Matthew Wilkins
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
Design an electric truck for the workers of the world. ATLIS started in a garage as a small startup. I was employee #3, which meant that I needed the ability to work on a variety of projects simultaneously until we were able to hire help. I believe a good Designer should be flexible enough to work within any category, constantly be seeking opportunities to learn new skills and push themselves to have a voice in as much of a project as possible. This perspecitve helped me thrive in this environment enabled our team to cover more ground.
PROJECTS COMPLETED
XT PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT
1: Ideation & feature development
4: Sheetmetal structure
2: CAD modeling
3: Vacuum forming panels
5: Final assembly
PLATFORM & MOTORS
The XP Platform and Motors were the first projects that I worked on. At the time we just needed a “Looks Like” prototype to drive interest. This design is still in use today and is functional.
“The DECK” This prototype was used to verify ergonomics and vehicle dimensions. Despite an ever shrinking timeline and budget, I championed this step of the design process and convinced the company to build the prototype. It proved invaluable. Later development paired this prototype with VR technology to evaluate CAD models.
CHARGING HANDLE
A 15-minute charge time required a proprietary 1.5 Mega Watt charging system. The resulting charging handle had to be rather large to account for the cable and cooling system.
CHARGING STATION
The charging station needed to be identifiable and communicate via a status indicator light. The charge handle needed to dock into the station for diagnostics and to keep the tip heated during the winter to avoid ice build up.
Note the hole in the ceiling in the picture to the right. This was caused by a battery fire.
WING MIRRORS Wing mirrors improved vehicle efficency and safety. The structure is able to fully retract into the vehicle leaving a clean surface when parked. When active, the mast is able to extend up to 200mm to provide ample viewing angles while pulling a large trailer. I added additional lighting functionality around the mast which allowed the structure to serve as a worklight.
UI Design As a work truck this vehicle would have very different use cases. Taking these into account, we wanted to make sure that we built a UI that would be flexible but simple enough that they would still work in a fleet vehicle scenario. We also wanted to limit the number of clicks to reach the most used task, ultimately leading to a better user experience and a safer driving experience.
Design a pro-grade digital sketch tool kit.
BACKGROUND XENCE LABS product line balances targeted features, durability, and design at an affordable price. This was an interesting project to work on as the brand was actively being created as I was designing their first product. I was involved in Consumer Research and even given the opportunity to travel to Schenzen, China to see early production units of the design I had created.
1. Tablet 2. Quick Key Remote 3. Three Button Pen 4. Thin Pen 5. Pen Case
Pen Tablet Pro Kit
3. 4.
1.
2.
5.
PRO SKETCH TABLET
QUICK KEY REMOTE
Design a Skeleton training suit.
BACKGROUND
Why focus on training? Untapped opportunity for innovation:
Competition suits are heavily regulated but training gear is an opportunity for innovation.
Kendall Wesenberg
John Daly
Deanna Panting
Current Skeleton Athlete 17th in PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics
Current Skeleton Athlete Olympic Standings 16th in PyeongChang 15th in Sochi 17th in Vancouver
Former Skeleton Athlete CEO of Qwixskins Inc. Works with athletes around the world to create custom speedsuits for competition.
No training suit currently exist:
Racers typically train in their old competition gear which offers no protection during training runs exposing racers to potential risk of injury on new tracks.
Better training leads to wins:
Knowing a course is a big advantage but most racers can typically only handle 3 training runs per day.
Training should not be dangerous:
The repeated trauma from shaking during runs causes concussions affecting racer’s ability to memorize a course as well as their day to day life.
PROBLEMS TO SOLVE Based on my research and interviews, I’m focusing on three key aspects of improvement. This will allow atheletes to practice longer, minimize strain on their body, and will ultimately improve competition performance.
Comfort
Improved materials and construction to better conform around and support the body.
Protection
Integrated padding in strategic locations on the body to reduce unnecessary body fatigue and injuries.
Support
Neck support to help racers hold their head up during corners, dampen vibrations and prevent concussions from sustained trauma.
INTEGRATED PROTECTION
Taped seams.
