In the world of medical device development, success is no longer measured solely by technological sophistication, it’s defined by how well a product serves the people who use it. From clinicians to patients, every interaction with a medical device carries real-world consequences, making thoughtful, user-centered industrial design not just valuable, but essential. At the heart of this approach lies the principle that form follows function, a design philosophy that ensures aesthetics never compromise usability.
At KEK Design, we’ve seen firsthand how this principle transforms patient outcomes and clinical workflows. Our portfolio spans decades of work in the healthcare space, from developing blood analyzers for QuidelOrtho, to designing mobile X-ray machines for Carestream. We’ve refined the ergonomics of confocal microscopes for CaliberID, and reimagined patient-friendly eyedropper designs for Bausch + Lomb. Each of these projects was rooted in a deep understanding of how form, function, and human factors must align to create devices that not only work, but truly serve.
By prioritizing human factors, how people physically and cognitively interact with devices, industrial designers are reshaping healthcare experiences to be safer, more intuitive, and more effective. Whether it's improving the grip on a surgical tool or simplifying the interface on a diagnostic device, these design decisions are grounded in empathy, research, and an unwavering focus on real human needs.
Our experience designing for a range of clinical environments and user profiles has given us unique insight into the challenges and opportunities in modern medical design. It’s why we’re passionate about helping shape the next generation of healthcare solutions, ones that meet regulatory demands without sacrificing usability, and that elevate care by centering the user in every design decision.
This post explores how user-centered industrial design, grounded in functionality and guided by human insight, is driving the next wave of innovation in medical technology.
From Technology to Experience: Why Industrial Design Matters in MedTech
For decades, medical device innovation was largely driven by engineering breakthroughs; more powerful imaging systems, faster diagnostics, smaller implants. While these advances are critical, they often prioritized technical capability over user experience. As a result, many devices, though clinically effective, were difficult to use, unintuitive, or intimidating for patients and practitioners alike.
Today, the medical industry is undergoing a paradigm shift. The emphasis is moving from what a device can do to how it integrates into the lives and workflows of the people who use it. This is where industrial design plays a transformative role. It's not just about making devices look good, it's about crafting meaningful, safe, and seamless experiences.
At KEK, our team of Industrial designers and engineers collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and end users to ensure that form, function, and context are aligned. In an environment where every second counts and errors can be life-threatening, good design can improve usability, reduce training time, and even minimize the risk of misuse.
This shift from technology-first to experience-first thinking reflects a broader recognition: when we design for the user, we design for better outcomes. Industrial design is no longer an afterthought, it's a strategic driver of innovation in medical technology.
Putting People First: The Principles of User-Centered Design
At KEK Design, we believe that meaningful innovation in healthcare starts, not in the lab, but with the people who rely on the tools we create. Whether it’s a nurse in a fast-paced ICU or a patient managing a condition at home, our goal is to design products that empower, support, and adapt to real-world needs. That’s the core of user-centered design.
Rather than treating users as an afterthought, we integrate their insights into every stage of the design process. Through ethnographic research, contextual interviews, and hands-on usability testing, we uncover not just what people say they need, but what they actually experience in high-stakes, high-stress medical environments. These observations often reveal the small, overlooked pain points that make a big difference, for example the awkward angle of a button or the cognitive overload of a cluttered interface.
User-centered design isn’t about surface-level fixes, it’s about deeply understanding behavior, routines, and human limitations. We take a systems-level view, considering not just how a device works, but how it fits into clinical workflows, how it’s maintained, and how it affects communication and decision-making.
When we put people first, Industrial Design becomes a bridge, not a barrier, between technology and care.
Form Follows Function: Designing with Purpose and Precision
In the world of medical devices, "Form Follows Function" isn’t aesthetic minimalism for its own sake, it’s a commitment to clarity, efficiency, and purpose.
In healthcare, every design choice must serve a function. A well-contoured grip that reduces strain during long procedures. A clearly labeled interface that eliminates second-guessing in critical moments. A layout that supports sterile handling with ease. When form truly follows function, the device becomes an extension of the user, intuitive, responsive, and invisible in the best way possible.
But purpose-driven design doesn’t mean sacrificing visual quality or emotional resonance. In fact, thoughtful form enhances trust. A product that looks clean, professional, and deliberate signals safety and precision, values that are key in medical environments. It communicates, without words, that the device has been crafted with care and respect for the user.
