Emma Fratila
product design
"Ion Mincu" University of Architecture and Urbanism
Specialisms: Product Design / Industrial Design / Design for Social Good
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Emma Fratila
First Name: Emma
Last Name: Fratila
Specialisms: Product Design / Industrial Design / Design for Social Good
Sectors:
My Location: Bucharest, Romania
University / College: "Ion Mincu" University of Architecture and Urbanism
Course / Program Title: product design
About
I am a Product Design graduate from UAUIM Bucharest. My practice focuses on human-centered design, rooted in in-depth user research. Guided by empathy and responsibility, I am interested in human interaction and the role technology plays in our relationship with objects. Drawing from my varied experience, I take a flexible approach, viewing design as an essential tool for accessibility and sustainability.
"Shift" is an interactive educational kit designed to combat the stigma surrounding teenagers with type 1 diabetes by cultivating empathy. Statistics indicate that 65% of youth with this condition face marginalization due to a lack of awareness among their peers. Addressing this issue, the project turns empathy from a purely theoretical concept into a practical exercise, centered on direct user experience. The system proposes a one-week simulation where students experience the daily medical routine of a patient. The kit consists of four devices equipped with tangible physical feedback: a glucotest, a lancing pen, an insulin pen, and a monitor. Through these objects, users simulate blood glucose testing, treatment administration, and the management of medical alerts, reacting to simulated fluctuations. At the end of the module, the teacher receives a detailed report on the user's engagement and responses. Through its interactive design, "Shift" does not merely explain the theoretical impact of diabetes; it invites the public to experience it firsthand. This approach generates a profound understanding of this reality, ultimately fostering social inclusion.
Competitions
