Dr. Rowan Page

A Lecturer in Industrial Design at Monash University and a practice-led design researcher in Health Collab – an interdisciplinary research lab at the intersection of design and health. Rowan’s research is driven by an exploration of design’s roles in supporting translational research efforts, particularly within universities. Through a series of co-authored journal articles (upcoming publications in The Design Journal and The International Journal of Design Management and Professional Practice) Rowan has observed the growing role of universities in attempting to actively and meaningfully translate fundamental research and discovery into practical impact in the world. Through these publications, he advocates for the role of the ‘translational designer’ as a key component in a university-led translational research ecosystem. His methodological research interests include co-design, speculative design, digital fabrication, and the function of designed artefacts as boundary objects within collaborative and interdisciplinary design projects. These interests are built on the foundation of his Ph.D. research on medical device usability and human factors in collaboration with Cochlear Ltd. (a global leader in implantable hearing solutions) and continue through his work understanding the contribution of design to the development of medical devices. His research practice has led to a diverse range of traditional and non-traditional research outputs, including multiple manufactured objects, exhibitions, patents and journal articles.

Publications

Design Translations Symposium

Email: rowan.page@monash.edu

The ** [ ] artificial (intelligence) camera is a creative tool for exploring the emerging intersection between generative artificial intelligence (AI) and creative practice. Referencing the spontaneity and fun of retro instant cameras, you simply point the ‘camera’ towards something of interest, press the ‘shutter button,’ and an AI-generated image is instantly printed.

Unhealthy light behaviour can lead to poor health. MiEye provides constant monitoring of the types of light people are exposed to throughout their day. Through mathematical models, the device understands your personal circadian rhythms and guides you towards healthy light exposures. Making the unconscious and confusing effects of light conscious.

Circadian photoreceptors have powerful effects on our mood and general health. Each individual has different levels of sensitivity and biological response to the same light. This makes studying these effects and providing clinical advice difficult. The PupilMetrix device is an automated tool for the measurement of individual circadian light sensitivity.

Healthcare workers face some of the most demanding workplace environments leading to discomfort, musculoskeletal injury, and fatigue. This project brings together Blundstone’s rich history in workplace safety with Monash University’s research into cutting-edge fabrication, sensor technologies, and user-centred design to develop an intelligent shoe that provides real-time OH&S insights.

A redesign of the battery charging systems that support the external devices in a Cochlear Implant system, undertaken in collaboration with Cochlear Ltd to improve usability, human factors, and user experience.

These speculative, co-created, artefacts provide a window into a larger practice-based Ph.D. study that interrogates how design methods contribute to improving medical device usability. In collaboration with Cochlear Ltd. This practice was informed by the existing human factors usability design methods promoted by regulators, while also investigating the benefits of augmenting these existing approaches with user experience and co-design methods. Integrating the voice of users alongside engineering driven development. The creation and discussion of speculative design probes (shown here), situated within co-design workshops, provided a way to enhance collaboration with medical device users. Providing a way to discuss potential usability issues with future devices, within the formative stages of development. This approach encouraged opportunities to challenge the conceptualisation of how entire devices and interfaces are used; rather than just changes to labels, packaging, and training.

CryoCare adopts a patient-centred approach for Hospital-in-the-Home services, enabling community-based antibiotic infusions. The CryoCare flask maintains drug stability throughout 24-hour infusions via embedded phase change material and a vacuum-insulated flask. Designed in response to patient feedback, CryoCare offers a comfortable and flexible solution that integrates into patients’ lives. In collaboration with Geoff Thompson.

These pendant lights examined the possibility and combination of rapid prototyping and craft approaches to hand finishing as a production method. Parametric modelling through Grasshopper was used to generate a series of diagonal-grid patterns. The lack of tooling created an opportunity to constantly vary patterns for each printed object, with minimal labour and no additionally tooling. Numerous variations allowed the lights to be individual while existing as a series—each simultaneously similar and different. Once printed in Nylon plastic, each was hand-dyed through a similar process used for textiles. These unique gradients augmented digital outcomes, further enhancing individuality and expanding possibility for variation, introducing the hand of the artist into a project using mass production technologies. A collaboration with Studio Batch.

Globally, over 400 Million suffer from asthma yet the classic “blue puffer” has not seen innovation in nearly 70 years. PALM is a patient-centred solution leveraging innovative microfluidic technology to breathe new life into inhaled therapy. Together with collaborators across Monash University, PALM reimagines inhaled therapy seamless through a tailored easy-to-use and data-driven experience. In collaboration with Richard Morfuni and Design Health Collab.

A 3D printed, parametrically designed, case for the Raspberry Pi open-source computer. In collaboration with Ilya Fridman.

The Design Translations exhibition represents a collection of artefacts, prototypes, toolkits, and technologies from research and design projects in the field of healthcare. This collection provides a window into the things that enable designers to communicate with interdisciplinary teams, bring together diverse stakeholders, and invite patients into the design process. In collaboration with Leah Heiss.