Hardware Podcasts

119: Planning for the Unexpected in Product Design

Product Startup · 23 Mar 2022 · 27m

What this episode covers

Kelly Schmutte, a Standford d.school lecturer and founder of PerfectFit, discusses navigating ambiguity in hardware design, drawing on her experience creating professional ballet shoes. She explains how prototyping evolved from learning to validation, detailing a costly pivot from EVA foam to silicone rubber after realizing the initial material failed to meet user needs. Schmutte emphasizes that early, parallel prototyping and accepting failure are essential for finding the right solution in product development.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Standford University, IDEO, Mako Design + Invent
Products
PerfectFit
Also
d.school, Navigating Ambiguity

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