This is a brand-extension project for Omron, a Japanese healthcare equipment company focusing on aesthetic and company values

This project imagines Omron’s next steps in predictive and empowering individual healthcare following recent technical developments in the cardiac health space. Designed as a collection with 2 products, both aiming to utilize the technology ergonomically and minimalistically

Responsibilities:

Product Designer

UX & UI Designer

Interaction Designer

Brand Strategist

Tools:

Figma

Autodesk Fusion

Keyshot

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Miro

Results:

Delivered as a pitch to industry professionals to a positive response.

Peer reviewed to be medically viable

OMRON?

Omron Healthcare, a division of Kyoto-based Omron Corporation, specializes in clinically proven medical and home healthcare devices. Its product portfolio includes leading blood pressure monitors, digital thermometers, nebulizers, body composition scales, and pain-management tools. With over 350 million blood pressure monitors sold and recognition as the #1 doctor- and pharmacist-recommended brand, Omron is focused on preventive, connected healthcare aiming for a future with zero heart attacks, strokes, respiratory issues, and chronic pain

Omron’s primary color is primarily black, white and a variation of grey with a blue accent to complement key features and buttons to execute certain functions. Black is primarily used to surround the screen bezel area, indicating an area that should be left clear. Furthermore, the contrast between black and white is used to differentiate between premium devices from the entry level options on offer.

MATERIAL

COLOR

FINISH

Omron primarily uses plastic in order to create its curved, friendly forms. Since it is the most versatile material in both production and usage perspectives, plastic - especially ABS - can be used to create durable housings for sensitive electronics and can be easily molded through injection molding to create many copies at a large scale cheaply .

Omron’s products use both a matte and glossy finish to create design differentiation and a feel for commercial products that are designed to be interacted with, rather than avoided

THE ECG

Noun, also known as EKG, stands for Electrocardiogram

The monitoring of the heart’s electrical activity, detecting irregularities to diagnose conditions early and save lives.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Omron’s vision for the future involves empowering personalized healthcare through preventative measures against ‘sudden’ afflictions, thus the logical next step in their product line would be something that can predict said conditions

Using skin contact through electrical impedance (sending low voltage shocks through your body) a heartbeat can communicate subtle warnings of stroke or a heart attack through irregularities in the beat itself

The ECG machine seeks to pick up on these signals in order to visualize and analyze for any irregularities in a given timeframe in order to forewarn strokes or heart attacks

The perfect next step to predictive home care…

DESIGN OBJECTIVE

To design a portable, discrete and accurate personal ECG solution in the minimalistic style of Omron that represents its core values of empowering personal health

Pairing the market research with the Library of Medicine studies, FDA certifications and independent medical product reviews, two market gaps can be identified, one for a more effective solution while another is for an Lead I device that is more accurate at a lower cost.

Market research shows that the market for portable ECGs can be quite sparse with many not being above the Lead I category.

While many discreet options exist, all fail to balance efficacy with price at hand.

IDEATION

With the parameters set, I was able to ideate solutions. Learning of the ECG touchpoints for efficacy and the lead structure, I was able to set the ergonomic constraints for the ECG in order to achieve the desired lead count and location.

HANDHELD

The game console design-inspired element comes from the nature of the button placement, especially the shoulder buttons.

The ergonomic constraint of being comfortable for long hours of play has led game controllers and portable devices to perfect the hand grip shape while maximizing finger usage, therefore usually not allowing the hands to touch-

A vital constraint for the ECG as well.

Handheld ECGs are especially viable due to the vein structure present in our hands. The hands also complete the necessary circuit to apply impedance technology in order to achieve an accurate reading of blood flow within the veins.

determining just how much “curve” is “Omron”

Form factor testing for comfort and ease of use with two thumbs

Potential product family testing with options in Omron’s traditional lineup

OMRON HEM-ECG6L (139$ MSRP)

Higher Tier

  • Backlit, full size display with a consistent 15 beats (4.5”)

  • 6 Algorithmic Lead structure via left hand, right hand and thigh

  • Designed for lap usage

  • Activate by sliding display to reveal thumb contacts

OMRON HEM-ECG2L (89$ MSRP)

Mid Tier

  • Single black and white paperlike display (3'“)

  • 2 Physical lead structure via Left hand and Right hand

    • Activated using electrical “shoulder” contacts

  • Single, self contained unit