The document discusses a design for a children's storage bench with a pirate theme for a classroom. It describes researching similar products available internationally and in the UAE to inform the design. Several potential clients are identified that could benefit from the product, including schools, hospitals, and families with young children. The design aims to provide functional storage while appealing to both boys and girls through its pirate-themed aesthetics.

1. Shanel
le 11Design Task 5 – Child

3. The Year 1 teachers at Dubai British School have asked me to design
and create a piece of children’s furniture that is safe for the children and
can be kept in their classroom. The product should have a
pirate theme. I have chosen to research and design a bench with storage
capacity for children in the specific age group of 3-5. The reason for my
choice is that at this age, children have a lot of playthings, however,
storage space which is easily accessible to the child, is often a challenge.
My aim is to produce an ergonomic design that provides functional and
aesthetic value in addition to arresting the interests of the consumer
through evaluation of their mindset and thorough anthropometric
research. While attractive storage benches are available in other parts of
the world within a reasonable price range, the range of seating
(incorporating storage capacity) for children in my age range, is extremely
scarce in the
UAE. I have found,during my research that the few benches that are
available incorporate colour and are functional to an extent, though
they lack appeal for the specific target audience I have chosen to cater
to, through my design.
I would like my design to be bright, bold and vibrant as well as have a
utility value, which is a feature I have not seen in
the benches available in the local market.

4. Aesthetics: This product has a beautiful
butterfly and floral motif which is aesthetically
pleasing thereby increasing its saleability. The
pretty pink palette, though stereotypical,
remains the colour scheme in highest demand
for little girls within the target age group. Its
excellent finish and polished surfaces add to the
beauty of the product.
Target Audience:
Families with children aged
between 3 and 6.
Primary Schools
Day Care Centres
Parent Teacher Associations
Dimensions:
31” L x 14.5” W x 23” H
Cost: $178.99
Dimensions:
31" L x 15" W x 26" H
Cost: $118.99
These products have a
special slow-closing metal
hinge on the storage lids to
prevent injury to children
when using the products.
No sharp points and
edges.
Safety Features
Function:
Provides seating for
young children.
Storage facility for toys,
clothes etc.
Materials:
Hardwood Plywood has
been used as it has high
strength and durability due to a
higher packed grain. It is cost
effective which is appealing to
the target audience.
High Grade Plastic
My comments: I believe that both designers
have successfully researched the mindset of the
target age group and the products meet their
functionality. The use of softer surface materials
may have enhanced the comfort of the seat.
Products Currently Available
Internationally
Aesthetics: This product is fun and colourful
with an animal theme which will attract its target
audience. It has an interesting backrest
incorporating two spinning ‘jingle bell drums’
which is a unique feature as it helps to keep the
child occupied. A special poem is printed onto the
backrest as well, though this particular feature
may not be completely suitable for the younger
age group, who are still learning to read.

5. Dimensions: 39’’ x 23.2’’ x 21.8’’
Materials: High Grade Plastic
Target Audience: Parents of boys or girls
between the ages of 2 and 8.
Aesthetics: This toy box is very simple
however, has a very large toy storage
capacity. The lid opens easily allowing for kids
to use the product easily and effectively. It is
very easy to keep clean.
Function: Stores the childrens’ possessions.
Safety Features: The lid of the storage box
detaches to prevent the children from
accidentally hurting themselves when using
the product. It has no sharp edges.
Cost: $86.47
Dimensions :39.5” L x 23.5” H x 42.0” W
Materials : Baltic Birch
Target Audience: Primary schools, Paediatric
hospitals, libraries, parents of children
betweend 4 and 7.
Features: The design can be used to optimise
room space as it can occupy a corner. This
product also provides storage space for toys
and books. The seat and backrest are padded
with polyurethane foam making the seating
area comfortable.
Price:USD 700 – This product is priced
considerably higher than other similar
products. The price difference is due to the
usage of Baltic Birch, however, such a product
may suit long term usage such as in a hospital
or library but could possibly be too expensive
for a family whose children will soon outgrow
it.
Products Currently
Available
Internationally