Texturing for Aerodynamics
Shoulder Mobility
Neck Support and Protection
Panel Construction
Q-Collar Concussion Prevention
Protection
Integrated Padding
DESIGN EXPLORATION I began by exploring how best to place protection padding and seams to enable the best possible mobility for skeleton racing. I quickly identified significant differences in the design needs of the front and back of the suit.
Streamlined Seams
Aerodynamic Elements
Dimpling
Simplified Knit
Expansion Seams
Chest Padding
REFINEMENT
PATTERN DEVELOPMENT
SUPPORT EXPLORATION The major goal with designing the neck support was to allow the wearer to have mostly full movement and then restrict that movement once the athlete was on the sled. Additionally the Q-collar component would create pressure within the skull and protect the brain from vibrations while on the sled.
FINAL PROTOTYPE Neck Brace: Not Visible Integrated Neck/Upper Spine Padding Chest padding
Grippy Friction Plates Integrated Shoulder Padding
Technical
SPEED
Orange Fabric: Non-permiable aerodynamic fabric Non-Stretch
Integrated Thigh Padding
Black Fabric: Stretch and conform to the body
Design Focus: Protect the athlete from impacts when loading the sled and keep them secured.
FRONT
BACK
Design Focus: Protect the athlete from collisions to the track surface and provide aerodynamic advantage.
Design a headband to securely mount Officer body cameras.
BACKGROUND
I came into this project after the camera system had been created but little design had been done on how the camera would be attached to officers. In addition to the headband I designed several of the attachment options and wire management.
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Comfortable
To wear on the head for the length of a long shift.
No Interference
Cannot interfere with existing communication earpieces.
Flexible
Can fit a range of heights, head sizes, and shapes.
Durable
Can hold up during violent physical altercations.
No Chocking Hazard
Can not be used as a weapon against the officer.
Tactical Look
Aesthetics must fit in with the rest of equipment.
INSPIRATION
EXPLORATION
POV testing with lasers
DESIGN EVALUATION Long Term Field Test
FEATURES
Retention screws to flip mount to opposite side.
Magnetic mount with ball joint swivel.
Cable routing.
Overmolded rubber ear rest.
ASCENTION 37° Design a shoe to meet the needs of elite Redbull 400 Athletes.
BACKGROUND
Athletes race to the top of a ski jump slope to proceed to the next heat. Successful runners will ascend the course up to three times in a day.
ATHLETE INSIGHT
BETTER LUGS
“More grip on the shoe. The lugs need to be more pronounced. I slipped in the grass.”
MINIMAL LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN “I didn’t want to buy trail shoes as they seem to heavy and bulky.“
“I had planned on wearing lightweight cleats or sprinting spikes but they are not allowed.“
FOOT RETENTION & SUPPORT “They need to hold to your foot better. The extreme angle and ridgid nature of trail shoes felt like it was going to fall off.“ “I wish my heel would stay put.” “I want something that is lightweight with a ton of ankle support.“
FLEXIBILITY
“I want enough flexion, but it also needs to not be too flexible.”
WORK ON MULTIPLE SURFACES KEY OBSERVATION: Heel never touches the ground.
“Grass hill... was slippery.” “Cross planks and lugs didn’t line up.” “Lugs got stuck in the ropes.” “Last 100m of the jump was slippery... moss and disintegrating concrete.”
INSPIRATION
SILHOUETTE
COLOR
Trail Running Shoe Lightweight Sprinting Spike 3D Printed Traction
Loud, Bright, Eye Catching Grayscale with color pop
GRAPHICS Geometric Patterning Thin Taped Layers Lightweight Translucent Fabric
EXPLORATION
REFINEMENT Front lugs to dig in Form fitting sock-like upper for ankle retention on foot
Heel retention
Reduced heel
Multiple types of traction elements for various surfaces
Large lugs for grass
MAKING PROCESS
Last Wrap
Upper Construction
Upper in Last
Upper Lacing
Rubber Dip on Toe
Outsole Solidworks Model
3D Printed Outsole
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
ASCENTION 37° RedBull Hill Sprint Shoe
THANK YOU