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.
Projects
Poursteady
Product Designer
Jun 2023 — Sep 2023
3 monthsI joined the company during the DVT (Design Validation Testing) stage of the upcoming PS2 product. I tackled critical industrial design and engineering issues across the PS2 and classic product lines, and led the UX and interaction design for PS2.
My work in interaction and UX design was recognized in the accredited awards below. While Smart Design was credited for the award, the interaction and UX design were led by me and engineered by the Poursteady team.
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Silicon Valley UX Awards 2024 - Runner Up
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Core77 Design Awards 2024 - Notable
- “The intuitive interface and streamlined operation allow baristas to set parameters quickly, ensuring a precise, consistent pour every time. This user-friendly approach reduces the learning curve, allowing staff to focus on customer service and other aspects of the café experience.”
Interaction & Experience Design
Challenge
Design an intuitive, seamless user experience for baristas, covering the entire flow from boot-up to onboarding, settings, and brewing:
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Allow users to quickly understand the current stage of the brewing process at a glance.
- Enable the creation of complex pour-over coffee recipes with the same customization options as the mobile platform, all on a 128x64 OLED monochrome display, using only a rotary knob for interaction.
Final Product
Industrial Design & EngineeringI also played a key role in solving critical issues before the manufacturing of the first set of beta units. My responsibilities included prototyping, CAD design, manufacturing collaboration, and marketing support.
PS2 — Bulkhead & Power SwitchBackground
At the DVT (Design Validation Testing) stage, the PS2 machine had not yet achieved certification from NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories). One critical issue preventing certification was the location of the power switch (as seen in the image below). Its placement posed safety risks during both use and maintenance. Additionally, it severely hindered serviceability—maintenance personnel would need to remove the machine’s side panel to access key electrical components, but the wiring configuration, constrained by the switch’s location, made this process difficult and inefficient.
Challenge
How might we reposition the power switch to improve accessibility for maintenance personnel while ensuring compliance with UL safety requirements and maintaining overall usability?
Impact
Through rapid prototyping using 3D printing and machining, and in close collaboration with the engineering team, we determined that relocating the switch to the machine’s outer bulkhead was the most effective solution. This bulkhead already housed primary inlets (e.g., water and network), making it a logical and accessible placement. I led the design of this new bulkhead using 18-gauge 304 stainless steel, organizing the initial design specifications before handing them off to a mechanical engineer for finalization and quoting.
This revised switch placement was implemented in the final launched product, successfully meeting UL safety standards and greatly improving serviceability for users.
PS2 — Cable ManagementBackground
Another key challenge with the current build was cable management for the central unit located just behind the display. This area powers the machine’s core functionality—the nozzle translating along the x-axis while rotating to emulate a pour-over motion. However, this motion was frequently compromised by poor cable routing. At the time, cables were secured using temporary tape and off-the-shelf components that were cumbersome to apply and remove, making both maintenance and operation inefficient.
Challenge
How might we design a low-cost, in-house cable management system that preserves ease of assembly and maintenance while supporting the PS2’s dynamic motion?
Impact
My role was to prototype alternative cable management solutions that eliminated reliance on off-the-shelf parts. I was encouraged to focus on fast, affordable in-house manufacturing approaches that improved usability for end users and service teams, while ensuring the uninterrupted function of the PS2’s key movements.
I designed custom cable resting units that provided secure yet accessible routing pathways. While early versions were 3D-printed, they were engineered with sheet metal bending in mind for scalable manufacturing. My work defined the critical mounting locations, access clearances, and dimensions needed, forming the foundation for the PS2’s final cable management system.
PS1 — PCB ProtectionBackground
While the PS2 was in development, sustaining work was still needed on the PS1—Poursteady’s original flagship machine, with hundreds of units in use worldwide. Over time, some components naturally began to degrade. A particularly costly issue involved a minor internal water spray from a worn hose. When this moisture reached the main PCB, it rendered the machine inoperable, often requiring a full board replacement—each costing over $1,000.
Challenge
How might we design a fast, low-cost, and easily installable in-house solution to prevent water damage to PS1 machines—minimizing downtime and costly PCB replacements?
Given the severity and cost of this issue, the solution needed to be manufacturable in-house, installable by anyone from maintenance personnel to baristas, and deployable within a three-week timeline from ideation to shipment.
Impact
I led the end-to-end development of the solution—from ideation through prototyping, testing, and production. I used fishpaper (sourced in bulk from McMaster-Carr) and employed vinyl cutting as the primary manufacturing method using in-office equipment. The final design included built-in affordances for intuitive, tool-free installation.
We shipped the solution to all clients at risk of failure, and feedback was positive—praised for its ease of use and effectiveness. While the exact cost savings are difficult to quantify, the solution likely prevented thousands of dollars in PCB replacements and helped strengthen customer trust through responsive support.