6. Similar Products Available in the
U.A.E.
Price : AED 400
Dimensions:
90 W X 50D X 50 H (cms)
Features :
- Low storage to match a child's
height; makes it easier for them
to reach and organise their
things.
-The product is versatile as the
option of doors or drawers are
available in different colours
allowing for personal taste.
-Stands steady also on an
uneven floor (has adjustable
feet which makes it safe).
Aesthetics: The product is very
plain in it’s overall appearance
and this piece is one of the
more expensive in it’s range.
Price: AED 195
Dimensions: 99W X 54 D
X 36 H (cms)
This product is not
particularly aimed at
young children however,
due to the low height , it
may be used for storage of
children’s toys or clothes.
It has a mid ranged cost
though lacking the kind of
aesthetic appeal required
for children.
Materials used : ABS plastic
which is a strong recyclable
plastic with high impact
resistance , particle board-
(being cheaper, denser and
more uniform than
conventional wood), acrylic
paint and melamine foil to
add aesthetic value.
Price : AED 300
Dimensions:
80 W X 45 D X 42 H
(cms)
Features :
This box is available in
a vibrant yellow . The
treasure chest shape
would be particularly
appealing to little
children.
My comments : During my research I have
noticed that the product I would like to create, is
not readily available in the local market. The
benches available are plain in design and not
aesthetically appealing to the target market.

7. Families with young children:
I think that an aesthetically interesting storage bench would
be ideal for a young child’s bedroom or play area. Little
children have a lot of toys and playthings and families with
young children often struggle with space to store all the
toys as well as trying to keep the home looking tidy. My
product provides storage and the design allows for young
children to be able to reach and access the storage areas
safely and easily. Children love to feel self sufficient and the
product encourages children to learn how to tidy their
own belongings.
The Airline Industry:
The airline industry is a highly competitive
market and modern successful airlines are
quickly learning that to be ahead of the game ,
they need to have a distinct edge over the
competition. Leading aircraft manufacturers,
Boeing and Airbus are developing designs that
include common bar areas, simulated mini golf
and swimming pools on board. However, an area
that I believe is still to be developed are play
areas for children, as little children often find
long plane flights difficult – causing anxiety for
parents as well as other passengers. A small
corner where children can play and sit on their
‘own seat’ for a while would bring a welcome
change. The product could be adapted to the
specifications required for the interiors of an
aircraft.
Client Options
Hospitals:
I believe that paediatric hospitals as
well as maternity wards would be
interested in a toy storage bench as it
would help to provide entertainment
for small children while sitting in
waiting rooms. It would also make the
children feel special as they would
have their own little area to sit in that
was fun and colourful in comparison
to the usual chairs provided for
everyone. I think that it would make a
child’s experience when visiting the
doctor a lot more fun and interesting.
This product would be useful in a
maternity ward as many mothers have
slightly older children who have to stay
at the hospital for the time that they
are there. It would keep the kids
occupied while their parents were
busy. In the children’s ward of a
hospital, I believe this product would
also be widely appreciated by the
young children who are admitted to
hospitals as it would liven up the
rooms and give them something to do.
Primary Schools and Day Care Centres:
I think that primary schools, kindergartens
and day care centres would benefit from
childrens storage benches. It would provide
an aesthetically pleasing storage facility for
all the toys and playthings that they have.
This product would also enhance the look
of the daycare centre or kindergarten as it
would add colour to the room. It allows for
more seating and keeps the children
entertained and happy.

8. The foundation unit would benefit from children’s
storage benches as they would provide an aesthetically
pleasing storage facility for all the toys that the
children use during their school day. My product would
also enhance the look of the foundation classrooms as
it would add more colour to the room. As children of
this age tend to sit on the floor when playing with their
things, my product would be beneficial as it provides a
play mat for a more comfortable play area.
The foundation children are ideal customers for my product as
the product provides them with storage, bright colours and the
pirate theme which would usually only be aimed at little boys,
incorporates a picture of a parrot pirate, thereby making the
product suitable and appealing to little both boys and girls.My
product can be used by more than one child and can be kept
for some years, adding to the value of the product. The mat
will allow for additional seating on the ground while protecting
their little feet from germs and cold floors while playing with
their toys.
The foundation teachers find their students antics amusing but
they often have to pick up after the kids as the toys are strewn all
over the floor and the neat pile that they attempts to make in one
corner, is always brought down within a few hours! With the
limited space in the classroom, the teachers would like to have a
specific area where the kids can sit and have their own space and
where the toys can be stored away in a more organized manner.
They have been to a few stores to look for a piece of furniture but
are always disappointed, as benches with storage space are
available but the colours are always targeted at either a boy (race
cars and super hero themes) or a girl (everything in pink with
Barbie or fairy themes) and they are keen to pick up a piece of
furniture that would be appealing to both the girls and boys in the
class.
The foundation children get along really
well and love role play, stories and stuffed
toys. They can often be seen sitting on the
floor with all their stuffed toys around them
as they act like “Mummy and Daddy” or
“the teacher” as they teach all their toys to
read and write!!
Clien
t
Profi
le

