Lucas Licht Pradillo

My Professional Identity

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When I think about what kind of designer I am, two things stand out. Firstly, I am focused on creating tangible designs that can be physically interacted with. Secondly, I have a strong desire to integrate the values of users into the design process to ensure my designs solve actual problems.

In my projects, I aim to design solutions that could be implemented in the next 5-15 years. While I have explored speculative design, it has taught me that I struggle to relate to such projects as they feel too abstract. Instead, I prefer to focus on actionable future trends, such as automated vehicles, as they also align with align with my passion for automotive design. In my designs, I also strive for simplicity by including only relevant and meaningful aspects with a belief in the essentialist mindset: focusing on essential features being implemented properly.

To be drawn into a project, I need a clear problem statement, making processes such as material-driven design unappealing. My main expertise lies in the design and development phases, as they best fit my skills. Firstly, I have the ability to involve users and stakeholders in the design process through methods such as co-creations, or by evaluating concepts using techniques such as Wizard of Oz. Secondly, I also have the skill transform ideas into aesthetic designs using a range of creative skills. Thirdly, I can develop experienceable prototypes using tools such as Arduino and 3D modelling and printing.

I prefer multidisciplinary teams with diverse cultural backgrounds. As a empathetic person, I often take a guiding role because I can understand my team members’ perspectives and ensure everyone’s strengths are utilized. Additionally, it makes me attentive to team dynamics, ensuring everyone can express themselves. I believe the value of multidisciplinary teams lies in the opportunity to expand one’s skills by sharing whilst also learning from the others.

Overall, I see myself as a user-centred designer who enjoys the creative and hands-on aspects of the design process with the skill of re-directing myself, when new insights arise. My design language is inspired by simplicity, and I envision myself working in the automotive field, focusing on advanced concepts that make future technologies experienceable.

My Vision

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The affordability of digital screes has reduced production costs by e.g., minimizing mechanical components [1]. However, this shift also led to a design paradigm of over-reliance on touchscreen interaction resulting in overly complicated interfaces. I have also noticed ‘Feature Bloating’ [2] whilst looking at new products. In many cases the question arises: Is this feature really necessary? These two observations formed my belief that products should focus on specific tasks rather than trying to solve everything at once, often resulting in more complex interfaces.

A prime example of this are the all-digital infotainment screens in modern cars. Accessing even basic settings, such as the air conditioning, often requires multiple steps. This not only frustrates users but also diverts attention from driving, increasing the risk of accidents. Something I have experienced myself. While digital screens enable new features, they often make the interaction less meaningful and impact intuitiveness.

For these reasons, I aim to create designs that maintain tangible interactions, even if these solutions are not as cost-effective, with the goal of delivering a more qualitative experience. To achieve this, I believe that design should always be user centered as I am designing for them, and integrating their values should be the primary goal. However, my vision of reintegrating tangible interactions can easily misalign with stakeholders. It is then my goal to inform stakeholders about the benefits of sticking to core values and prioritizing long-term user satisfaction over novelty.

To conclude, although digital technology can enable many product functionalities, it doesn’t mean they are all necessary and more importantly they should all be digitalized. Instead, designers should aim for a well-informed balance between the benefits of digital screen technology and tangible interfaces.

[1] V. Trijard-Caddy, “Enhancing Automotive Interface Design: Insights From Touchscreen Usability and Driver Interaction Studies,” Usability and User Experience , no. 156, 2024.
[2] Feature Bloat – The Silent Epidemic – Blossom. (2016, February 10). Blossom. https://blossom.co/index.html%3Fp=526.html