About Us

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About Us

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Inspired by friends and family, Miranda set up the aptly named Inspired Usability in 2016 with an exciting vision – to create a company and working environment in which flexibility was inherent. Having two children, Miranda understood the importance of designing a business around life, rather than sticking to a regimented 9 to 5 workday.

Flexibility has been key to the success at Inspired Usability.

We are light on our feet and can respond to our client’s needs quickly and proactively, but it also means that as a team, we don’t miss out on important moments in our family’s lives.

One of Miranda’s female inspirations is Terri Apter (aka her mum) who recently conducted some interesting research ; discovering the biases that females between the ages of 27 and 44 are subject to in the workplace:

‘Women who took advantage of job flexibility, or who had taken a career break… [took]up to 6 years to return to the level they had been at before the career break.’

Conscious of this penalty faced by women, Inspired Usability was born and continues to grow with employees who are highly appreciative and support its philosophy.

Inspired by friends and family, Miranda set up the aptly named Inspired Usability in 2016 with an exciting vision – to create a company and working environment in which flexibility was inherent. Having two children, Miranda understood the importance of designing a business around life, rather than sticking to a regimented 9 to 5 workday.

Flexibility has been key to the success at Inspired Usability.

We are light on our feet and can respond to our client’s needs quickly and proactively, but it also means that as a team, we don’t miss out on important moments in our family’s lives.

One of Miranda’s female inspirations is Terri Apter (aka her mum) who recently conducted some interesting research ; discovering the biases that females between the ages of 27 and 44 are subject to in the workplace:

‘Women who took advantage of job flexibility, or who had taken a career break… [took]up to 6 years to return to the level they had been at before the career break.’

Conscious of this penalty faced by women, Inspired Usability was born and continues to grow with employees who are highly appreciative and support its philosophy.

What we do

Inspired Usability’s goal is to help the medical device and pharmaceutical industry go beyond the regulatory Human Factors requirements and create truly inspirational products.

Inspired Usability has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF) as a “registered consultancy”.

According to the CIEHF “All consultancies listed in this directory (i.e. registered) have gone through a rigorous process of accreditation by the CIEHF. You can be assured that any consultancy listed here has qualified staff and a track record of delivering high quality work to their clients”.

At Inspired Usability we combine our knowledge of product development and Human Factors regulations with a sensitive and creative approach.

Using a range of Human Factors methods we apply experienced insight and rigour to inform the design process and create fully regulation compliant medical devices and submission files that delight the people using them. We have experience with a range of drug delivery devices, hospital based medical devices, surgical equipment, smart devices, apps, wearables and consumer health products.

Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF)
Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF)

What we do

Inspired Usability’s goal is to help the medical device and pharmaceutical industry go beyond the regulatory Human Factors requirements and create truly inspirational products.

Inspired Usability has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF) as a “registered consultancy”.

According to the CIEHF “All consultancies listed in this directory (i.e. registered) have gone through a rigorous process of accreditation by the CIEHF. You can be assured that any consultancy listed here has qualified staff and a track record of delivering high quality work to their clients”.

At Inspired Usability we combine our knowledge of product development and Human Factors regulations with a sensitive and creative approach.

Using a range of Human Factors methods we apply experienced insight and rigour to inform the design process and create fully regulation compliant medical devices and submission files that delight the people using them. We have experience with a range of drug delivery devices, hospital based medical devices, surgical equipment, smart devices, apps, wearables and consumer health products.

Miranda Newbery

Our Team

Miranda Newbery – C.Erg.HF, MA, MEng – Founder & Director

Miranda Newbery is a creative Human Factors and user research consultant with over 10 years’ product development experience. Miranda firmly believes in putting the user at the heart of the design process and combines her expertise in medical devices, Human Factors regulations, design and user research to creatively identify unmet needs. She has a wealth of experience in combination drug delivery devices.

Miranda originally studied Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge University and Industrial Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art. She is a chartered ergonomist with the CIEHF. Miranda previously worked as the lead Human Factors consultant at PA Consulting and The Technology Partnership in Cambridge, UK. She also runs the Medical Human Factors Network, UK, which is a networking group for Human Factors professionals in the UK.

When not interviewing for user studies or writing Human Factors documentation, Miranda likes to Crossfit and yoga or the occasional wild swim in the Nidd. She also enjoys learning new crafting skills ranging from welding to embroidery.

Connect with Miranda on LinkedIn

CIEHF Accredited

Our Team

Miranda Newbery

Miranda Newbery – C.Erg.HF, MA, MEng – Founder & Director

Miranda Newbery is a creative Human Factors and user research consultant with over 10 years’ product development experience. Miranda firmly believes in putting the user at the heart of the design process and combines her expertise in medical devices, Human Factors regulations, design and user research to creatively identify unmet needs. She has a wealth of experience in combination drug delivery devices.

Miranda originally studied Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge University and Industrial Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art. She is a chartered ergonomist with the CIEHF. Miranda previously worked as the lead Human Factors consultant at PA Consulting and The Technology Partnership in Cambridge, UK. She also runs the Medical Human Factors Network, UK, which is a networking group for Human Factors professionals in the UK.

