VitaTalk Ep. 19

elliebecker35
Aug 18
2 min read

In a recent episode of VitaTalk, host Eli Rehmann sat down with Luke Kauffman, one of VitaTek’s industrial designers, to talk about his unconventional career path, his evolving animation skills, and the role of visualization in accelerating medical device innovation.

From Uncertain Start to Design Discovery

Luke didn’t follow a straight line into the design world. After high school burnout, he took time off before enrolling in community college. Initially drawn to engineering, he realized the mathematical side wasn’t his strength and shifted toward design, specifically industrial design, where he could blend creativity with problem-solving.

His path to VitaTek came through a classmate, now colleague, who posted a job opening. That connection led to a two-month interview process, and in October, Luke officially joined the team.

Finding His “Superpower”

At VitaTek, Luke quickly discovered his unique contribution: animation. Initially unfamiliar with advanced animation tools, he dove in when the team acquired the Zygote Anatomy Model, a fully anatomically correct digital human model. Transitioning from KeyShot to Blender was no small feat, but Luke embraced the challenge.

“Setup is 80% of the work,” he says, explaining that the real magic happens once lighting, textures, and models are in place. His animations now help clients visualize complex device functions, turning abstract ideas into tangible, understandable visuals.

Why Animation Matters in MedTech

For early-stage medical device companies, communicating a product’s value can be the difference between landing investors and stalling out. As Luke explains, “A 20-second animation can do more than 10 minutes of verbal explanation.”

These visuals aren’t just for investor pitches, they also shine in marketing. Whether it’s an instructional breakdown of functionality or a sleek “hero shot” for a trade show booth, animation provides a versatile storytelling tool that bridges technical complexity and audience understanding.

AI’s Role in the Future of Animation

When asked about artificial intelligence, Luke sees it more as a complementary tool than a threat. While AI might streamline parts of the workflow, he believes human creativity and polish will remain essential. “Once you take the human out of design, you’re just copying,” he says.

Advice for New Graduates in Design and Engineering

Luke offers two core pieces of advice for those entering the field:

Be patient – “Don’t stress too much about getting the perfect job right away. It takes time.”
Network relentlessly – Connections can open unexpected doors. “Even if it doesn’t lead anywhere, you’ll learn something and meet incredible people.”

He encourages new grads to tap into their personal networks, even reaching out to contacts they haven’t spoken to in years, because you never know who might have the right connection.

The Takeaway

Luke’s story is a testament to persistence, adaptability, and the power of combining creativity with technical skill. At VitaTek, his animations are doing more than just looking good, they’re helping turn innovative medical device concepts into reality, one frame at a time.

🩺 Interested in learning more about life at VitaTek or how we’re reshaping the medical device space? Stay tuned for more episodes of the VitaTalk Podcast!

Stay tuned for more episodes and updates, because the best ideas in healthcare are just getting started.