9. Company Profile – The Home
Centre
During my research, when I visited Home Centre I found that the colour palettes and themes used in the children’s section were definitely
appealing. However, I was unable to find any benches with storage or a product that combined seating, storage and play fun all in one.
In what may be considered a stereotypical fashion, the products targeted either a boy or a girl and the range of unisex furniture
products was extremely limited.
I believe that Home Centre is the ideal store to market my product as it is part of the Landmark Group which is one of the largest retail
conglomerates in the Middle East and India. The Landmark Group has a diverse portfolio of retail and hospitality brands. As it also
manages hospitals so the product would also have the possibility of being utilised in the children’s wards.
My product is bold, bright and fun – it also bridges an apparent gap that currently exists in Home Centre’s range of products. While Home
Centre enjoys a privileged clientele, I would bring the company a fresh perspective, breaking away from the old stereotypes in
children’s furniture and adding to the existing vibrancy and colour of it’s brand!
“There's no place like home, and there's no place like Home Centre to transform any space into your dream home” – this is the promise
delivered by Home Centre, one of the largest furniture and home décor stores in the Middle East.
With 92 stores across the Middle East, North Africa and India, Home Centre offers an impressive variety of fine furniture and furnishings,
home accessories, kitchenware, outdoor furniture and gift ideas distinguished by affordable prices, good value and comprehensive
service. From the first store in Sharjah, UAE in 1995, Home Centre today occupies half a million sq. ft. of retail space within its stores in
the UAE and over 3 million sq. ft. of retail space across all its markets.
Home Centre has undergone a complete revival and launched a fresh look and feel for it’s brand. The revamped showrooms display distinct
attention to current trends, emphasise the vast product range and commit to earth-friendly initiatives and safety standards. Home
Centre aims at making every visit to its store a treat for the whole family.

10. My comments:
I have researched several different types of
manufactured board to see which one I think I should
use for my product. I have decided to use Medium
Density Fibreboard because the boards are smooth,
strong and extremely resistant to warping. Its layered
structure makes fixing to the edges difficult. MDF is a
board used industrially for the production of
furniture, especially shelves and cupboards.
Plywood is made from thin layers of wood
glued together at 90 degrees to each other.
This makes plywood very strong as it cannot
split along the grain like solid timber. If
waterproof glue is used the plywood can be
used in damp or even wet conditions.
Chipboard is made from softwood
chips glued together. It is used to make
kitchen worktops and carcases and is
a very cheap material. It can be
laminated with a melamine layer to
give it a decorative and hardwearing
finish.
Blockboard is made from pieces of
softwood in a sandwich with a thin
layer of wood at the top and bottom.
It is used to make strong shelves.
Hardboard is mainly used in furniture
making usually as a back to a shelving unit
or cupboard. It is strong and hard because
it is made out of exploded wood
fibres that have been highly compressed.
Manufactured Boards

11. Cotton floss is the most common embroidery thread. It is a
thread made of mercerized cotton, composed of six strands that
are only loosely twisted together and easily separable. While
there are many manufacturers, the two most-commonly used
(and oldest) brands are DMC and Anchor, both of which have
been manufacturing embroidery floss since the 19th century.
Other materials used are pearl (or perle) cotton, Danish flower
thread, silk and rayon. Different wool threads, metallic threads or
other novelty threads may also be used.
The blanket stitch is another easy
stitch that effectively provides an
edging to materials as well as
securing the ends together. As it’s
name suggests, it was
traditionally used for blankets.
This stitch is ideal for most natural
and synthetic materials.
The running stitch or straight
stitch is the basic stitch in hand-
sewing and embroidery and most
other forms of sewing are based
on this. The stitch involves
passing the needle in and out of
the fabric either to sew pieces of
cloth together or to create
designs. The stitch is easy to learn
and is often incorporated into
children’s needlework classes.
An embroidered quilt
using the running stitch.
An example of the
blanket stitch used for
edging .
The cross stitch is one of the oldest forms of embroidery and is
still extremely popular. It is a simple X-shaped stitch used in a
tiled format to create intricate, detailed pictures on cloth. Cross
stitch requires fabric that has an even weave that is easy to count.
Stitching is done by counting threads in each direction, thereby
ensuring that the stitch is uniform in size and appearance. The
colour of thread is the variant used to create the design.
My comments: I will be using the running stitch and the blanket stitch to make my
removable boxes, playmat and pocket panel. I will not be using the cross stitch as I do not
have any pictures that could be made using the cross stitch on my product.

