Episode Details

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Nathan Pollock, Founder and CEO of Katapult Design, to explore the realities of modern product design, connected devices and bringing innovative ideas to market. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience in industrial design, Nathan shares how Katapult Design guides businesses from product discovery and concept development through prototyping, engineering and manufacturing across sectors including MedTech, agritech, sports technology and consumer products. He also reflects on the career journey that led him to establish Katapult Design and discusses how the convergence of physical products and digital experiences is reshaping product development.

The conversation explores why developing hardware requires a fundamentally different approach from software. Nathan explains that while software can evolve through continuous updates, physical products become significantly more expensive to change once manufacturing begins. Anthony and Nathan discuss the critical role of prototyping, validation and early planning, highlighting how advances in 3D printing and digital modelling have accelerated development while reducing risk. They also examine why experienced design partners deliver value by identifying manufacturing challenges before they become costly production problems.

Anthony and Nathan also discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming product design without replacing the expertise of skilled designers. From accelerating research and visualisation to improving presentations and workflows, AI is helping teams deliver more value while keeping human creativity and judgement at the centre of the design process. They also explore the importance of testing products with real users, explaining how prototypes often uncover valuable insights that cannot be predicted during the planning stage. For startups and entrepreneurs, the episode offers practical advice on navigating the full product journey, including manufacturing, crowdfunding and commercialisation.

The discussion then turns to the future of connected products, sustainability and responsible innovation. Nathan explains why customers increasingly expect products to integrate seamlessly with digital ecosystems while also meeting higher environmental standards. He shares how concepts such as circular design, Right to Repair and recyclable components are becoming key design considerations, alongside advances in battery technology, health monitoring and connected devices. The episode concludes with an insightful discussion about purposeful design, the renewed appreciation for tactile user experiences and why the most successful products solve genuine problems while creating meaningful value for the people who use them.

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