human centered innovation
Customer insights drive impactful design
Understanding how customers use a product is vital to delivering meaningful innovation. At the core of an effective design process is an obsession with the challenges that users have when performing their job. This yields clearly defined customer needs, helping drive well informed product development.
research and innovation
Design Research
Since 2002 I have helped companies elevate their understanding of customers with design research. By leveraging empathy, astute user observation and voice of customer methodologies, I am able to thoroughly identify user needs that are synthesized into meaningful solutions.
Strategic Innovation
Innovation spans far beyond new product development into unique ways a business is configured and a brand is experienced. Once I have established a solid understanding of customers, I employ the Ten Types of Innovation framework to lead cross disciplinary teams to achieve successful breakthroughs.
Iterative Design
Iterative design is a continuous process to improve a product based on the most current understanding of user needs. Valuable feedback will proliferate throughout the user's interaction with the product. Therefore, real world users are a product designer's best resource for creating meaningful and relevant products.
design research
Understanding customer pain points leads to the discovery of creative solutions.
Noteworthy Research Projects
Writing Tools for Children with Autism - USA
Therapeutic writing products market research
Voice of customer research with teachers and parents
User observations
Kone Elevators - China
User observations across major Chinese cities
Facilitated Insights workshop with Kone senior leadership
Huawei Telecom - China
Interviews with Huawei stakeholders
Characterized Huawei culture to drive new design language
Rapid Stapling Pliers - Sweden, Italy
User observations of geographical and cultural differences across Europe
Esselte Electric Stapler - German, France
Focus group observing electric stapling across user types
Karcher Electrochemically Activated Disinfection - USA
ECA market research
Voice of customer research
User observations
Karcher Floor Care - USA
Multi-city voice of customer research
Multi-city user observations
Concept focus group
Karcher Commercial Pressure Washers - USA
Multi-city voice of customer research
Multi-city user observations
strategic innovation
Design thinking applied across business configuration, product development, and brand experience creates breakthrough innovation. (photo credit: Doblin)
Noteworthy Innovation Projects
Writing Tools for Children with Autism - USA
Development of sensory incentive model in acquiring writing skills
Kone-Giant Elevators - China
Design strategy to appeal to property developers across Office, Retail, and Home segments in China
Rapid Inside Solutions - Sweden
Elevated stapling function in copy machine UI to encourage usage, improve customer engagement and drive sales
Sabco Wringing Buckets - Australia
Solution to increase shipping efficiency fourfold by developing an easy customer-assembled wringing bucket
Leitz Complete Mobile Device Accessories - Germany
New product line targeting modern professionals' workflow in order to retain leadership role of 100 year old brand in the office products industry
Karcher Floor Scrubbers Haptic Feedback for Wall Proximity - USA
Development of system to reduce property damage caused by human error
Karcher Hard Floor Vacuum - USA
Development of features specifically for completing housekeeping tasks to reduce turnaround time of hotel rooms between guests
iterative design
Design is a continuous cycle where user insights serve as the springboard to broad exploration of potential solutions. Elements which can help a customer get the job done are honed to a level that can garner further insights.
Noteworthy Design Projects
Medtronic Breast Biopsy Device - USA
Development of low cost and minimally invasive biopsy device
Ball Aerospace GPS- USA
Design of military grade anti-jamming GPS combat device
Huawei Telecom Product Identity- China
Development of design language for end consumer IT devices
Kone-Giant Elevators - China
Design strategy to appeal to property developers across Office, Retail, and Home segments in China
Rapid Tools Design Strategy - Sweden
"Axis of Quality" strategy to control strict quality of flagship professional tools while allowing for increasing design freedom as portfolio expands towards DIY and hobbyist tools
Rapid Office Stapler Design Strategy - Sweden
"Classic at the Core" strategy to retain 75 year old best selling stapler as the well-spring of an expanding portfolio of technology and creative expression
Leitz Complete Mobile Device Accessories - Germany
New product line targeting modern professionals' workflow in order to retain leadership role of 100 year old brand in the office products industry
about me
Jason McGrath
Versatile design thinker who enjoys leading teams
through creative empowerment. Interested in culturally driven
innovation, with extensive experience working internationally.
Well versed in user research methodologies and synthesizing
insights into meaningful products. Strong skill set in every
design phase from concept development to product launch.
Positive track record of organizational change through
advocating for human centered innovation.
