528 Innovations had a vision to disrupt the clinical and at-home laser therapy markets. The founders of 528i aimed to bring the therapeutic power of a clinical laser treatment to patients’ homes in a way that is safe, more approachable, and more effective than current therapies. 528 Innovations founders, Dr. Brandon Crawford and Kevin Johnson, approached M3 Design to create their vision of an innovative laser light therapy platform.
"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you all have done to support us, inspire us, and make us look amazing!"Kevin Johnson Co-founder of 528i
M3 laid the groundwork by developing a system architecture strategy to support higher power output and multiple laser wavelengths. This architecture was the starting point for evaluating the product envelope, informing laser safety, and assessing modularity. M3 explored various concepts around this strategy resulting in a refined product look, optimized performance specs, and a seamless UI workflow between the device and companion app.
Developing a portable Class 3R laser takes cooperation and integration across many engineering disciplines. M3’s engineering team and development partners tackled challenges in optics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, firmware development, laser safety, and regulatory compliance. Through close collaboration, we were able to quickly drive this product through testing and into production.
Employing tactics like functional decomposition, optical and thermal analysis, and prototyping, we tackled the technical challenges inherent with complex medical device design. The team identified optical components such as diodes and diffusers that delivered maximum therapeutic output in a safe, compliant package. In parallel with optical design, M3 wrangled air flow management, material selection, and heat sink design to optimize the thermal performance of this high-power, handheld device. M3’s engineers executed on the envisioned product look and feel to deliver a premium experience through steadfast focus on critical user touchpoints such as the button array, LCD screen, and material finishes in support of our industrial design and UI/UX research.
To deliver a cohesive user experience when interacting with the laser device and companion app, M3 conducted user testing with digital mock-ups and physical prototypes. UI test sessions focused on optimizing navigation and functionality of each interface and the interaction across both UIs. The feedback gathered helped M3’s research team define an experience that reflects the real-world needs and expectations of the user in both the clinical and home environments.
Designing intuitive interfaces for the laser therapy device and companion app involved careful user interaction and feedback consideration. M3 implemented a directional keypad for easy navigation, addressing concerns about prolonged use, safety, and difficult-to-see areas of the body. Iterative prototyping and user testing refined the interface for ease of use. For the companion app, workshops and user feedback led to features like pre-treatment info, real-time guidance, and progress tracking. Visual design elements ensured seamless transitions between the device and app, using familiar color paradigms for rating scales to enhance user experience and readability.
M3’s UI/UX team leveraged user feedback to inform design features like in-app instructions and guidance, addressing the need for clarity during laser therapy. To keep the interaction and usage between the device and app straightforward, M3 focused on keeping communication and visuals consistent in everything from the device to the app to the packaging experience. By aligning design elements and functionalities, M3 created a seamless system that boosts usability and user confidence in operating the device.
Packaging is an extension of the product user experience. M3 designed a packaging solution that delivers a premium experience and provides flexibility to adapt to consumer needs. As demand for this innovative product grows and evolves, the packaging design can be reconfigured to accommodate various SKU combinations. M3 expertly conveyed the visual brand language into every element of the product – the UI, the physical device, and the packaging.