12. Natural Wood Fitting:
Materials such as pine can be
drilled and screws can be passed
through these holes. This gives a
cheap and effective knock-down
joint. The screws are
countersunk into the joint.
Rigid Joints:
These are moulded in plastic which
make them strong. Screws pass
through the four holes which hold
the sides at each corner firmly
together.
Possible Joints
Two Block Fittings:
This joint is made from plastic. A
bolt passes through the first fitting
and into the second. As the bolt is
tightened it draws the two fittings
together. This provides a very strong
knock down joint and can be easily
dismantled using a screwdriver.
CAM Lock:
The disk fits into a recess in one
side of the a cabinet. It rotates by
inserting a screwdriver into the
slot in its side. The shaft is
screwed into the second side of
the cabinet. The collar of the shaft
is passed through the hole in the
second slot in the disk. When the
disk rotates the shaft is locked in
position. This keeps both sides of
the cabinet locked together.
Dowel Joint:
A dowel joint is a butt joint
reinforced with wooden pegs. It is
often used instead of the tenon
joint if cost is a consideration in the
assembly of work. Dowel holes
must be a perfect 90 degrees to the
face of the work or the dowel will
twist when it is assembled. It is a
neat, strong joint however,drilling
accurate holes can be difficult.

13. Weight
Target
Market
Materials
Durability
Aesthetics
Safety
Function
Size
Cost
Specificat
ion
My product should last at least
5-7 years and my removable
boxes should last at least 2
years if used properly.
My product must not have
any sharp edges or corners
which could injure the
consumer. Removable parts
of my product will not be
heavy or small enough to be
swallowed, to prevent injury.
My product will be bright and
colourful and will have a
smooth finish. I will make sure
that all edges are sanded to
add to the aesthetic value.
The cost of my product would
be approximately Dhs 400 as
through my research I found
that this would be reasonable
for the target buyer as my
product has various functions.
My product should be able to
hold the weight of at least 2
children . It should be able to
store a suitable amount of toys.
It should be easy to use for the
consumer.
My product should be a
suitable size for my target
age group. I will carry out
anthropometric research to
finalize my measurements.
My boxes should be large
enough to hold an average
amount of toys but small
enough for children to hold.
My product should be slightly on
the heavier side so that it is
stable and doesn’t have a high
chance of falling. However, it
should not be too heavy tas this
would make it difficult for
customers to move around. The
boxes should be light so that it’s
easy for children to move.
My product will have features
that will attract its target
audience. It will include bold
colours (red and blue mainly).
My storage bench will
incorporate common toys for
young children such as an
abacus etc. to add to the
appeal of my product. Wood should be sturdy and
thick enough so that they do
not snap easily. Main
materials used for the mat
and boxes should be easy to
clean as young children may
spill things when using them.
A strong material should be
used to for the abacus rods
so that they are sturdy and
do not bend when being
used.

14. Initial Ideas

15. More Initial Ideas

16. Developed Ideas

17. Models
I made a model of one of my developed ideas
using card. I measured cut out each piece I
needed using a ruler and cutting knife. I cut
out nets of boxes to create the drawers and
the space where the drawers are inserted into
the whole product. I used the running stitch to
create some side pockets made out of felt. I
drew out a pirate parrot as it added to my
theme as well as made it a product that was
suitable for both a little boy or little girl. The
telescope at the top of the backboard further
adds to the theme. I then made a play mat
that would fold up to the side of the storage
bench out of some more felt. I used lots of
colours to make it appealing to my target
audience. I incorporated numbers and letters
as children in my target age group are usually
starting to learn. A pirate in the middle of the
mat emphasizes the theme.

