Reflection through the design process

1. EVALUATION
Design Challenge
“..to design a product that helps children to overcome their fears of monsters
by convincing them that monsters are not real. This would help children get
a good night’s sleep on their own.”
Concept
No Monsters In The Closet is a fun and interactive
product, distracting the child by helping them
forget about monsters when they are scared.
The product is miniature personalised closet
demonstrating to the child that there aren’t
any monsters in the closet and provides the
child with a range of card based games.
Reflection Tangled as Designers
Attendance
Tangled missed 3 meetings and were late for another few meetings.
Viability of Individual Concepts
5/10
5/10
Original solutions to the product brief. However, 5 of the 9 initial concepts had monsters in the
product, going against the brief which stated that the product should convince the child that
“monsters are not real.” This meant the client was only able to choose between 4 products to develop.
Quality of development of 2 Concepts
9/10
Thorough development of concepts, producing initial prototypes of proposed concepts and researched
into existing similar products. Provided the client with options within concepts to aid in choosing the
final concept. Concerns given during feedback were addressed and suggestions explored.
Presentation of Concepts
8/10
Concepts explain well through the use of storyboards. Accompanying text had clear “Explanation”,
“Product” and “Results” sections. Clients had no major issues understanding the concepts proposed.
Technical Drawings
5/10
Wardrobe dimensions were given as an assembly. Individual part dimensions had to be calculated by
the client. Closet door graphic was incorrect size (not 6x9cm), leading to client having to resize the
graphic.
Manufacturing Instructions
4/10
Ambiguous manufacturing instructions. Designers listed equipment needed to build the wardrobe.
However, no steps on how to assemble wardrobe were given.
Product Aesthetics 9/10
Wardrobe gives child possibility to create a unique looking product. Playing card graphic looks very
nice. Cards are clear and evoke a sense of fun.
Deadlines
4/10
Initial concept storyboards were handed on time but initial concept presentation was handed 5 days
late. Development package was handed on time. Final design concept was delivered 4 days late.
Meeting The Brief
9/10
Overall the brief was successfully met. Although the product addresses the brief indirectly, this is
expected. Helping the child to overcome their fear of monsters is a by-product of playing the card
games. All deliverables have been met.

2. EVALUATION CONTINUED
Viable Product?
Positives
• Small and manageable product
• Product can be personalised
• Similar to a real wardrobe, only scaled down
• Child learns about other objects whilst playing card games
• 4 card games can be played on one set of cards, efficient use of cards
• Product doesn’t require electricity to work
Concerns
• Child may not be distracted from their fear through playing the card game
• A card game is over quickly
• Would the child want to play a card game when they are scared?
• The product is not very comforting, like a cuddly toy
• Very hard to convince a child that monsters do not exist only through a toy
• The child may still want reassurance from their parents.
Retrospective Design
The next iteration of the product could have a layered tear away front door,
allowing the child to change the design of their wardrobe or for reuse with a
younger sibling. A small cuddly toy could be added to the wardrobe, increasing
the variety of items within the wardrobe, making the product more comforting.
Reflection Tangled as a Client
Brief
6/10
Succinct project brief. Clear explanation of folklore to designers who were uneducated about the
subject. Some text was directly copied from Globetrotters brief, reducing clients’ learning experience.
Concept Feedback to Designers
9/10
Feedback on initial concepts was in depth and explained, detailing positive and negative aspects. The
chosen concepts to develop were given reasons why and suggestions for improvements were given.
Checking of Proposed Plan of Manufacture
3/10
Initial prototyping plan was to purchase a ready-made onesie and customise onesie to concept
specifications. However, alternative plans of manufacture were not explored and when purchasing a
onesie was not feasible, this lead to friction between clients and designers. Extensively checking the
proposed plan of manufacture in the early stages from both clients and designers would have avoided
this issue.
Manufacture of Prototype
10/10
Very high quality prototype showing functionality and aesthetics of product. Product looks well made
and matches the concept very closely.
Professionalism
Clients sometimes communicated in a condescending and disrespectful tone to designers, when
frustrated during the prototyping process.
Communication
3/10
8/10
Communication was done over multi-web platforms and Skype. There were no lost messages or posts.
However, confusion about weekly meetings were consistently an issue within conversations. Good use
of comments on posts to give quick feedback. Clients also quickly answered designers’ posts.
Concluding Thoughts
Overall, the Globetrotters team has had a thoroughly enjoyable undertaking of
this project. We have learnt about Brazilian culture and design approaches,
allowing us to be better prepare for the increasingly interconnected design
world. This unique project has seen 2 great products created, helping children
grow and learn. We have even learnt some Portuguese along the way!
Obrigado,
Globetrotters