Shahpar Mirza
Stanford University, Class of 2019
B.S. Product Design Engineering
678-234-2600
Learnings from the California School for the Blind
Understanding the future of play for Radio Flyer
Three teammates and I were tasked with defining the future of play for our corporate sponsor RadioFlyer - a Chicago-based company that makes ridable toys for children. Our final solutions included The Radio Go, Neighborhood Flyers, and The Duo Flyer (shown left).
Problem
How Might We:
better understand the future of play in order to inform Radio Flyer's products?
Process
Ethnographic interviews with children at the California School for the Blind
MAJOR FINDING
Despite their shared disability, the kids relied more on each other than on adapted products or even their sighted teachers. Instead of getting lost together, they helped each other find their way.
NEEDS HIERARCHY
To better understand the needs of the students at the California School for the Blind, we created this needs hierarchy below.
MAJOR INSIGHT
Kids at the California School for the Blind explore the world through hyper-collaboration to see and experience what they wouldn't on their own.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Help kids strengthen friendships by having them work toward the same goal & win together
Make asking for help feel easy by providing direct avenues for communication
Help kids feel valuable by giving them different roles within a team
Help kids find community by creating a platform that connects families with shared experiences
DUO FLYER
The tandem tricycle that gets kids to move, laugh and play together
One gets to pedal while another kid gets to steer. It's a fun way to move and work together for kids of all abilities. Duo Flyer gives kids a special role in their collaboration, and it is sure to bring lots of smiles.
RADIO - GO
A modern walkie talkie that encourages collaboration through audio adventures
Radio-Go allows kids to talk to their friends while playing collaborative, goal-oriented games, all while allowing parents to call their kids or track their locations by GPS as they play around the neighborhood. When going on a playdate, kids link their Radio-Gos so they can talk to each other, and their missions are kept in sync. Radio-Go offers a variety of games based on audio prompts. The games encourage kids to accomplish different tasks by using each of their skills. All in a cool gadget that mounts to their existing Radio Flyer toys.
NEIGHBORHOOD FLYERS
A program that helps families and neighbors fly together
The Neighboorhood Flyers Program allows kids and families to share experiences through building a community of Radio Flyer users. After a purchase is made, the customer is notified of others who have bought a Radio Flyer product in their area. It also allows the customer to chat with other parents to organize playdates and community activities within the neighborhood.
