Hardware Isn't Hard, It's Complicated

#sxsw #hardup

ATTENTION: You must signup in advance to attend this workshop. You will need to have a valid SXSW badge, and an activated SXsocial account. To reserve your seat, please go here: https://sup.sxsw.com/schedule/IAP25753

Consumer and technological devices created by individuals, small startups, and crowdfunded companies are one of the fastest growing segments in new hardware and product development today. What was almost impossible 10 to 15 years ago, and reserved only for the largest consumer brands is now accessible to the creative masses via access to new investment, design, rapid prototyping, engineering, production, and support tools available.

This two and a half hour long workshop is an in depth look at all of the product development stages from idea and investment, design and engineering, and manufacturing and support. Attendees will gain a complete understanding of what the process and key components are when developing complex hardware and technological innovations into producible, deliverable, and supportable products through the lens of three integrated themes; design, engineering, and manufacturing.

The tools gained from this interactive session allow attendees to successfully bring new ideas to market by understanding all the aspects of integrated product development.

Prerequisites:
- None.

What to Bring:
- Nothing in particular.

Presenters

Aren Kaser

Co-Founder

Igor Institute

Aren is the co-founder and principal at Igor Institute, a product development engineering firm located in Seattle, WA. As a strategic marketing and communications business professional Aren has led teams of talented people committed to enhancing companies' unique brands and helping redefine the conversation around product development, hardware engineering, healthcare, and higher education. His areas of focus have ranged wide—from integrated marketing and communications strategy to external branding, business development, project management, media outreach, and creative direction. Aren has his BA and MA from Seattle University where he is currently an Adjunct Professor for for the 2013/14 academic year. His recent work experience includes Synapse Product Development, the University of Washington, and Seattle University.

Sean Murphy

Design Engineering Dir

Smart Design

With 15 years of product development experience in consumer electronics, medical devices and toys, my focus is on commercializing new technology and bringing products to market. I'm a believer that user centered design is key to successful consumer products, and the traditional lines between HW + SW design and development have to erased.

Steve Lowe

Co Founder & Electrical Engineer

Igor Institute

As an accomplished electrical engineer Steve has worked in a variety of challenging areas of hardware technology. Steve worked on RADAR detection and identification systems at a large defense contractor both in Integration and Testing and later as a Systems Architect. In his spare time he also developed a “Robotic Chair” art project. While at Synapse Product Development, Steve worked on precision analog, low power digital, wireless, and signal processing intensive systems for various clients, with a few patents issued along the way. While pursuing his second electrical and computer engineering degree at Cornell, Steve worked with a team of autonomous soccer-playing robots, which taught him two things: one, a dedicated multidisciplinary team working together can create something truly amazing; and two, that robots will eventually take over the planet.