Sean Hägen, FIDSA
Sean obtained his Bachelor of Science in Product Design from The Ohio State University’s Industrial Design program, complemented by a minor in Human Factors Engineering. His professional journey spanned over three decades, encompassing design research and product development across diverse sectors including transportation (boats, yachts, and executive aircraft), emergency management center workstations, mission-critical ruggedized electronics, medical devices, and graphic user interfaces.
After founding BlackHägen Design, Inc. (BH) in 1995, Sean directed design research and usability design initiatives across twenty countries in both institutional and home settings. His primary focus at BH involved overseeing user research usability engineering and product development synthesis phases, encompassing usability testing, user-centered innovation approaches, and defining user requirements for product specifications.
Sean’s professional design career was enhanced by his dedication to education and knowledge sharing through presentations and training sessions. During his two-term service on the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Board of Directors as Vice President of Special Interest Sections, he guided the organization in creating professional development strategies and educational initiatives.
Upon reaching his board term limit, Sean launched the Patient Safety Taskforce, leading to a collaborative initiative with healthcare industry stakeholders, government bodies, manufacturers, and regulators to address the concerning rate of preventable deaths in healthcare. Through the IDSA Design Foundation, he gathered support and resources to develop methodologies targeting the patient safety crisis.
A notable achievement was his creation and implementation of the IDSA Medical Design Conference. These events provided medical design professionals with comprehensive exposure to the extensive knowledge, methodologies, and expertise required in healthcare industry design. The event featured lectures, panels, and workshops, uniting corporate professionals, consultants, clinicians, and educators to share insights and advance industry standards. A distinctive feature included workshops in advanced medical simulation facilities. Sean served as lead instructor for these contextual inquiry sessions over six years, covering OR, ICU, and Cath Lab environments, establishing an enduring educational framework for future medical technology designers.
In early 2023, Sean’s sudden departure after a short illness deeply affected his beloved spouse, Karen “KZ,” friends and family, and the BH group. Looking back at Sean’s impact and achievements brings immense grief as we honor a remarkable and exceptional person who touched many hearts. Sean personified innovative guidance, design mastery, and was a crucial part of the BlackHägen Team.
His career accomplishments improved our society and enhanced the caliber of products he shaped, as acknowledged through his selection as a Fellow of the Industrial Design Society of America, joining an exclusive circle of only 182 Fellows across 57 years.
KZ had the privilege to receive this esteemed recognition on her late husband’s behalf in August of 2023. Please follow the link below to witness Sean’s well-earned tribute.