Behind the Scenes: The Making of Hydrific’s Smart Water Sensor

Innovative Industrial Design & Water-Saving Solutions | Startup Success Stories Join host Christina Perla in this episode of 'Talking Design and Engineering' with guest Emilie Williams, co-founder and career director of Hydrific, as they explore her journey into industrial design and the creation of the Droplet smart home water sensor. Discover the rigorous development process, including optimizing water efficiency, overcoming waterproofing challenges, and the importance of user research and iterative testing. Learn how Hydrific's innovative product reached its Kickstarter goal in just 11 minutes, and get insights into balancing work-life demands in the startup world. Tune in for more on the future of design, technology, and physical products. 00:00 Cultural Insights and Office Humor: The Dead Fish Metaphor 00:28 Introducing Talking Design and Engineering by MAKE.LAB 01:22 The Journey into Industrial Design: From Graphic Design to 3D Printing 03:10 Exploring the World of Industrial Design Education and Early Career Moves 05:21 The Evolution of a Designer: From Graphic Design to Industrial Design 23:42 The Startup Life Inside a Corporation: The Birth of Hydrific 31:09 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Building Hydrific from the Ground Up 38:10 Unveiling the Final Design: A Journey from Concept to Production 38:54 Smart Home Innovation: Waterproofing Challenges and Solutions 39:31 Design Evolution: From Concept Sketches to Production Models 40:14 Machine Learning and Water Flow Detection: A Technological Leap 41:05 From Design to Reality: The Power of 3D Printing in Prototyping 45:56 The Inspiration Behind the Design: Making Water Conservation Approachable 01:01:52 Startup Challenges and Triumphs: The Kickstarter Success Story 01:05:37 The Future of Smart Home Technology: What's Next for the Team 01:09:20 A Deep Dive into CAD Tools and Design Processes 01:12:57 Reflecting on the Journey: The Earthquake, Team Dynamics, and Looking Ahead ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBSCRIBE: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AlW6ZuuhUgXrXagPWoFPF?si=fb4e490d76114b35 - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-design-engineering/id1711970893 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@makelab3D/podcasts FOLLOW: - Instagram: www.instagram.com/makelab3d - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/makelab3d - Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@makelab FIND MORE ABOUT EMILIE HERE: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliewilliams/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Makelab is an on-demand 3D printing service for parts + prototypes serving consumer/hardware brands locally in NYC, San Francisco, and shipping nationwide. Founded by two Pratt industrial designers with decades of hands-on expertise in product design & development. Makelab works with agencies like Doris Dev, PENSA, Interwoven Design Group, and brands like AiTA Bio, Estee Lauder, Judith Leber, and Eaton to accelerate agile product development while ensuring quality outcomes. Get an instant quote or a 1 to 1 consultation for your next project at www.makelab.com