My role

In 2016, I interned at Munchkin, a baby products company located in Van Nuys, CA. One project that I worked on during my 4-month internship was an update of the classic xylophone toy. I was the sole designer working on this project, but was mentored by a senior designer who would regularly critique my work.

Opportunity

Munchkin had recently updated the design of their award winning Mozart Magic Cube (right) and were looking for other opportunities for similar toys.

The classic 8 note scale xylophone toy has not seen much innovation in decades. Munchkin identified an opportunity to innovate by making the toy more educational, and updating the aesthetics to match their modern form language.

Solution

Magic Xylo is an electronic xylophone that grows with your child. It keeps the 8 note scale of the classic toy so it can be used as a real instrument, but also contains four modes that allow kids of all ages to play music.

What is a xylophone?

A classic xylophone is a percussion instrument, so I pulled inspiration from a wide range of other percussion instruments and “percussive” games.

I ended up moving forward with the “Rock n’ roll Xylo,” which had the classic 8 note scale, and could be interacted with in multiple ways at different stages of childhood development.

What Might a xylophone do?

In addition to sketching overall high level concepts, I drew detailed interactions and possible features. Examples include interactions with the keys, the sound, and the lights.

Feature prioritization

After creating potential features for the xylophone, I categorized and prioritized them so better decisions could be made about what to keep and what to get rid of.

What might a magic xylophone look like?

I knew the 8 note scale was an important part of the design direction, so I imagined different forms that could take. I considered materials, logo placement, switches, and ergonomics.

Initial explorations

Many of my early explorations included handles. This was important because I wanted a child to be able to easily carry it from one place to another.

Form refinement

After exploring a wide range of directions, I focused on incorporating Munchkin form language and CMF into the final design.

A xylophone that grows with your child

Magic Xylo has four modes that can be selected with a switch on the back. The modes allow any child at any stage of development to play music.

Press to play Mode

A child can press a button and 1 of 5 songs plays.

Dance mode

Turning, shaking, or just moving the xylophone makes music.

Learn and play Mode

The xylophone teaches a child how to play songs by lighting up the right key and playing the note when the key is pressed.

Free play Mode

A child is free to play songs they create on the full 8 note scale.

Outcome

At the end of my internship, I presented this product concept to my team, as well as the VP of Product Development at Munchkin.