Initial ideas
The next stage of the project was creating the final product and a prototype for testing. First, ideas for the instruments were discussed inside the group to choose ones that can be used by both the mother and the child and of which the prototype is feasible to create with the limited time and resources.
The final instruments were: a tambourine, a drum (played with hands), and drumsticks, as all three use simple motions and do not require hitting specific notes. Additionally, Christine* does not have a TV, so the main device that receives the signal should also have a screen and a speaker. As for the microphone, it would have the same functionality as any other microphone and only the aesthetics would be different.
List of requirements
To ensure the final product was usable for both Christine and her child and that it fulfils all her needs and wishes, a list of requirements was made.
Style
Retrieved from Little Dutch, 2025
Although Christine said she does not care about the style of products, she specifically mentioned that she liked the style of the brand Little Dutch, so a style collage was created for reference. From this a colour palette was created and wood was chosen as the main material for the product.
Final product
The final product will include: a main device with a screen and a speaker (participant does not have a TV), the three instruments, and a microphone.
The instruments and the microphone will connect to the main device wirelessly. The tambourine/drum will be able to detect when and with how much force it gets struck, the drumsticks would be able to detect their movement speed and position.
For the mother, the dancing is made more challenging so it functions as a workout. The tutorial for all the usage cases are first shown to the mother and the child learns by first mimicking her. This is possible to change in settings to visual and audio clues for the child as they grow up.
Final product
Using the instruments
Final product
Visual prototype
Prototype plan for the drum
Prototype plan for the drum stick
Game mode selection
Prototype plan for the drum
As the instruments require small-sized electronics, that were not available for prototyping, the decision to make two prototypes was made and approved by an expert. For both only the instruments were made, as a laptop served instead of the main device and Christine already had a microphone that could be used for testing.
The first prototype was visual, where the dimensions, shapes, colours, and the interface on the screen were as close to the final product as possible, but no functionality (Wizard of Oz).
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The goal of this was to be used in testing with the participant as general physical and mental ergonomics are more important for that then having full functionality.
Functional prototype
The second prototype was functional, it had all or at least the majority of the electronic parts and was able to detect the movements, connect to the main device, provide basic noise and vibration feedback when certain actions were performed, but in size and shape was not as the real product.
The goal of this was to prove the final product would be able to perform its intended functions, mainly for the experts evaluating the project.
Layout of the prototype
Technical drawings part 1
Prototype connected by Bluetooth
Layout of the prototype
Testing
Testing the interface
Testing the hand drum
Testing the drumsticks
Testing the interface
In order to evaluate the final product and prototype a user testing was performed.
Christine was asked to perform some simple tasks with the interface to test if they were clear. She was also asked some general questions about the aesthetics and ergonomics of the prototype, if it matched her expectations, things she liked and disliked as well as some other aspects.
The full document with the protocol and answers can be downloaded here
Evaluation
Based on the fact that Christine was overall satisfied with the product, the project can be considered successful.
However, there are also aspects that need future improvement. Notably she pointed out the unintuitiveness of having a hand drum and drum sticks, she instead suggested having a snare drum for the drumsticks and keeping the hand drum the same. She also mentioned how the game was missing any ways to anticipate a move as opposed to her past experiences with similar systems ("Just Dance"). There were also other minor remarks that can be found in the testing document above.
Considering all of these issues can be solved with further improvements and Christine liked the overall product idea the project can still be considered a success.
When looking back on this project as a design team and evaluating the prototype against the list of requirements, all of the ones that can be tested with a prototype and not only final product were fulfilled, so from this perspective the project can also be considered successful.
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Despite that, the product could have been even more personalized if there were more contact moments with the participant, but that was not possible due to her having a quite busy schedule.
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As for future recommendations for creating the real product as the first step all feedback from the testing should be implemented to create the next prototype. Additional testing to check whether the microphone needs to be a separate piece or can be integrated into one of the drumsticks also has to be performed. Next, the modification process should continue iteratively until a fully-functioning product that fulfils all of the needs and wants of the participant is created. This can either be the end of the project or it can be further developed into a market product taking into account general population's needs and wants.