Ella Matthews
I am a hands-on designer, passionate about research-led, human-centred design, creating products and services that respond to real-world challenges and improve everyday experiences.
Around 80% of UK care home residents live with dementia, with many experiencing memory loss, reduced dexterity and difficulties completing multi-step tasks. Alongside this, poor oral health is highly prevalent in care homes, with over half of residents experiencing untreated tooth decay. Declining oral hygiene has been linked to pain, infection, malnutrition and reduced quality of life, with growing evidence suggesting poor oral health may contribute to faster cognitive decline and the progression of dementia.
ORIN aims to improve the oral care experience for people living with dementia in care homes by supporting independent brushing through guided prompts, intuitive interaction and routine reinforcement. Combined with behavioural monitoring and carer insights, ORIN helps reduce cognitive load, preserve dignity and independence, while enabling carers to identify when additional support may be needed.
ORIN is designed to adapt to the changing needs of people living with dementia, supporting independent oral care while reducing cognitive load. The system combines a smart manual toothbrush with a wall-mounted charging base featuring optional audio guidance, personalised music and gentle visual prompts, all tailored through a connected carer app. Interchangeable brush heads in soft, medium and firm options enable personalised oral care, while brushing behaviours are tracked over time, allowing support to be adjusted as needs change and intervention provided only when necessary.
Health monitoring often happens during moments of stress and uncertainty, yet most thermometers are designed as clinical, disposable tools. With 67% of people reporting anxiety around health interactions, and illness concerns increasing since COVID-19, there is an opportunity to redesign healthcare products around comfort, trust, and reassurance, not just function.
This forehead thermometer reimagines temperature monitoring as a calmer experience. Combining quiet luxury principles, premium materials, and a softer, non-clinical form, it reduces anxiety during use while maintaining precision. Activated through a sliding mechanism with infrared sensing technology, it transforms a medical device into an object of care designed for long-term ownership.
Polar Bear Design Ltd – 2024/2025
During my industry placement at Polar Bear Design Ltd, I contributed to a range of internal and client-facing projects spanning research, concept development, and product refinement. Working within a multidisciplinary design consultancy enabled me to develop a broad skill set, including proficiency in Adobe software and SolidWorks, as well as advanced CMF development. Alongside technical growth, I strengthened my professional communication skills through engagement with industry specialists, attendance at design events, and exposure to diverse perspectives and emerging trends, further developing my understanding of the luxury home technology sector.