John Hong
Stanford, CA


I am a product designer who operates at the junction of software and hardware. From machine interfaces to mobile/web platforms, I design experiences through a lens that places people at the heart of innovation.

With a MS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford, specializing in physical product design and manufacturing, and a BS in Product Design from Stanford, I blend technical expertise with a deep foundation in human-centered design to create meaningful, impactful solutions.

Professional Work

Projects
· Hardware
· Software

About Me
           01 Quintessence

Objective
Design a mechanical system that allows the extraction of drinkable 9-bar espresso.

Design & Fabrication
Generative design (Fusion360) to model a portafilter that would withstand the calculated forces for pulling a 9-bar shot with safety factor of 2.5, SLA printing with Tough2000 resin from Formlabs, manual lathe for piston interface for food safety, OTS component from Superkop (polycarbonate brew chamber), FDM printing for custom PLA prints of accessories (dosing funnel, WDT, distributer, tamper)
Jan 2024 — Mar 2024
3 months




02 One Micron Mechanism

Objective
Design a 1-degree-of-freedom mechanism guided by a metal flexure (prevent parasidic motion) to achieve translation with average position error ≤ 1µm and average repeatability: ≤ 1µm.

Design & Fabrication
Waterjet-cut aluminum (flexure), SLA-printed Durable resin (differential screw), FDM-printed PLA (body), other (laser-cut acrylic)

Results
RMS Position Error = 6.0951µm
Mean Repeatability Error = 7.2500µma May 2024
3 weeks

03 To You in 6000 Years

Objective
Design a meaningful object for 3-axis CNC machining, involving 3 part flips and appropriate workholding strategies.

Design & Fabrication
Copper for material, 3 part flips (front, back, hole for necklace), wax for fixture, Fusion360 (CAD & CAM), CNC (HaasV2 & V2SS)

Story
In ancient Mesopotamia, people wore seals as necklaces, rolling them on clay to display their signatures. I made my own to pay homage to Mesopotamians and future people who'll study this seal in 6000 years, much like I do today.

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Mar 2023
3 weeks

04 Pharaoh’s Scream

Objective
Design a functioning whistle for 3-axis CNC machining within 1.6 cubic inches.

Design & Fabrication
Brass for material, 2 part flips for each component, Fusion360 (CAD & CAM), CNC (HaasV2 & V2SS)

Story
“Could a pharaoh have ever been ensnared alive within a sarcophagus?” is a thought that crossed my mind when I was brainstorming. After learning the mechanisms of Ancient Aztec death whistles, I combined the two ideas to design a whistle that echoes the cries of a confined pharaoh.

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Feb 2023
3 weeks




05 Skateboard Truck

Obective
Design a product that uses at least 2 of the manufacturing processes available at the Product Realization Lab.

Design & Fabrication
Breaking away from conventional casting for skateboard trucks, I set out on a personal challenge to craft one entirely through machining. I meticulously created each component of this skateboard truck. This endeavor not only brought this aesthetically stunning piece to life but also allowed me to relish the exhilarating experience of riding it. I used Fusion360 (CAD), mill, lathe, steel, and aluminum for design and manufacturing.

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Sep 2021 — Dec 2021
3 months



06 Wizard of Oz Geneva Drive

Obective
Design and fabricate a mechanism with SolidWorks and laser cutting. 

Design & Fabrication
One of the most memorable movie scenes from my childhood is where Dorothy and her crew encounter the great Wizard of Oz in Emerald City. Using Illustrator and laser cutter, I recreated this iconic moment in the form of a Geneva drive where Oz’s head is the rotating drive and driven drive are flames. If you look closely, you may even find more Easter eggs!
Jun 2019
3 weeks