Interaction Design with Mike Roy In this class we had one project, and that was to create a device to solve a problem in everyday life. My initial idea was to create a Santa Locator for kids that are away from home during Christmas. This project went through a string of serious changes before landing on my final idea.
Idea Progression The idea went from being the Santa Locator and then moved on to a web site with an ability to e-mail Santa, make a wish list and check your naughty nice percentage. It would have to be a solid collaboration between parent and child. This proved to be far too difficult to keep a child interested.
Santa Mail Model Santa Mail Good % Check
Parent posts GOOD thing that child does + good %
GOOD
BAD
Parent gives examples of ways to raise good status - Chores - Good manners
Good % Edit
Parent posts BAD thing that child does - good %
Kid Log-in
Parent / Santa Make Wishlist
Wishlist Check
With help from parents if kid is too young to write: - Kid makes wishlist and sends list to Santa Parent / Santa sends message back that says that it has been recived
House Locator
With help from parents if kid doesn’t know address - Kid writes address of where they are going to be christmass day and sends list to Santa
House Aproval Parent / Santa sends message back that says that it has been recived
Log-in
Back to a Device After the disaster with the Santa mail project, I was already tired of Christmas. The failure gave me a chance to launch into a new type of product that could help kids become smarter consumers. First I needed to think about kids and what would make this device fun for them.
Wearing the Device After refining my idea, Mike Roy was able to organize a trip with his Niece and Nephew. To gather really vital research we visited the Denver Children’s Museum to experience children’s interaction with interesting contraptions. After this visit I came to the conclusion that the child would want to wear this device, and after a few ideas I landed on wearing on the wrist. Like this device but much smaller.
Modeling the Device
Game Model Each Kid wears a bar code on their chest.
Up Arrow Enter Down Arrow
Scan Scan
SCANNER
Bank
Selected
Laser Tag
025 RESET
After they press reset, they must scan their own code. After they scan their own it can not be scanned again. Once every one scans themselves they can start playing.
Score
BACK
025
Score
Please
Scan your target to begin playing
Reset
Back
001 RESET
Score
BACK
000 RESET
Score
BACK
Scan Model The child can scan a code at a store at any time on any screen, except the laser tag menu, and it will be saved. Up Arrow Enter Down Arrow
Scan Scan
SCANNER
Bank Laser Tag Money Now
$12.65
Money Spent
$45.23
BACK
Money Now Money Spent
BACK
$2.66 $55.22
Money Now Ninja Man Ninja Man
Buy It
$12.65 - $9.99 $2.66
Not Now
Ninja Man
$9.99
Monster Truck
$9.99
Teck Deck
$9.99
Malabu Barbie
$9.99
Ninja Man
$9.99
Monster Truck
$9.99
Teck Deck
$9.99
Malabu Barbie
$9.99
Legos
$9.99
BUY DELETE BACK
Physical Model After modeling out all the functions and windows, the next step is to build the physical model and test it in a scenario.
I built the initial scale dummy out of an old Granola bar box, because it’s thin and bend able, but also strong.
Further Refinement Wearing the device and acting out the functions makes sure that the button layout works.
Final Product
End Goal This project was aimed toward helping children spend their money wisely, with out them having to sit through a math class. I found that there are no products like this that are aimed toward children. If I can make saving money a game, I think that it will help a future generation to not be gluttonous. Alex Sawyer Raymond Intern applicant