Ideation and Brainstorming

Brainstorming Process

• Our team used a variety of brainstorming techniques up until this point. Our initial brainstorming was very collaborative with our entire team in person. The most successful brainstorming sessions were when we all just sat down and discussed out different ideas. We did not use many of the more visual brainstorming techniques but doing those exercies in class also helped develop more ideas (whiteboard from one of these sessions shown to the right). It was also quite helpful when we would all discuss, think on it for a little while, and then send any further ideas we had in our Slack or Messaging group chats. This was also beneficial because we have a record of all of the ideas we have has and how the have progressed. Finally, after each interview we discussed the important insights we gained and what new ideas were produced.

Ideas that have come up in brainstorming sessions include:

• Methods to help mother get in and out of the car after birth i.e. an inflatible ramp or step stool

• A breastfeeding cover that is very portable and easy to travel with. Also made of a lightweight fabric so it can be used in the summer without overheating. We had the idea to have a shirt that could be converted into a breastfeeding cover for maximum flexibility.

• An ultra-lightweight hiking backpack that can also be used with one or two children. This could have the flexibility to be used hiking, as a diaper bag (with a collapsible changing table), or even an around town baby carrier.

• We also explored the realm of baby monitoring such as a crib and baby monitor set that could detect when a baby was waking up and could then play white noise or even rock the baby back to sleep.

• We liked the idea of adaptable products that could be used in a variety of settings, negating the need to buy multiple products for similar purposes. So, we brainstormed a crib insert that could also be used as a carrier, and a carseat, and could even snap into a stroller base. This could also help parents when their child falls asleep in the car so they can bring them inside without waking them.

• Our most viable idea is a hydraulic or motorized adjustable height crib. The center platform of the crib would be able to go up and down to bring the baby up to the parents. This would allow parents that are below or above average height to pick up and put down their babies without difficulty or physical strain.