When not interviewing for user studies or writing Human Factors documentation, Miranda likes to Crossfit and yoga or the occasional wild swim in the Nidd. She also enjoys learning new crafting skills ranging from welding to embroidery.

Connect with Miranda on LinkedIn

Marie Clegg – Human Factors Consultant

Marie joined Inspired Usability in 2020, bringing with her a background in project management and a wealth of experience conducting usability and readability studies in the UK, EU and US. Marie has overseen the testing of a range of medical devices for the delivery of new vaccines and drugs as well as Patient Information Leaflets, Instructions for Use and Risk Minimisation Materials. She now plays a pivotal role in daily operations and the running of Human Factors studies at Inspired Usability.

Having worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 6 years, Marie has a comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements in the UK, EU and US and also user-centred design principles. Combined with a Psychology degree, Marie utilises her skills for the testing, iteration and improvement of the design of medical devices. The end result being a satisfied target user who can use a device safely; the most important outcome of Human Factor studies.

Marie is happiest outdoors and enjoys long hikes in the Yorkshire Dales with her wayward terrier, Ernie. A Vinyasa yoga class is especially appreciated at the moment while she and her partner renovate their house and spend a large amount of time stripping wallpaper and knocking down walls!

Connect with Marie on LinkedIn

Marie Clegg
Marie Clegg

Marie Clegg – Human Factors Consultant

Marie joined Inspired Usability in 2020, bringing with her a background in project management and a wealth of experience conducting usability and readability studies in the UK, EU and US. Marie has overseen the testing of a range of medical devices for the delivery of new vaccines and drugs as well as Patient Information Leaflets, Instructions for Use and Risk Minimisation Materials. She now plays a pivotal role in daily operations and the running of Human Factors studies at Inspired Usability.

Having worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 6 years, Marie has a comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements in the UK, EU and US and also user-centred design principles. Combined with a Psychology degree, Marie utilises her skills for the testing, iteration and improvement of the design of medical devices. The end result being a satisfied target user who can use a device safely; the most important outcome of Human Factor studies.

Marie is happiest outdoors and enjoys long hikes in the Yorkshire Dales with her wayward terrier, Ernie. A Vinyasa yoga class is especially appreciated at the moment while she and her partner renovate their house and spend a large amount of time stripping wallpaper and knocking down walls!

Connect with Marie on LinkedIn

Jennifer Butler – Executive Personal Assistant

Jennifer has worked with the Inspired Usability team since summer 2021 but joined the team on a permanent basis as Personal Assistant to Miranda in January 2022 to help with the day-to-day administrative, financial and operational functions and be on hand to support and assist our clients’ needs.

Jennifer brings over 20 years administrative and Personal Assistant / Office Manager experience across many industries including working over 10 years for the NHS. Jennifer is well placed to support the smooth running of the company and help the business continue to prosper. Highly motivated, with excellent communication skills and a keen eye for detail, Jennifer brings a friendly and professional approach to each day.

In Jennifer’s spare time, she enjoys walks with her dog, taking care of her home and spending time with family and friends. When the sun is shining Jennifer enjoys sunbathing with a podcast or a good book!

Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn

Our Values

Do right by clients, do right by users

  • We are not focused on the hard sell
  • We understand your project as a whole and consider pragmatic options, which take into account FDA and EU regulations, project specifics and the needs of our clients and the end user

Create something user focused and design led

  • We are more than Human Factors specialists. We have a wide skill set and are design led, including an engineering degree and background in instructional design
  • We collaborate with a wide network of associates with expertise in UK, US and EU regulation, pharmaceuticals and Human Factors engineers who further inform our design led and user focused approach
  • We are well aware of the challenges users face and how design can impact usability. Being user focused is always at the heart of what we do

Make a difference

  • We advocate for the user and want their voices to be heard
  • We aim to work at the forefront of medical device design
  • We aim to give back and contribute to the local community, through supporting local charities, such as Resurrected Bites and Harrogate Food Bank.

Take a novel approach to working practices

  • We understand that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to working practices – the 9 to 5 no longer dominates
  • We flex and adapt to meet the needs of our clients, responding quickly and proactively

Our Values

Do right by clients, do right by users

  • We are not focused on the hard sell
  • We understand your project as a whole and consider pragmatic options, which take into account FDA and EU regulations, project specifics and the needs of our clients and the end user

Create something user focused and design led

  • We are more than Human Factors specialists. We have a wide skill set and are design led, including an engineering degree and background in instructional design
  • We collaborate with a wide network of associates with expertise in UK, US and EU regulation, pharmaceuticals and Human Factors engineers who further inform our design led and user focused approach
  • We are well aware of the challenges users face and how design can impact usability. Being user focused is always at the heart of what we do

Make a difference

  • We advocate for the user and want their voices to be heard
  • We aim to work at the forefront of medical device design
  • We aim to give back and contribute to the local community, through supporting local charities, such as Resurrected Bites and Harrogate Food Bank.

Take a novel approach to working practices

  • We understand that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to working practices – the 9 to 5 no longer dominates
  • We flex and adapt to meet the needs of our clients, responding quickly and proactively

“Usability is about people and how they understand and use things, not about technology.”

– Steve Krug