18. More Developed Ideas

19. More Developed Ideas

20. Final Design

21. CAD Drawings – Google SketchUp

22. Anthropometric
Research1100mm
650mm
800mm
300mm
380mm
320mm
320mm
Piece Leng
th
(mm
)
Widt
h
(mm)
Thickn
ess
(mm)
Quant
ity
Side of
Cabinet
1100 350 12 2
Top of
Cabinet
350 300 12 1
Back of
Cabinet
1100 300 12 1
Partition
s
338 274 12 3
Bottom 1200 350 12 1
Seat 900 350 12 1
Side of
Seat
350 300 12 1
Backboa
rd
800 1200 12 1
Cutting Board
I carried out some
anthropometric
research to ensure
that my product would
be suitably sized for
my target age group. I
asked the Year One
teachers if I could
measure one boy and
one girl to make my
results applicable to
both genders.
240mm

23. 4. I marked where the 2 partitions
would be onto the inside of the both
sides of the cabinet (36cm apart).
Next, I measured out four pieces of
wood (2.5cmx33.8cm) and attached
them to the inner sides of my cabinet
(where I had marked) for the shelves
to rest on so that they were strong and
able to hold a suitable amount of
weight. I attached the shelves using
wood glue and some nails to keep
them in place and reinforce the joint. I
then attached the side of the cabinet
with the space for an abacus to the
rest of my product.
5.Subsequently, I measured out the two shelves and cut them out
using the fret saw. I applied wood glue to the shelf rests on either
side of my cabinet and then attached the shelves. I made the shelves
non removable so that my product would be safe for the consumer.
If the shelves were removable, the child may pull them out and
injure themselves.
Diary of Making
1.I measured out the bottom , the two sides, back and
the top of the cabinet on some medium density
fibreboard of 12mm thickness.
I used a ruler and a tri-square to make sure the corner
angles were always 90 degrees.
I then cut the 4 pieces out using a circular saw as the
pieces were too large to be cut using a fret saw. I
proceeded to then join one side of the cabinet to the
bottom. I did this by measuring 12mm into the bottom
piece and applying some wood glue. I joined the two
pieces and made sure that the edges all met properly.
Quickly after I had joined the pieces with the glue, I
hammered in some nails to strengthen the joint and
keep the wood in place.
After the glue had completely dried, I attached the back
and top of the cabinet using the same method.
2.For the other side of the cabinet I measured out a rectangle from the middle to
accommodate the abacus. I then made holes at two opposite corners of the rectangle using a
------------.. I cut the rectangle out by placing the blade of the fret saw inside the hole and
cutting along my lines.
3.I sanded the edges of the inner rectangle using three types of sandpaper (from rough to
fine) to smoothen out the edges so that it would not cause any injury and add to the
aesthetic value of my product. On the two sides, I then measured 3 points that were
equidistant from each other for me to later drill holes in which the rods for my abacus would
be connected.

24. Diary of Making
I marked where the middle partition
would be placed on the base of the
product. I then cut out the partition and
attached it to the base using wood glue
and two L-shaped metal brackets for
increased strength. I was initially going
to use knock-down fittings to improve
the joint, however, they were not
available at any of the stores that I
visited in Dubai.
For the seat, I measured out the three
pieces I needed and joined them
together using wood glue and nails. I
reinforced the joints with L-shaped
metal brackets to ensure that the seat
would be able to take the weight of at
least two children. I then attached the
three joined pieces to the base of my
product with more of the brackets.
I then drilled holes for the rods
of the abacus into the side of
the cabinet where I had
previously measured. I applied
tape to the drill to make sure
that the holes did not go
through the thickness of the
wood.
After attaching the seat, I used
wood filler to fill any gaps
between the pieces of wood
where I had joined them. Wood
filler is useful as it can be
sanded and prevents holes and
spaces in different parts of a
product. It also adds to the
aesthetic value.

