Product Development

How we designed three award-winning products that can save lives and change the world.

Draper

Draper, a world-renowned research and development organization based in Cambridge, is known for pioneering solutions in healthcare, energy, space exploration, and national security. With more than 1,600 engineers and scientists, the nonprofit had no shortage of advanced technologies in development, but it needed a way to translate them into functional, human-centered products that could attract investment and global recognition.

Sprout partnered with Draper to design three breakthrough innovations: a microplastic-sensing underwater drone, a portable thermoelectric cooling system, and an immunotherapy bioprocessing device. Together, we transformed complex science into compelling, functional products that earned industry acclaim, secured critical funding, and set the stage for long-term impact.

Using technologies to solve global challenges

Cohesive elements

After establishing the basic product roadmap for our three products — an autonomous microplastic-sensing underwater drone, a thermoelectric mobile fridge, and an immunotherapy bioprocessing device.

Looking to unify Draper’s visual brand language, the team looked for cohesive components: form, details, lighting, graphics, color, material, and finish. Our first phase led us to design for signature elements that are intentional, innovative, dynamic, and unobtrusive.

Taking shape

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Putting the user first

In the final phases of design, we worked closely with the Draper team in order to design intentionally, being mindful of the aesthetics and sustainability throughout the product lifespans.

A visual brand language for the future

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Education

Our studio’s final deliverable was to create and educate Draper’s 1,600+ employees on the Visual Brand Language we created. The final VBL was rolled out company-wide with multiple in-person workshops explaining how to use and scale the VBL.

Results

As a non-profit, Draper relies on partnerships and external funding. These exploratory technologies were sponsored primarily by organizations like the Gates Foundation, providing Draper the opportunity to engineer and refine their technologies. Having a strong VBL, physical prototypes, and increased awareness has helped Draper secure millions in investment funding, won numerous prestigious awards cartelizing public interest, leading to further development.

  • Each project aims to make a specific task easier and more streamlined, and they collectively offer a sneak peek into the future of technology.

    Emily Engle
    Editor

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Awards