesignTools #AIArt #FutureOfDesign #AIandDesign #DesignWithAI #AIConcepts #CreativeCollaboration #DesignThinking #PromptEngineering #AIVisualization #AIForDesign

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The BioAI Mycelium from my Bio-Logic Series (2022-2023) redefines material design by merging natural intelligence, artificial intelligence, and computational design, exploring how AI can optimize the growth of environmentally friendly materials like mycelium into functional insulators, creating biomaterials optimized for sustainability and environmental impact. This work reflects my commitment to combining AI and natural systems to contribute to a more sustainable future. With a focus on how AI can assist in designing and growing biomaterials, I’ve been exploring the intersection of mycelium x AI biodesign to discover how AI can support the identification and development of diverse bio-engineered and bio-inspired structures. This includes refining the properties of biomaterials for greater functionality and sustainable applications, demonstrating how technology and nature can intersect to provide innovative and sustainable solutions. The foundation for this work was laid almost 20 years ago, in 2006, when I worked as a designer for Ford Motor Company . There, I engaged in the development of sustainable, eco-friendly, and naturally grown substrates for automotive production, including the use of mycelium in unseen vehicle components. check out this and related projects at https://lnkd.in/gTvwwchB #AI #bioAI #mycelium #biodesign #biology

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A Cornell University originated Project by Monroe Weber-Shirk and students, AguaClara Cornell Project Team and AguaClara Reach have a game engine based on the #CAD #onshape platform to automate, after inputted parameters, the design of gravity-powered drinking water treatment plants. They are making life better for a lot of people and are a wonderful project! I tried to find out who made the design engine on the onshape platform but apparently it was many people who contributed. Are such things like the design engine used to design #MRFs? Can they be used to design city wide green and grey water absorbing rain infrastructure (how much and where it goes) like for Rebuild by Design ? Can they automate the design further for print on demand ADUs like for Azure Printed Homes if they don’t already? (Its a company run by a Cornellian!) Can they automate the component design of the much need machine retrofits swapping gas for electric engines like for Turntide Technologies ? They seem to be on the edge of this… What a useful skill to have to (possible, potentially) solve so many problems! What else could it potentially be used for? https://lnkd.in/ev4FCGck

Join me and my guest, George Aye, for Episode 136 of the #DesignThinking 101 #Podcast, the first DT101 Live! episode: Design Ethics. You can listen, AND watch the live recording. See link in comments. #design #ethics #EthicalDesign

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