Dynamic Destinies Inc. is an organization with over 25 years in the self help and growth industry. The founder Peggy McColl is recognized as a New York Times best selling author. She wanted to develop a completely interactive program based on her bestselling book "Your Destiny Switch".
The Book explains the scale of human emotions and demonstrates how emotional states influence people's lives. A web based system was already developed to analyze the complete range of human emotions on an individual basis. This application enabled users of the program to set emotional goals and track their progress through a period of time; however, this implied that the individual's success would depend on independent perseverance of the goals. The Challenge was to develop an ergonomically pleasing representation of the concepts in the book and the on line application to motivate individuals to stay focused on their goals.
Main Requirements
Ease-of-use
The device needed to be simple, yet offer a high level of functionality.
Interactive
It required four slide-able switches that could be set in any configuration to represent complex emotional states based on a set of 4 task dimmer switches. Each task dimmer switch had a drum with twelve selectable emotions. Users were able to set up to four emotions at the time, and mark the current emotional state for each as determined by the online application.
Vertical and horizontal use
Had to be used in both a free standing and flat (lap) position.
Stand Alone Capabilities
Required a single drawer on the side to hold up to 20 cue cards enabling the console to be used as a stand alone device.
Ergonomic
Had to look good and feel good in the hands as it was a component of the book sale display.
Durability
Due to the frequent useage expected for the device, the structure had to be strong enough to withstand dropping, and the switches had to be resilient enough to be used daily for several months without wearing.
cost-effective
Cost of production was a major issue due to the large volume of units to be manufactured. The design was optimized to reduce the number of screws and parts requiring manual assembly.
Multilanguage
Multilingual versions had to be possible without redesigning the moulds. Therefore, all labels were to be easily interchangeable.
Process
After a series of information rounds with C2R, the process of creating a 3d model started. Based on a series of blue prints and artistic renderings of the product, C2R developed the virtual model, including all its component s. The design concept was enhanced through the sharing of C2R's manufacturing expertise. The device was refined in order to fullfill all the device requirements stated above. After the virtual model was tested using 3d modeling software provided by C2R, a rapid prototype was created to test the physical device in terms of weight, size, and functionality. Having the physical device built was a great help in resolving final issues, such as assembly and packaging, as well as for collecting feedback from beta users. A second rapid prototype was then created to include the final design changes. Finally, the production files where sent to the mould manufacturers to begin production.
Result
The Destiny Switch Console is currently in a pre-production stage awaiting the production of manufacturing moulds.
The prototype has been showcased on numerous TV shows and pre-orders of the products have already been received. It is the first physical device of its kind and is expecting to sell well when it becomes available in early 2008.