25. Diary of Making
I drew out the backboard of
my product and attached it
to the main part of my
product using wood glue
and nails to make sure that
the backboard was strong
enough to take the weight
of a child. After the
backboard was secure, I
sanded down all the edges
of my product and made
sure that there were no
sharp corners . I sanded the
areas which I had applied
wood filler extra, to ensure
a smooth finish. I then
painted the wood with
primer and white paint. I
applied two coats of this to
improve the finish. I bought
red and blue paint whch
had a shiny finish and
painted the rest of my
product using these two
colours.
After this, I drew and
painted a parrot onto the
backboard to add to my
theme as stereotypically,
pirates own parrots. Then, I
painted the telescope onto
the top of my backboard,
further adding to the
theme. When all the paint
had dried and I was
satisfied with the finish, I
proceeded to attach the
various extras to my
product. I attached the side
pockets, playmat and
whiteboard using velcro so
that they were easily
removable to be cleaned as
young children tend to
make messes when playing.
I then cut pictures out of
the felt to stick onto the
boxes to add to the pirate
theme.

26. Making the Abacus
Materials:
For the abacus, I bought some brass rods with a
6mm diameter as this would be an effective
material as it is strong and long-lasting. Also, the
gold-like colour and shining exterior added to my
pirate theme. I also bought some wood spheres
with a diameter of 30mm.
Using a hack saw, I cut three pieces from the
brass rod each with a length of 32cm (slightly
longer than the length between the two sides so
that the two ends of the rod would go into the
holes which I had previously drilled into the
wood).
I then drilled holes into the wood balls. I put the
balls in a vice when drilling to keep them steady
and secure so that my hole was straight. The
holes I made had a diameter of 8mm so that the
balls would be able to move easily along the rods
when being utilised.
After I’d made sure that the balls moved easily
along the rods, I sanded them a little to ensure
smoothness and then spray painted them in
orange, pink and yellow to attract the target
audience and make the product appealing. When
the paint had dried, I put the balls onto the rods
and attached I to the side of my cabinet.

27. I made 3 storage boxes by first drawing nets in 100%
polyester in 3 different colours and stitching this together
creating polyester pockets, using wool and a simple running
stitch. To provide shape, I cut pieces of corrugated cardboard
and slid these into the polyester pockets I had previously
stitched. Then I stitched the sides up using the running
stitch and further secured the seams with a blanket stitch for
added aesthetic value. I used contrasting wool colours to the
colour of the box further enhancing the appeal of the
finished product.
For the playmat, I used PVC, which is a thermoplastic
made of 57% chlorine (derived from salt) and 43%
carbon (derived from oil and gas). PVC is less dependent
than other polymers on crude oil or natural gas, which
are non renewable and is hence regarded as a natural
resource saving plastic. The chlorine gives the PVC
excellent fire resistance. PVC is durable and can be
cleaned easily which is ideal for the age group that my
product caters to.
After cutting square pieces of PVC (each measuring
30X30cms), I stitched these pieces together to form a
colourful mat. I used coloured hemp as the thread as it is
derived from natural fibres and is biodegradable.
To add to the appeal of the product for children, I
incorporated foam letters and numbers which are
secured by Velcro and can be detached and their position
changed as part of play. Teachers and parents can also
use the mat to jumble up the numbers and letters and
allow the child to put them back in the correct order.
Making the storage boxes and play mat

28. I have really enjoyed making my product
and the most fun bits were creating the
little add-ons that I believe make all the
difference. I made the detachable,
colourful pockets on the side by cutting
pieces of felt and stitching them together.
Velcro has been used to secure the
pockets to the bench, thereby making it
easy to remove and clean, whenever
required. Yellow wool that contrasts with
the colours of felt used, further enhances
the overall vibrant look that I have
attempted to carry as a theme through the
entire making of my product.
The seat
cushion
Measuring and
drawing the
required size
Cutting the
material.
Sewing
the
cushion
To add to the comfort of my
product as well as the
aesthetic value I decided to
add a seat cushion. Extending
the general colour palette of
the product, I chose a
colourful cotton blend. After
measuring the seat I cut the
fabric, inverted it and then
stitched three sides. When
the 3 sides were completed
(using the running stitch), I
inverted the fabric and used
polyester foam padding to fill
the cushion and give it shape.
Polyester padding is a cost
effective filler that is used in
upholstery to create shape
and increase comfort. I then
completed the cushion by
sewing the fourth side. I am
happy with how the cushion
adds to the overall appeal of
the product and again I chose
the print and colour scheme
ensuring that it would be
suitable for a little boy or girl.

