I led the industrial design for Hydro Flask’s drying rack through a focused, iterative process that balanced user needs, manufacturing constraints, and the brand’s design intent.

Research & concepting

• Conducted competitive analysis and user interviews to identify common pain points: limited counter space, instability with various bottle sizes, and drying hygiene.

• Generated multiple concepts emphasizing modularity, water drainage, and compact storage. Prioritized ideas that aligned with Hydro Flask’s material and aesthetic standards.

Prototyping & user testing

• Built low- and high-fidelity prototypes (3D-printed parts, CNC models, and soft-mock assemblies) to validate form, fit, and function.

• Ran moderated usability sessions in real kitchens with representative users, observing how bottles, lids, and accessories were loaded, how water drained, and how the rack stored between uses.

• Collected quantitative metrics (load stability, average drying time) and qualitative feedback (ease of use, perceived durability) to iterate rapidly.

Managing feature creep

• Defined a clear project scope and prioritized features using a simple MOSCOW framework (Must, Should, Could, Won’t) tied to user impact and manufacturability.

• Resisted adding ancillary features requested during reviews that would compromise simplicity (complex folding mechanisms). Scoped a clear MVP that solved core user problems while leaving room for accessory product lines later.

Engineering collaboration & maintaining design intent

• Partnered closely with engineering and tooling teams to translate organic forms into injection-moldable geometry and to select materials that balance strength, drainability, and tactile finish.

• When engineering constraints threatened the visual language or user experience (wall thickness, draft angles, snap-fit limitations), negotiated alternatives—minor silhouette adjustments, hidden joins, or refined ribbing—that preserved the perceived quality and usability.

• Led fit-and-function reviews and accepted controlled compromises only when they maintained the primary design goals: stability, drainage efficiency, and a compact footprint.

Outcome

• Delivered a manufacturable drying rack that met user needs validated in testing, stayed within scope, and retained Hydro Flask’s design intent despite engineering challenges. Continued monitoring post-launch feedback to inform potential accessory features and future iterations.