Vibrators have been such a popular gadget that nineteenth century inventors turned them into one of the first electrified devices in history. Today, they've become so mainstream that you can even buy them at Target. But for Ti Chang, our guest on this month's Ars Technica Live, vibrators are an industrial design challenge.

As the VP of design at Crave, Chang is responsible for the creation and manufacturing of the most intimate device you're likely to buy. She handles everything from CAD drawings to coordinating with engineers in San Francisco and manufacturers in China. Plus, she actually listens to users. Ars staffers Annalee Newitz and Cyrus Farivar talked to her about her fascinating career in hardware design. You can watch the video or listen to the podcast. (Yes, it's all safe for work! We were talking about vibrators, not using them.)

Chang gave us insight into a design process that's all about giving women what they want, from first ideas to assembly and user feedback. She also explained how to work with hardware manufacturers in China (it helps to speak Mandarin or have a translator), how to crowdfund and sell a device that's sometimes hard to advertise, and what it takes to be an engineer-centric designer who builds to the tech that's available and not the other way around. We also found out that lots of people want to sign up as beta testers for Crave's new products. It's a terrifically interesting conversation with lots of good questions from the audience, and we only made a few really terrible jokes. Check it out!

Additionally, don't forget to come to the next Ars Technica Live at Longitude bar in Oakland, California, on February 15.

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