Peeka

Industrial Design

OVERVIEW

This was a project for Mobi when I was a part of the Klugonyx team.
The story of this project originated from an idea to create a developmental mirror, with a focus on self-discovery, motor-skills, tactility and cause & effect.

BRIEF

The product needed to be a cognitive device that catered to babies ages of 0 months to 24 months old.
It needed to inspire self-discovery.
It needed to be easy to hold.
It needed to be fun & safe.
Product needed to meet standards & regulations.

ROLE

Industrial Designer

TEAM

Engineer - EdConsultants - Aaron & JasonIndustrial Designer - Henry

TOOLS

Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesignProcreatePhysical Prototyping Supplies 3D Printer Fusion 360

Product designed, engineered and produced by Klugonyx and Onyx 360, a Klugonyx company.

Research

MOBI

With an established brand, Mobi's new developmental mirror needed to fit right into the family of the current product lineup.

THE COMPETITION

As a cognitive product, we needed to dive into what the top 24 toys in this category were. We found out quickly that mirrors are a huge part of this category of toys. This meant we needed to come up with something that stands out, not only visually, but also as a feature driven solution.

INTERACTIVE MATERIALS

I started looking at tablet and phone cases meant for children. These were an inspiration to the final design of the developmental mirror. The main reason for this inspiration was the soft materials and the fact that electronics such as tablets and phones, have such an appeal.

First Phase of Ideation

Diving into the form, we didn't want to limit ourselves and really think outside the box on this one - ultimately we wanted to have fun and let our imagination do it's thing...

Second Phase of Ideation

MOVING FAST

After we our first round of ideas, I quickly began to put a few concepts together thanks to the client's feedback - the idea of the mirror resembling a tablet really resonated with the client.

As a cognitive developmental device, I wanted to experiment with textures and moving components.

The sliding Tug-Toy Beads made these iterations compelling.

This last iteration in Phase Two was the weakest link. The device is too abstract and "techy" feel for a 0 to 24 month old child.

BACK ATTACHMENT

An idea of a Pop Socket came about in the midst of this second phase. This would offer grip and perhaps be used as a stand for the developmental mirror.

Phase Three of Ideation

COMPOSING A FORM

Post second phase of ideation, I began to compose a form that paralleled a product also currently in development at that time at Klugonyx, the Mobi Zippee.

We explored the idea of the Pop Socket on the back, with a retractable version. The issue with this idea was the inability to completely retract the pop socket, making it unable to lay flat on a table.

Mirror dimensions were being established in this phase, making the width 6" x 3.65" in height.

Textures, textures and more textures.

Started to develop a color pallet that reflected Mobi's brand.

Phase Four of Ideation

NARROWING IT DOWN

With feedback on the look we developed in Phase Three, I needed to soften the look of the developmental mirror - this being my favorite solution of the bunch.

Instead of the pop-socket, we came up with the idea of a "kick-stand" for the bottom tubbing component so the mirror could stand and lay flat if desired.

Iteration A

Iteration B

This iteration consisted of the idea of a tablet-like experience.

Iteration C

Minimizing materials was something that needed to be addressed - this iteration helped that cause the most.

Phase Five of Ideation

GOT IT

Listening to the feedback from the client, Iteration B was ultimately the direction Mobi wanted to pursue for their developmental mirror, with the refinement of rounded handles.

The last step was to choose a color option. Initially, we wanted a selection of three colors in total, but through discussions with manufacturing and material cost and shear simplicity for the parents to choose on a color option, we decided one color option would be best.