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

Log-inLog-in

Kid Parent / SantaMake

Wishlist

HouseLocator

Good %Check

WishlistCheck

HouseAproval

Good %Edit

GOOD

BAD Parent gives examples of ways to raise good status- Chores- Good manners

Parent posts GOOD thing that child does+ good %

Parent posts BAD thing that child does- good %

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

Parent / Santa sends message back that says that it has been recived

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

Santa Mail Model

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

025Reset Back

Score

PleaseScan your target to begin playing

025RESET BACK

Score

Scan

Bank

Laser Tag

Up Arrow

Enter

Down Arrow

Scan

SelectedSCANNER

000RESET BACK

Score

001RESET BACK

Score

Each Kid wears a bar code on their chest.

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.

Scan Model

BACK

Money Now $2.66

Money Spent $55.22

Scan

Bank

Laser Tag

Ninja Man

Monster Truck

Teck Deck

Malabu Barbie

$9.99

$9.99

$9.99

$9.99

Up Arrow

Enter

Down Arrow

Scan

Ninja Man

Monster Truck

Teck Deck

Malabu Barbie

$9.99

$9.99

$9.99

$9.99

Legos

BUY

DELETE

BACK

$9.99

SCANNER

Buy It

Money Now $12.65Ninja Man - $9.99

Ninja Man $2.66

Not Now

BACK

Money Now $12.65

Money Spent $45.23

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.

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 RaymondIntern applicant