Being an Engineer Reade Harpham | Flat Org Structures, Communicating with Engineers & Philanthropic Design
Jan 13, 2023
Reade Harpham, an industrial designer specializing in healthcare and a senior medical device specialist at Priority Designs, shares valuable insights on effective communication with engineering teams, emphasizing the importance of numbers. He discusses the innovative flat organizational structure at Priority Designs, which fosters creativity and efficiency without the constraints of bureaucracy. Reade also delves into the significance of user-centric design and philanthropic initiatives, showcasing how engineering can positively impact communities through thoughtful collaboration.
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Bridging Design and Engineering
- Reade initially struggled because he was an "obnoxious designer" presenting user needs in non-engineering terms.
- He succeeded once he translated user needs into specific, quantifiable engineering requirements.
Balancing Technology and Humanity
- Technology should empower users but not be so easy that it causes harm, like a child accessing medical pumps.
- Balancing user ability and safety is essential in healthcare product design.
Battelle's Unique R&D Impact
- Battelle is a large, unknown nonprofit R&D company focusing on technology advancement for societal good.
- Reade appreciated working on advanced medical devices and impactful projects during his career there.