Eli Mikiten
BFA in Product Design, 2025
Capstone Project: Axon
Eli is an industrial designer with a passion for inclusive, user-centered products. Drawing from personal experience with a weak bone condition, he focuses on assistive and adaptive design that balances function and elegance. With a background in architecture, Eli blends technical precision, storytelling, and empathy to create meaningful solutions across physical and digital spaces. He was selected to represent the University of Oregon Product Design program in the IDSA Student Merit Awards. Outside of design, Eli enjoys photography, cycling, hiking, cooking, and creative projects that merge form and function.
Axon is a modular electric-assist system designed to enhance independence and reduce upper body strain for manual wheelchair users. By sensing natural pressure on the wheel rims, Axon delivers a smooth, synchronized power boost that supports rather than replaces the rider’s movement. Its compact design integrates seamlessly with most manual chairs, while removable batteries keep the system lightweight and easy to manage. Axon empowers users to travel farther with less fatigue, maintaining the physical benefits and control of manual propulsion while offering needed assistance on inclines, long distances, or daily commutes. Freedom, flexibility, and function—on the rider’s terms.
