Who is Primus Medical
A company focused in the long term care medical industry; I joined Primus in 2010 as a Graphic Designer faced with a new set of challenges fresh from the automotive world I was used to. I was quickly promoted to the position of Creative Director; overseeing all marketing, multi media, web design and product sales. Over the course of over four years, I have helped a company with very little presence become a now national staple in the long term care industry. 2015 saw the acquisition by Drive Medical and continued to fund growth. Projects ranged from full trade show exhibit design, new product development and ideation design, driving sales campaigns, product photography and operational manuals, to instructional video production and web management. Trained in basic FDA Quality Systems process, I became versed in document control and regulation, along with experience in SOP, WI and Product Inspection procedures.
Primus Medical is a long term care and bariatric product development,
manufacturing and distribution company.
Primus Medical is a long term care and bariatric product development, manufacturing and distribution company. Long term care referring to extended stay products developed for hospital patients, residents of nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities, and sanctions such as hospice programs in which individuals require high quality care products.
Based out of the Boardman, Ohio area, Primus has served the immediate community under different names for the past 20 years. In early 2009, the business was re branded as Primus Medical. I joined the operations in 2010 to help bring Primus to the national level of product sales and promotion. Through two stages of re branding, I have solely driven the marketing end of Primus Medical to achieve the goals it has reached today. Starting with nothing but a bi-fold piece of literature; I have
photographed, edited, built brochures, presentations and marketing presentations around every product. To include trade show displays, web media, video presentations, new product development, instructional manuals, packaging, quality management and document control procedures.
Leading towards the future
As the Creative Director for Primus Medical. I oversaw all printed literature, co-branding and promotional items. Shown are some brief samples of my work. All print media was laid out in a uniform fashion based upon the Primus Medical Branding and Design document that I had written. This document allowed for a regulated constant in product placement, specified color models and logo sizing. The document spanned all printed media and also included guidelines for product labeling and logo art.
Aesthetics were kept clean, simple, and repetitive to promote the branding.
Shown above are some samples of various instructional or sales sheets. I did a good amount of custom branding for vendors carrying our products. As for our own products, each was represented with a multitude of images, graphic specifications, and associated supporting art. There are hundreds to show. Aesthetics were kept clean, simple, and repetitive to promote the branding.
Breakthrough Product Development
One project I worked closely with our engineering team on was the Freedom Rise bed chair. The idea of this product was to offer a home-use solution to the need of a secondary person when getting in and out of bed for those who require assistance. The product sold as a bed, converts to an upright chair and delivers a standing final position to the end user. A simple two button remote ensured ease of use.
Although the final variant strayed from the original concepts aesthetically, the function remained and the costs were adhered to. Once inception was breached, I worked on constructing a dedicated website for the product, an instructional video for home setup and various literature and promotional display pieces.
Taking part in a product that helps to improve the
quality of life when individuals need it most has been a rewarding experience, knowing what you do makes a direct difference in peoples lives.
Web and trade show promotional media helped to grow a national consumer base that has enjoyed great success. Taking part in a product that helps to improve the
quality of life when individuals need it most has been a rewarding experience, knowing what you do makes a direct difference in peoples lives.
These initial concept sketches were drawn over our proof of concept model. We had wanted to capture a user friendly design that didn’t look overly out of place in a home setting. This was supposed to mimic a piece of furniture versus hospital equipment.Various concept studies were explored upon for both traditional and modern looks. Key features were considered from a cost based perspective.
To compliment later designs; ideation was developed around built in bed chair accessories. These included built in arm rests, removable body and trim pieces on a
modular unit, ambient lighting, fixed touch pad remote systems and a collapsible over the bed table for those who were to be extended length users of the product.
Design should always be directed at improving a product function and the end user experience.
Although the final design of the initial Freedom Rise bed chair was forced to be very minimal, utilizing existing product tooling; the exploration opened up options that could potentially be used in a later version and tested well during demographic studies.
Design should always be directed at improving a product function and the end user experience. A higher end version 2.0 would likely see more concept come to feasibility.
Creating Large Industry Presence from a Small Footprint
Web and social media campaigns helped to drive Primus Medical to where we are today. A comprehensive website featured weekly product blog updates, corporate show scheduling, downloadable product content, owners manuals, and replacement part guides.
Products are broken up by section and are easy to navigate with simple design elements for a clean yet structured look. Each featured item has a corresponding high resolution sales sheet that can be saved in PDF form. A straightforward approach that communicates product knowledge directly to near any user.
Trade shows represent a large portion of inter industry communication and new business relationships. As most people are drawn in by first impressions; it is
imperative to Primus Medical that our displays are immediately engaging to the viewer.
Every element is a crucial advantage to success.
Shown here is our latest X-snap display that allows new elements of depth and tension to the viewing surface. Although we also have twin large booth displays, this can be easily transported and assembled in minutes. Decisions like this make the difference between making elaborate sales presentations a burden and an optimized, effective presentation, allowing a stand out sales pitch. In this business you are defined by how you are represented.
Every element is a crucial advantage to success.
Proven Success
By 2014, Primus Medical had become so prominent despite its physical size, that it was bought out by Drive Medical; a large firm out of the New York area. Unfortunately this meant the disbanding of portions of the business and the absolving into their own branding structure. Still, none of this would have been possible without professional, exacting marketing and web presence.