At KEK, we see aesthetics and usability as two sides of the same coin. Good design is never arbitrary. It's the result of asking the right questions, understanding context, and making every detail count. Because in medicine, when form supports function, the result is more than a better device, it’s better care.
The Human Factor: Safety, Usability, and Emotional Connection
Designing for healthcare means designing for complexity. At KEK Design, we don’t just consider how a device looks or functions, we go deeper. We study how it fits into the lives of real people under real pressure. This is where human factors come into play: the science of how people interact with products physically, cognitively, and emotionally.
In medical environments, even a small friction point can lead to critical errors. That’s why we prioritize safety and clarity in every interaction. Buttons are placed for muscle memory, interfaces reduce decision fatigue, and alerts are distinct without being overwhelming. Each subtle decision adds real value to a product.
But beyond function and safety, we also design for connection. A patient’s first impression of a medical device; its texture, its tone, its ease of use, can influence their confidence and comfort. For clinicians, a tool that feels intuitive builds trust and efficiency. We understand that emotional resonance isn’t a luxury in healthcare—it’s a powerful contributor to compliance, adoption, and overall experience.
At KEK, human factors aren’t a checkbox, they’re a mindset. We prototype, test, observe, and iterate with users every step of the way. Because when devices are designed around people, not just procedures, they become safer, smarter, and more humane
Real-World Impact: Case Study – Designing the VivaScope 1500 with CaliberID
One of our most impactful collaborations at KEK Design was with CaliberID, developing the VivaScope 1500, a state-of-the-art confocal imaging system used for non-invasive skin analysis. While the core technology, real-time, cellular-resolution imaging, is groundbreaking, our role was to ensure that the physical design of the device seamlessly supported both the clinical workflow and the patient experience.
Understanding the VivaScope 1500 began with understanding how it would live in a room, in motion, in the hands of a technician. This wasn’t a static piece of equipment, it was a tool that needed to move fluidly around a patient, often in small exam spaces, without compromising comfort or performance. We observed clinical interactions firsthand, noting how technicians needed unrestricted mobility to position the device accurately, while patients required a sense of ease during a procedure that could otherwise feel highly technical or intimidating.
Our design process was deeply iterative. We started with exploratory sketches that explored a wide range of positioning systems, interface arrangements, and touchpoints for both technician and patient. These weren’t just stylistic explorations, they were rooted in real scenarios, asking: What feels intuitive? What gets in the way? What helps communication between provider and patient?
From there, we moved quickly into rough foam models, full-scale and tactile, allowing us to simulate real-world use. These early models helped uncover practical insights: where technicians naturally placed their hands, how close the device could approach the patient without feeling intrusive, how cables and controls could be managed with minimal disruption. These learnings informed refinements in ergonomics, proportions, and overall device posture.
Through every iteration, we balanced clinical performance with human comfort, ensuring that the device looked and felt like a professional medical tool, but one that respected the emotional and physical boundaries of the patient. The final VivaScope 1500 design offers full range of motion for the clinician, intuitive touchpoints for quick positioning, and a design language that’s approachable, precise, and grounded in care.
Looking Ahead: Designing the Future of Healthcare
As healthcare continues to evolve, so too must the tools that support it. At KEK Design, we see industrial design not as an endpoint, but as a living process, constantly adapting to emerging technologies, shifting patient expectations, and the dynamic environments of care delivery.
Looking ahead, the integration of AI, telemedicine, and personalized diagnostics will require even more thoughtful design. Devices will need to be smarter, more connected, and yet still grounded in human understanding. Sustainability will also become a central concern, pushing us to design products that minimize environmental impact without compromising safety or performance.
Human-Centered Design as a Catalyst for Innovation
Industrial design is often seen as the final polish on a product, but in medical innovation, it’s so much more. It’s the framework for safety, usability, and dignity. It’s the lens through which technology becomes touchable, approachable, and trusted. And most importantly, it’s the bridge that connects invention to impact.
From early sketches to tactile prototypes, from confocal imaging systems to everyday clinical tools, KEK Design is committed to shaping a healthcare future that works—because it works for people.
If we design with care, we help deliver it better. That’s the power of user-centered industrial design.
