December 2021 - November 2022

In-house cultivation prototype developments

GOAL

Scale up number of working prototypes to improve reliability of results and speed up iterative product development, focussing on key milestone of algal biomass production rate while considering broader user experience factors.

KEY DELIVERABLES

Designing and building of updated cultivation prototypes in relation to new design specification.

Developing the technical engineering capabilities of the photobioreactor. Specifically the culture density detection system and smart light adaptability system, focussing on improving the efficiency and reliability of the algae cultivation.

Using prototypes to devise a thorough testing plan to outline the microbiological, electrical and mechanical risks with the design.

ROLE

Collaboration with the technical engineer lead to develop elegant solutions to engineering issues when improving the cultivation units prior to testing. Assisting on the design and making of custom components needed to modify prototypes when necessary.

Assistance in the experiment design and implementation; setting up PBR’s, recording data, ensuring controlled testing environment, experiment result analysis and report writing for communicating with other team members and company partners.

Communications with microbiology and algae experts to learn more about health and safety considerations when cultivating algae for human consumption. This also involved completing a qualification in Level 3 Health & Safety for Food Manufacturing Equipment, where I was able to integrate my learnings into the design process.

October 2022

User research

GOAL

Learn more about our potential users and wider market focussing on their daily food, drink and health routine. Useful for assessing and developing product value and marketing strategy.

DELIVERABLES

Completing user interviews with crowdfunder backers and newly recruited participants. Refining our product value proposition which can be summarised as; people wanting a fresh, immune boosting solution which helps them build a consistent daily routine.

Carring out evaluative research to test the idea of algenate wrapped health shots as a product add-on. This involved handing out samples on busy high streets for recruiting interview participants and gaining quick feedback on the product concept.

Focus group testing for more in-depth insights on the experience of the shots, such as mouth feel and taste. Insights gained from the research provided sufficient validation for the idea to be integrated into the final product.

ROLE

Managing the research project with one other design colleague, organising street recruitment and testing process, organising focus groups, , designing interview questions/surveys, carrying out user interviews, analysing data to feed back into the design process.

January 2022 - November 2022

Hardware design for manufacture

GOAL

Develop design ready for pilot batch production and testign while considering requirements necessary for scaled up manufacturing, in collaboration with Morrama design studio.

DELIVERABLES

Taking all harvesting and cultivation hardware components and refining ready for manufacture. This included sourcing all pre-fabricated or off the shelf components.

Building a final prototype representing the complete aesthetic and functional features of the design ready for investment pitching scenarios and marketing content.

ROLE

Overseeing all product developments and ensuring clear communication between the Morrama and Canopi team. Using quick sketches and mock up prototypes to communicate to Morrama any engineering developments and aesthetic/usability design suggestions from the Canopi team.

Assisting technical lead in overcoming engineering challenges such as sourcing and testing different electrical components.

Continued communication with suppliers and manufacturers throughout the design process to ensure any developments are considering manufacturability and B.O.M. metrics.

Making the high fidelity prototype using digital fabrication tools such as 3d printing and laser cutting. Ensuring the prototype is fully functional and safe to use through thorough testing. Electronic component testing, soldering and circuitry debugging. Finishing the prototype to a very high level ready for investment pitching scenarios.

November 2022 - April 2023

Pilot batch testing

GOAL

Create a batch of 30 units for user testing.

DELIVERABLES

Adjusting design to accomodate small batch manufacturing using local digital fabrication methods; 3d printing and laser cutting.

Thorough in-house usability testing focussing on cultivation reliability, productivity and safety. Ensuring the units sufficiently meet the minimum functionality ready for user testing.

Batch production and QC of 30 Bloom units.

User testing recruitment and qualification (unaccomplished due to lack of funding)

ROLE

Overseeing the design development ready for small batch production; ensuring it is suitable for testing aspects of the design specification necessary.

Use of CAD software and digital fabrication equipment to manufacture components necessary for small batch production and liasing with local manufacturers to assist production.

Hands on finishing and making of units to an adequate level ready for fulfilment to users.