Saloni Bedi, IDSA, an industrial designer at Loft Design Studio and an alumna of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), led a team at MIT in developing APT (Accessible Pregnancy Tests), a groundbreaking solution designed to cater to the needs of individuals with vision impairments.
Saloni led a team of four women in designing APT, which has garnered significant industry recognition. The project received accolades including the US National Runner-Up at the James Dyson Award 2022, the C-IDEA Silver Award, and the IF Design Student Award 2023.
APT revolutionizes the pregnancy testing experience by providing a means for individuals with vision impairments to independently and privately use the test through tactile feedback.
The design process was rooted in human-centered methodologies, with extensive engagement with visually impaired communities and accessibility experts. This empathetic approach led to a pregnancy test that maintains the simplicity of conventional tests while ensuring accessibility for all users.
Saloni’s journey in design extends beyond APT. Her time at MIT involved diverse projects, from inclusive space design to measuring the body’s hydration levels. Her ethos revolves around products evolving with users and catering to their evolving needs, championing empathetic and functional design solutions.
As an active member of the IDSA community, Saloni has found a supportive network that transcends geographical boundaries. The Boston chapter provided a platform to showcase her work, amplifying her professional visibility on social media platforms and enabling connections with designers worldwide.
Saloni credits IDSA for enriching her journey and providing a springboard for her accomplishments. She views IDSA as “a powerful place to connect and meet designers from different walks of life.”
"Beyond Boston, I've actively participated in online events organized by other IDSA chapters, consistently leaving inspired by the wealth of insights and connections within the industrial design community!"
About Saloni
Currently, an industrial designer at Loft Design Studio, Saloni obtained her master’s degree from MIT where she saw how the design process can be a key component to bringing state-of-the-art solutions to life. Her work at MIT ranged from conducting user research in zero gravity to make space more inclusive at the Media Lab, developing accessible pregnancy tests for people with vision impairments at the IDM program, and measuring the body’s hydration levels at the Gray lab, IMES.
In her research and design work, Saloni (@saloni.bedi) believes that products aren’t discarded because they have no value; rather, they’re replaced because they fail to keep up with people and their needs. This realization has led her to focus on developing products and experiences that evolve with the user while remaining empathetic to how they can improve lives. As an industrial designer, Saloni is passionate about bringing together design, engineering, and business to tackle some of the most pressing challenges around us.
Originating from India, Saloni’s work has been recognized through accolades by iF Design award, James Dyson, C-IDEA award, Samsung Design Prize, and she holds multiple patents for the products she has helped develop.