Nicoya

Alto Instrument & System Platform

Winner: 2020 Core77 Design Award
Runner-Up: View Core77 Award Winners!

The World’s first Digital High‑Throughput Benchtop SPR System

The Why

Nicoya wanted to commercialize their ‘research’ instrument into a personal benchtop SPR platform. The vision was to improve the form factor and simplify the researcher’s workflow steps so they can focus on implementing their passion and purpose. Nicoya’s founder, also a scientist, wanted to connect with users on a technical and emotional level by providing an instrument that reflects positivity, inspiration, drive. He wanted the product aesthetic and user experience to match the quality of their revolutionary nano technology.

The Who

Nicoya Alto users are lab researchers working to better understand diseases and discover drugs to improve lives. They are analytical and focused on the highly technical details of their research.

The How

Nicoya’s talented team flew to San Diego for the kick-off. We walked through the researcher’s workflow to identify pain points for physical and digital touchpoints. A branding exercise defined the visual aesthetic for how Nicoya wanted their customers to perceive their product.

Concept ideations were down selected to a form with architectural detail and clean lines. The ‘sample plate’, a key interaction point, is showcased with machined, etched, with anodized surfaces. The loading plate is concealed until use, then revealed with the cover sliding smoothly into the instrument.

Early rapport with the CM led to manufacturing at an affordable price point in less than three months! We helped establish all production processes and sequence of assembly resulting in precision user-facing component interfaces.

Location: Kitchener, Canada.
Client Type: Startup – First Product
Industry: Biotech Instrument
UX, UI, ID, DFM, CM LIAISE: Tawain

The Feeling

The instrument image establishes a feeling of confidence and sophistication. The product interaction puls the user in with an intuitive UI, substantial overall feel, and smooth door transport which slides inside the machine. The device is appropriate for beginner to expert users.