The Zoomer - Northwestern Design Thinking Communication 106
DTC - Design Thinking Communication
The Class
At Northwestern, I attended the DTC class. I worked in a team of 4 to create a solution for a client. Nancy Cowles of non-profit organization Kids in Danger asked our group to design a device that would enhance a child’s tablet, facilitating remote learning (due to Covid-19) and also making tablets safer for children to use.
Our group learned to follow the design process, following the main steps of of researching, ideating, prototyping, testing, iteration, and presentation. We came up with multiple mockups, and through further user testing/observation with families of preschool children and a design review with our classmates, we chose one design that most effectively fit our requirements, and we called it the Zoomer.
The Zoomer
The Zoomer is a tablet case and remote control that aims to make video conferencing applications, specifically Zoom, more intuitive and easier to use. The case consists of three parts: a protective case, a kickstand, and a remote control. The Zoomer helps meet the needs of our users by making the tablet more accessible, making participation easier, and making the tablet safer for a child to use. Even though the Zoomer is primarily designed for use with Zoom, which our research shows is nearly ubiquitous at the moment, it can be easily adapted to other software and hardware as needed, and it’s design is multipurpose, not limited to just be used by children.
I led the creation of our team’s design mockup, using OnShape to create a 3D model of what our tablet would look like. I also learned how to use mate connectors to animate our 3d model, revolving our prototype’s kickstand.
Initial Prototype
Updated Prototype
Updated Prototype 2 - (Design Freeze Document)
Final Prototype
Final Prototype Hinge Animation
