Blond

The team was tasked with refining Lily to feel intuitive, dignified, and appropriate for clinics, hospitals, and at-home use. The goal was to help patients feel more in control and less defined by their treatment, while ensuring the product remained relatable and approachable. Building on Luminate’s extensive research and deep tech expertise, we explored the needs of both patients and healthcare providers—identifying ways to enhance usability, performance, and emotional resonance. Comfort, discretion, and familiarity were key considerations, striking a careful balance between medical credibility and lifestyle appeal. The result is a lifestyle-led device that is user-friendly, discreet, and empowering—an alternative to conventional treatment aids that doesn’t compromise on trust or functionality.

Services:
Design Strategy
Industrial Design
Product Design
Art Direction

Photography by Handover.

BLOND’s design approach focused on translating this medical innovation into a product that looks and feels radically different from typical healthcare products on the market. The challenge was to create a medical-grade device that avoided sterile, clinical cues. Instead, Lily draws from lifestyle design, prioritising approachability, aesthetics, and subtlety. The helmet-like shell features flowing split lines that reduce visual mass, while intuitive strap placement, integrated touchpoints, and a custom surface texture contribute to a more refined and reassuring experience—more akin to a premium wellness accessory than a traditional medical device.

Inclusive design principles were central to Lily’s development. The device is lightweight and softly contoured to suit a wide range of head shapes. Cushioned, adjustable Velcro straps magnetically reattach for easy fitting, and an antimicrobial, removable chin strap ensures hygiene and comfort. A discreet capacitive touch interface, subtle orientation markers, and a compact carry case—made from soft, recycled PET felt—enhance the user experience.

To ensure the helmet was properly proportioned, multiple prototypes were developed to test fit, comfort, and usability. These iterative refinements were not only rooted in human-centred design, but also aligned with the regulatory requirements for safe, effective use in both clinical and personal environments.

“As scientists—we’re not experts in how people emotionally relate to physical objects in their environment. That’s why we brought in BLOND. Their approach goes beyond user-centred design to focus on how people connect with the things they use everyday. BLOND’s ability to translate empathy into form was exactly what we needed to make our science accessible to the real world.” Aaron Hannon, Co-Founder & CEO, Luminate.

“Medical devices often focus purely on function, overlooking the emotional and human context in which they’re used. When Luminate approached us with ‘Lily’, we immediately saw the potential to reframe it—not just as a piece of medical equipment, but as something a person could feel comfortable wearing in public, even proud to own. We took inspiration from everyday objects—ensuring the product feels less clinical and more personal. Every design decision, from the intuitive touch interface to the removable, magnetically-fastened straps, was made to empower the user and promote comfort.” James Melia, Founder & Creative Director, BLOND.