KIDS IN THE KITCHENA Project Concept Note by Alexandra Blischke

10 Dec 2010 with Karen Brown and Jamie Faulkner

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

The brief.

2. PROJECT PLAN

Outline of the main tasks.

3. RESEARCH

Defining the market, competitors and user.

4. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Defining the product.

5. PRODUCT FINALISATION

Finalizing the design.

1

INTRODUCTION

THE BRIEF

Salter Housewares require ideas and visual concepts for a new electronic kitchen scale to complement the recently launched SALTER ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ product range. This document will demonstrate the approach that will be taken towards achieving this task.

THE RANGE

The ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ range has been designed for children to use in the kitchen, so that they can have fun cooking while learning about measures and numbers

TARGET CUSTOMER

The ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ range is aimed towards children 6+, however must appeal to the parent to buy for their children.

2

PROJECT PLAN

3

RESEARCH

1. MARKET + COMPETITOR RESEARCH

- Existing products - Trends

Modern Colourful Designed for Children

4

USER RESEARCH

1. QUESTIONNAIRES

2. INTERVIEWS

- Schools - Teachers - Parents - Children

5

SUE THOMSON, PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER, UKScales should have smaller amounts as children don’t need to weigh that much. Clear and bold numbers. I prefer old fashioned weights as the children can then relate the weight to the feeling of the weight. Stable base is essential, perhaps metal. Colourful. Glass bowl (transparant) would be good to see the contents. Must be failure proof as children are easily discouraged!

ANDREA FRANKE, MOTHER, GERMANYA pink version for girls would be great. A broad base is important, perhaps handles for little hands. A funny face could be nice too.

ANNA & LISA HEUSER (with Mother), AGE 10, GERMANYThis scale looks like it might topple over. The bowl looks too small too. I would like handles so it will be easier to hold. The bowl should also have pouring opening at the top. Rubber details would be good in case I drop it. I’d like bigger numbers and dials.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS contact EILA HUUTUNEN, SWEDENThe children wanted a yellow bowl instead of white. They thought it was a clock. They would have preferred orange colour on the dials.

USER RESEARCH

4. USER CLINICS

HOLLY, AGE 10

OBSERVATIONS

Mechanical Scale: Too high up, difficult to reach the bowl. Found it difficult to see the small numbers. Needed guidance to dual representation of ounces and grams (which was which). Bowl didn’t fit in the top part of the scale, caused instability.

Electronic Scale: Easier to use as the display was clearer and change in weight shown more precise (weight was added in small increments). Small buttons were difficult to recognize. Zero feature not clear. Bowl was steady on the flat surface.

6

USER PROFILING

1. DEFINING THE GENERIC TARGET USER

(+ PARENTS)

-DEMOGRAPHICS

Age, family status, country of residence.

- PHSYCHOGRAPHICS

What are their motivations, thoughts?

- MOTIVATIONS & ASPIRATIONS

What are their interests, hobbies and what do they aspire to?

- CURRENT PRODUCT

What is their current scale, what do they want next?

- STYLING WANTS

Colours, trends and materials.

7

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

1. PDS

2. INITIAL IDEAS

- Rough sketching - Brainstorming - Design reviews

8

INITIAL IDEAS

9

INITIAL IDEAS

10

+ =

100Grams

100Grams

100Grams

IDEA DEVELOPMENT

1. DEVELOP 2-3 DESIGNS FROM INITIAL IDEAS

2. DETERMINE SPECIFICS:

- CAD - Materials - Measurements - Contact manufacturers/factories

3. PROTOTYPING + USER TESTING:

- Prototype 2-3 designs for user clinics

4. FINAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

- Tweaks in design to reduce costs

5. FINAL PROTOTYPE

11

SILICONEOvermoulding the top part of the scale with silicone will provide grip and a dash of colour. Its luxurious feel will also add to the weighing experience.