Problem
Most 3D printers were not natively connected to the internet, making remote monitoring, file management, and workflow automation difficult or impossible. Users relied on SD cards, direct USB connections, or vendor specific software, which created fragmented experiences and limited the scalability of 3D printing beyond a single machine or location. AstroPrint needed a reliable, easy to use IoT solution that could bridge physical printers and cloud based software while remaining accessible to both hobbyists and professional users.
Solution
AstroBox is a family of IoT hardware devices designed to connect 3D printers to the AstroPrint cloud, enabling remote management, monitoring, and control through a web based platform. The product line includes AstroBox Gateway and AstroBox Touch, supporting different user needs and interaction models.
AstroBox Gateway provides a headless connection layer, allowing users to manage printers remotely without direct physical interaction. AstroBox Touch introduces an integrated touchscreen interface, enabling on device control alongside cloud based workflows. Together, the devices create a seamless bridge between physical hardware and digital software, unlocking networked 3D printing across environments.
My Role
I led UX and UI design for the embedded software powering AstroBox Gateway and AstroBox Touch, designing interfaces that balanced the constraints of hardware, touch interaction, and real time device feedback. I worked closely with engineering on hardware and software testing to ensure reliability, usability, and performance across printer models and use cases.
In addition to embedded UX, I contributed to the industrial product experience through hardware design input and packaging design, ensuring the physical product reflected the quality and clarity of the software experience. I also led the visual design, marketing videos, animations, and web advertising for two Kickstarter campaigns, each of which was fully funded within 24 hours. These campaigns played a key role in validating demand, funding development, and successfully launching new versions of the AstroBox to market.
