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Team Project I
Corn Popper
Our first team project took form in the reverse engineering and rhetorical analysis of the well-known children's toy, the FisherPrice Corn Popper. In this project, we analyzed the marketing strategies used to appeal to the various stakeholders when it comes to the Corn Popper and took apart the toy to figure out just how it keeps kids engaged and occupied.
Objective & Process
The goal of this project was to analyze the rhetorical strategies employed by the FisherPrice marketing team on the Corn Popper toy as well as take apart and figure out how the Corn Popper functioned. In addition to this, we had to write a report including technical descriptions of the parts of the corn popper, a proposed redesign to include children with disabilities, and discussion of rhetoric and stakeholders.
Rhetoric
My partner and I identified rhetoric both in the design of the corn popper itself and in the packaging. Rhetoric in the design included auditory and visual elements to keep the child engaged, wide wheels and an easy to grasp handle, and encouragement through sounds and visuals for the child to keep using the toy. The packaging featured rhetoric specific to the parent's of the children who would be using the toy by listing that the Corn Popper fit within the safety requirements of ASTM F963 as well as the fact that it helps develop gross motor and sensory skills.
Reverse Engineering
During the decomposition process of the Corn Popper, we took pictures to document each part and where it fits in the with the rest of the toy pieces. We figured out that a spring connected to a rotated wheel axel causes the balls in the clear dome to pop and in turn make the noise that keeps the children engaged.
Proposed Redesign
Within the report, we had an outlet to show our creativity and invention skills with a proposed redesign of the Corn Popper to reach children with disabilities. The redesign my partner and I came up was designed to help include deaf children and enhance their learning experience. This would be accomplished by adding lights to the plastic balls and adding a vibration feature to the handle. Every time the wheels roll and the balls pop up, a sensor in the dome or the lid would be hit which would send a quick vibration up to the handle where the child is holding it. This would enhance the child’s experience and teach him/her about cause-and-effect without having to hear a popping noise.
Reflection
Had first chance to take apart and analyze an object of that size
Experienced an additional level of curiosity because I myself had played with a corn popper when I was younger and had several year old questions about precisely how engaging the wheels would cause the popping of the balls
Was able to be more thorough in analysis of the corn popper due to complete disassembly
Made connections between parts and systems within the toy (wheel assembly)
Noted that the design created the opportunity for growth and development of significant motor and sensory skills while also keeping children engaged
Was able to take the object with limited to no accessibility I was studying and think creatively into a prototype that could be usable for kids that struggled with hearing impairments and deafness