Viktoria Simon

HYLOW

Product Design - BA (Hons)

School of Design

viktoriasimondesign@gmail.com

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The image shows a blue silicone curved device with a red cylinder inserted into its gray plastic component, surrounded by various gray plastic accessories including circular containers, cylindrical pieces, and patterned components. A circular gray device with white center elements sits in the background.

Project description

In Short:

HYLOW functions on comfort and humanisation, reimagining injection and care processes within Type 1 diabetes. HYLOW transforms Type 1 diabetes care from clinical and intimidating to comfortable and empowering. HYLOW is a collection that targets the emotional and physical challenges of daily injecting and care within Type 1 Diabetes.

The collection creates an alternative method, bridging the gap between basic insulin pens and expensive, invasive automated solutions like insulin pumps—which remain inaccessible for many. Working with existing insulin pens and needles, HYLOW reimagines the daily injection experience whilst maintaining familiarity and affordability.

All products use standardised insulin pens and needles available on prescription, ensuring accessibility without disrupting conventional medical practices.

Detailed Project Description

Embracing comfort in every injection, confidence in every day.

The HYLOW Care Collection addresses both physical and emotional challenges of multiple daily insulin injections.

Designed specifically for those beginning their diabetes journey or struggling with needle anxiety or other personal barriers within their treatment; this four-part system transforms medical necessity into manageable self-care.

The Collection Includes:

HYLOW Injector
Automatically pinches skin whilst converting the conventional stabbing motion into a gentle "hugging" action. This design mimics our natural bodily reaction to pain—holding and squeezing an area for comfort. Conceals the needle completely and enables true one-handed operation, making different injection sites easier to reach whilst offering discretion anywhere.

HYLOW Shield
Reduces needle phobia through visual camouflage whilst textured patterns provide sensory distraction to minimise pain perception.

HYLOW Connector
Features larger gripping surfaces for easier needle attachment—essential for users with sore fingers from frequent blood sugar testing.

HYLOW Compress
Delivers targeted hot and cold therapy to prevent injection site complications like bruising, pain and rashes, whilst aming to help control insulin absorption and needle insertion through hot and cold therapy.

Image shows what the design is trying to prevent and improve upon around Type 1 diabetes in 4 visual images

The image shows a close up of someone holding the Hylow injector with a hugging motion, ready to inject whilst the rest of the designs are on the table at the background of the image.

Hylow Injector zoomed in photo, seeing its circular blue form in the background whilst the needle storage is at the front showing needles stored inside.. The storage is at the center and the rest of the components are around it.

The image shows a blue silicone curved device made of gray plastic component, surrounded by various gray plastic accessories including circular containers, cylindrical pieces, and patterned components. A circular gray device with white center elements sits in the background.

Hylow Injector zoomed in photo shown fully assembled with the insulin pen, revealing the injector on its own from a side view. The image shows the details of the circular patterns on the side of the silicone form.

Injector shown from below, where we can see the needle and a hand is holding it whilst pressing the insulin pen's dial, ready to inject.

Why?

As a designer, I believe we can do better than anxiety-ridden medical treatments. Medical devices shouldn't prioritise function over the comfort they could provide. I want to challenge the traditional function-orientated healthcare system by proving that designs can treat and care simultaneously in a comfortable manner.

Whether at home, in public, or within clinical settings—how should we be treated when we need help? We deserve comfort, empowerment and dignity regardless of our medical needs.

We shouldn't be scared to care for ourselves or continue treatment. We shouldn't have to 'live with it,' 'adapt to it,' or 'get used to it'—especially with something designed to help us. Instead, medical tools should adapt to us, making us feel empowered rather than vulnerable, at any age.

Hylow Injector zoomed in photo, seeing its circular blue form. The injector is at the center and the rest of the components are around it.

Meaning and Underlying Story

HYLOW: Finding Balance Through the Highs and Lows

The name HYLOW plays on the daily blood sugar fluctuations that define Type 1 diabetes—the constant "highs and lows." This reflects the daily challenges and realities of managing the condition.

But HYLOW also represents finding middle ground: between basic insulin pens and complex automated pumps, between medical necessity and comfortable care. It proves that effective diabetes management doesn't require expensive, invasive technology—just thoughtful design that works with your life, not against it.

Whilst the collection can come in various colours: The blue colour and circular motifs symbolise and honour the international Type 1 diabetes symbol, connecting users to a global community of support and tells the story through aesthetics.

*The collection can be produced in various colours to suit individual preferences.*

Process and Development

Collection of 3D printed development of Hylow's parts

A more refined prototype before the final iterations of the Hylow kit.

Inspiration

My fiancé's lifelong journey with Type 1 diabetes inspired this project. Throughout the many years; Witnessing daily challenges—injections, hospital visits, skin reactions—motivated me to use design as a tool for more compassionate diabetes management, especially for those using manual insulin pens and start a work within the healthcare system to humanise treatments.

Community Research

HYLOW emerged from extensive research with the Type 1 diabetes community, including workshops, interviews, and consultations with diabetes psychologists, family and friends within this community as well as much secondary research and analysis of the market.

The research revealed complex emotional and physical challenges including childhood fears and discomfort, needle phobia, transition difficulties, diabetes burnout, skin reactions, inaccessible injection sites, pain and discomfort—amongst many other issues discovered throughout the process. HYLOW directly addresses these barriers to make the diabetes journey more comfortable and manageable for various ages.

Products were continuously tested and refined through feedback from both the diabetes community and general public.

Developmental Sketches

Ideation and development sketches of the injector and inner areas

CAD Modelling and Development

Hylow shield from below attached to the injector.

Physical Making Process

Casting the main body - it is covered in silicone.

Moulding - Casting the main body in purple.

Initial Form of the injector in silicone

Developing the form of the injector through clay.

The Process Description

Extensive 3D printing with PLA and resin ensured high-quality finish and accuracy and constant ability to test concepts, making to ensure all parts function as intended.

Key technical innovations included but not limited to:

Fluid dynamics engineering to redirect insulin flow, changing injection angle from straight-on to sideways

Silicone casting and mould making for flexible, comfortable-touch components

Manufacturing consideration designed for injection moulding feasibility

Resin Print of the attachment - still with support.

Interaction Demonstration

This video showcases how the collection functions and would be used through functional prototypes.

This video acts as a demonstration and contains the final design collection with some designs remaining in the process of refinement within the video.

Personal Bio

Viktoria is a product and industrial designer who thrives when solving complex challenges that improve quality of life. With an empathetic approach and meticulous attention to detail thorough research, she creates intuitive products that make everyday experiences more comfortable and rewarding. What distinguishes her work is the seamless balance between functionality and emotional consideration—designing not just for what people need, but how they want to feel while using it.

Viktoria Simon with red hair and black smart long sleeved top on a grey background.

Awards

Th Edinburgh Award (ECA Community Engagement) - (April 2025)

Skills & Experience

General Student Technician at Ucreate Makerspace, (April - July 2025)
The CAHSS Awards Product Designer, (January - May 2024)
Skills: CAD, CAM, Technical Drawing Production, 3D printing, Casting and Mould making, Wood Working, Metal working, Glass working, Soldering and Engraving, C++ Coding, Electronics, Laser Cutting, Product Design Engineering and more.