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Background

Munchkin takes pride in developing clever, innovative products that excite and delight families.  Their mission is to anticipate and serve parents’ needs by creating simple baby products that make parenting (and life) easier and more enjoyable.

In Speck Design, Munchkin found the same user-centric mentality that is core to its values and brand, and the creativity and design experience they needed to create a great new product.

Challenge

Munchkin wanted to get the step stool out of the broom and mop department of stores and into the toy department by creating a step stool that parents would buy for their kids, rather than for the garage. They wanted to develop a new children’s product that was:

• Fun and appealing to kids and parents
• A teaching mechanism for toddlers
• Safe, durable, and appropriate for children
• Sold at a reasonable price point

Solution

The series of challenges faced during the project and our approach to solving them were a perfect example of the ability of our departments to collaborate and synthesize ideas in order to create the perfect product.  Our research department learned which elements of a product appealed to children and parents, our engineering team knew how to best incorporate learning systems in a safe and effective manner, and our industrial design team created visually appealing features that were exciting for kids and parents.

Speck Design delivered five different step stool concepts to Munchkin.  All of the models were bright and fun, utilized appropriate and safe materials, and incorporated unexpected learning systems.  Each addressed different problems and game playing roles for children.

Results

The concept chosen by Munchkin became MAC, the S.M.A.R.T. Stool - the first interactive step stool on the market.  The stool was both a standing platform as well as a learning device.  The MAC S.M.A.R.T. Stool was made with a durable, non-slip surface (yet still light enough for toddlers to carry) and was the ideal height for kids so that they would be able to reach a sink for brushing teeth and washing hands.  The learning stool featured four large buttons that played back four different audio recordings: 1) a two minute tooth-brushing song to encourage kids to brush for at least 60 seconds (the time recommended by dentists), 2) and 3) two buttons for counting and alphabet songs to teach kids their ABCs and 123s in either English or Spanish, and 4) music for the Stepping Out Game, which is similar to musical-chairs.

Delighted with MAC, Munchkin and Speck Design have worked together on a number of additional products. This project also demonstrates Speck Design’s desire to understand and improve the business of our clients.  Ultimately, this product achieved three important business goals:

1. It changed the product from a $5 industrial plastic step stool to a $20 children’s stool and educational device.

2. It increased the sales revenue and margin on what was a low margin and undifferentiated product, by raising the price, increasing the value, and moving the product to the children’s section of the store.

3. It increased the sales per square foot of the retail store, thus making Munchkin a more valuable vendor.

PROJECT INFO

• Client:

  Munchkin

• Project:

  The MAC S.M.A.R.T Interactive Stool

• Industry:

  Consumer