EL-38 [Filename: EEPROD.

DOC] Electronic Toy Product

June 25, 1997

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Charles M. Lovas Mechanical Engineering Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas 75275-0337 (214) 768-3207 (214) 768-1473 clovas@seas.smu.edu Design Project 6-8 weeks take Home

Summary Students are asked to create an eye-catching, innovative electronic toy for the 3-11 year old. The toy must contain more than 20 bulbs operating in a dynamic mode. Cost and delivery time constraints are included. This project introduces students to the area of product design. While the technical design is important there are equally important considerations of market segmentation, presentation lead time to retailer, and creative toy design.

ABET Descriptors Engrg. Sci. Content: Electronics Type: Systems Elements: Establish objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing, evaluation Features: Creativity, open-ended, specifications, generate alternative solutions, feasibility, system description Constraints: Economics, safety, time, aesthetics Effort: Individual

EL-38 [Filename: EEPROD.DOC] Electronic Toy Product

June 25, 1997

MEMO

September 4, 1991 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Product Development Group New Product Manager New Product for 1992 Christmas Season

I have reviewed the new product surveys from the past year. These surveys polled more than 50,000 potential customers in all 50 states. Marketing has abstracted the following potential characteristics for a successful product for the holiday season: Creative - eye-catching, innovative Electronics - dynamic, more than 20 bulbs Selling price - less than $15.00 Target audience - user: 3-11 years - buyer: 21-90 years Delivery - to buyers market at 1991 Winter Market Develop a creative product for the 1992 Christmas season that will make the world forget the Cabbage Patch Doll!

EL-38 [Filename: EEPROD.DOC] Electronic Toy Product

June 25, 1997

Engineering Notes

Objectives/Comments: This project introduces students to the area of product design. While the technical design is important there are equally important considerations of market segmentation, presentation lead time to retailer, and creative toy design. Expected Outcomes: Design Process. The student must follow a logical process in accomplishing the design. This design process must be reflected in the design report submitted. Design Report. The student must develop documentation on the design. The design report will reflect the steps taken in the design process used in solving the problem. Grade evaluation will be equally weighted to the design concept generated in the report and to the final product. Final Product. The final product must reflect the work presented in the report submitted three weeks earlier. Any significant changes in the design of the product must be justified by the student. Completion of the product on-time is stressed. Discussion/Follow Up: Stressing creativity of the product design can produce unique designs from the students. The statement leave the type of product to be designed open for a creative approach. Creativity in product is one of the two key elements in retail sales. Specifying the target audience as user and buyer causes the student to think in a dual fashion concerning the attractiveness of any product they might choose to design. Students must now do a segmentation study on both user and buyer. Students will need to survey people in both groups to determine what the real market will be. Timing is the second key element in retail sales. The designer must get the product, in a timely fashion, to the Market where wholesalers and retailers view, select, and order the goods that go into the stores. Failure to demonstrate this product at the appropriate Market session will eliminate the product from sale to the general populace during the winter season. Students must research the dates of the Market when winter toy retailers will make their selections.