Problem Identification

<aside> <img src="/icons/drafts_green.svg" alt="/icons/drafts_green.svg" width="40px" /> 10 to 30% of children have difficulty when first learning how to write (around age 5), some of which can be attributed to a neurological disorder called Dysgraphia.

</aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/drafts_green.svg" alt="/icons/drafts_green.svg" width="40px" /> These children often lack grip strength and fine motor coordination. It is easy for kids to lose motivation due to the repetitive, boring nature and physical exhaustion that accompanies learning how to write.

</aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/drafts_green.svg" alt="/icons/drafts_green.svg" width="40px" /> Writing struggles are most commonly characterized by the inability to form shapes, letters, and numbers or hold a pencil correctly. Children may fall behind their peers in the classroom and become frustrated.

</aside>

Market Research

Pain Points of Existing Tools

• Not very stimulating or interactive
• No visual indication of success
• Mimics writing but does not enhance learning

Consumer Needs

• Motivates child to practice
• Combines existing therapies
• Fun and challenging
• Varied nature to keep child engaged

Ideation

Brainstorming

1. Develop product concepts individually
2. Pair up and narrow down to 3 ideas
   1. Magnetic writing board
   2. Pen with audio learning tools
   3. Matching game featuring LEDs, grippers, and writing
3. Chose solution! → Write Right!
   1. Doesn’t mimic existing products
   2. Stimulating with lights and screen
   3. Replayability!

Constraints

• Our budget & consumer’s budget
• Material safety (choking hazard, child possibly chewing / ingesting)
• Feasibility based on personal abilities and time availability

Design Inspiration/Goals

• Combine various writing therapies and products
• Colorful, fun, and stimulating
• Focus on hand strength and fine motor coordination
• Something that actually helps the child improve

Technical Development

Skills & Practices Utilized

The team cultivated & implemented a multitude of skills throughout the course of the development process such as:

• 3D printing best practices & its quirks
• Design and innovation processes
• Utilization of new technologies
• Soldering
• Coding

Constraints:

• Reed switch magnet alignment
• Reset button
• Wired

Product Overview

Key Features

• LEDs and LCD screen for stimulation
• Randomized game board for varied gameplay
• Combines existing therapies to improve grip strength, fine motor precision, and compels child to practice writing
• Different pieces so child can continue to challenge their skills

Game Instructions

1. Press button to begin

2. Read color displayed on screen

3. Use tweezers to pick up game pieces and place them in the holes that correspond to the displayed color

4. Write the word that is on the screen

Go To Market

Overall Plan

• Sell through department stores
• Educational toys section
• Affordable pricing and differentiation
• Encouraging kids to improve their skills and benefit their future education in a fun way
• Market product through TV commercials and advertisements

How to Appeal to Children

• Box design
• Logo
• Packaging

How to Appeal to Adults

• Emphasis on the education
• Highlight opportunity to develop handwriting skills
• Target parents of children with poor fine motor skills

The Team

Project Lead

Eric Mockapetris (he/him)

Team Members

Linda Yan (she/her)

Alex Shulz (he/him)

Ana Torreao (she/her)

Ian McCarthy (he/him)

Abigail Kazan (she/her)