This week, we met up in smaller groups to discuss our ideas for our major project. Overall, this was very beneficial as it helped me see my ideas from different perspectives. It also helped me reject ideas and choose one to focus on.
You can read more about why I chose this idea here in my weekly notes, week 4:
The idea I have decided to focus on is:
Subscription service which recommends books based on your child’s reading abilities and interests and sends them to your doorstep.
Problem statement: With the development of new technology and smart device addiction, less children have an interest in reading. This means more children are missing out on the benefits of reading which can impact their intellectual skills and development.
I have changed the product a little after the discussion. Instead of recommending books based on the child’s age, it would be based around their reading abilities. Each time a child finishes a book, they could review it and specify whether it was too easy, too hard or just right. Therefore, if a child is above their reading age, they are given books which will challenge them more. Alternatively, if a child is having reading difficulties, they can be given books more suited to their abilities so they can improve and not be too intimidated by the books
One reason I was put off this idea at first was the amount of competitors a product like this would have. There are many book subscription services for children which are quite personalised. Therefore, my product would need to have an element which makes it stand out and be more desirable. One way I have already done this is by changing the book recommendations from age range to reading ability. Another way I could make this unique is:
AR integration: There could be a rewards system to encourage children to read. For example, at the end of each book, the parent and child could scan it and receive a badge or character which is then input into their progress chart.