29. Consumer
Testing

30. 1. My product should not have sharp
edges or small removable pieces.
When making my product I made sure that all
of my edges and corners were nicely filed and
sanded to ensure smooth edges for
the safety of my target consumer. The
removable parts are made from light weight
materials and none of the removable parts
are small enough for a child to swallow or to
cause any injury.
2. My product should be bright and
colourful.
This feature, I believe, is the highlight of my
product . I have successfully incorporated bright
colours and designs that are appealing to the
target audience. To add to the aesthetic appeal,
the playmat and the removable boxes infuse
additional colour to the overall appearance of the
product. The explosion of colour is age
appropriate and makes the product fun for the
kids.
3. My product should be able to hold the
weight of 2 children and should provide
storage for toys.
On completion of my product, it has been tested
and it withstood the weight of two older children
than the target audience. There is sufficient space
in the product to store toys. Toys may be placed
in the two lower compartments under the seat .
Space for soft toys has been provided in the
removable boxes which are extremely lightweight
and durable at the same time.
4. My product should be functional for five
to seven years if kept well.
The product has been built using medium density
fibre board , which is a highly durable material.
The structural panels of wood have been
connected using L-shaped metal brackets. This
makes my product sturdy , provides stability and
prevents premature wear and tear to the product.
5. My product should be a suitable size for
the target age group.
I conducted an anthropometric survey with a
group aged between 5-7 years old from Year 1 of
Dubai British School. The measurements of the
product are in line with the results of the
survey,ensuring comfort for the consumer. Apart
from the seating being at anappropriate height,
the cabinet and the removable boxes are situated
at a height that allows the child to store the toys
themselves. When tested, feedback received from
the children was that the product is ‘super
comfortable’.
6. My product will have features that will
attract its target audience.
There are many facets in the product that will
enagage the target age group. The pirate theme
has been represented through a colourful parrot
painted onto the back board. Further building on
the theme, there are pirate symbols on the
removable boxes. The floormat engages children
by allowing them to remove letters and numbers
(attached by velcro)and put them into the correct
sequence. A whiteboard on the side of the cabinet
allows for creative drawing and there is a
colourful panel with pockets where children can
place markers and other small items.
7.Main materials used for the mat and boxes
should be easy to clean.
The mat is made from panels of PVC which is
extremely easy to wipe clean or wash if required.
To make the boxes, I used polyester which again,
is a thermoplastic material which is easy to clean.
Both materials were chosen for the product,
specifically for their general ease of maintenance.
8. Product Costing.
The cost of the raw materials put together allow
for a reasonable margin of profit. As the product is
to be batch produced, this will further drive up
the overall cost.
Evaluation against Specification
To summarise, my
product is in line with
the specifications. It will
be batch produced as a
limited edition product
at ‘Home Centre’ due to
the pirate theme.

31. Evaluation
When I had completed my product, I took it down to a
Year 1 classroom and tested it. When the class was
asked to guess what my product was they immediately
identified the pirate theme coming up with answers
such as pirate bed, pirate seat and pirate toy cupboard.
I then chose four children to further test my product. I
randomly chose two boys and two girls to make my
evaluation accurate as my target audience is both
genders of this particular age group. I was extremely
pleased with the outcome of my product as both the
boys and girls thoroughly enjoyed using my product,
especially the little add-ons: the abacus, the playmat
and the whiteboard. My product was able to hold two
children as I had aimed to in the specification. When
asked, the children concluded that they really liked my
storage unit altogether, however they had two
favourite parts: the playmat and the whiteboard as they
enjoyed moving the letters and numbers around and
then trying to place them back into their original
positions as well as drawing pictures and then being
able to draw again by erasing their previous drawing. I
believe that my product has successfully met its
specification and exceeded my expectation. The Year 1
teachers thought my product was useful to keep the
extra toys and made a wonderful, vibrant addition to
the classroom. They particularly liked the whiteboard as
they believed it aided the children’s learning by
allowing them to enjoy any activity. If I was to remake
my product I would try to use a lighter main material as
in the end my product became quite heavy. However, I
was happy with the fact that it was stable. I believe that
to further enhance and improve my product, I would
have liked to make the telescope a 3D kaleidoscope
which could be turned by the children creating pirate
themed pictures. I am not able to make this change
however I believe that would have made an interesting
addition to my product.