Lucy Lin
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Tender Touch - Feeding Spoon
The Tender Touch Feeding Spoon is the latest feeding spoon set introduced after Combi's previous generation. It features updated materials and is designed to address the shortcomings of the current product line, offering enhanced functionality and durability.
Legacy product review:
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Pros: Length, Shape, Good to feed
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Cons: Easy dyed and soften
Key points parents consider before purchasing:
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Soft Tip: Gentle on baby’s gums for a comfortable feeding experience.
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Ergonomic Handle: Easy for parents to grip and maneuver during feeding.
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Spoon Head Shape: Designed to easily scoop food from the bottom of bowls without leaving residue.
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Spoon Head Size: Appropriately sized to fit comfortably into a baby’s mouth.
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Dye-Resistant: Material resists staining, keeping the spoon looking clean and new.
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Safe Material: Made from non-toxic, baby-safe materials for peace of mind.
In analyzing top-selling feeding spoons across target markets, silicone is widely preferred for its softness and safety, but plastic also has a strong presence. While silicone spoons are often seen as premium due to their gentle texture and non-toxic qualities, plastic options remain popular for their affordability and durability. Both materials serve distinct consumer preferences, ensuring they retain market share.
Length Comparison
The spoon lengths of leading brands vary widely. For this project, focused on the Taiwan market, we are aiming for a target spoon length between 15 and 16.5 cm to suit local preferences.
Bending Test
Fully silicone feeding spoons can be too soft, especially in the handle, making it difficult to apply enough force when scooping food. However, feeding spoons with a hard material core inside the silicone provide the best of both worlds: the soft, safe spoon head for baby’s comfort and a sturdy handle that allows the caregiver to exert more control during feeding.
Everyone has a unique way of holding feeding spoons, but
inexperienced users often struggle with the feeding process.
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Observe Feeding Behavior: Study how caregivers feed babies to understand grip styles.
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Compare Products: Evaluate competitor and Combi’s spoons side by side.
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Test with Baby Food: Assess spoon performance with real baby food.
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Identify Key Features: Gather insights on features that influence buying decisions.
User Interview
User Interview
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Spoon Handle: Users prioritize handle support and length. For younger babies, caregivers frequently adjust their grip and the spoon’s angle to match the baby's movements during feeding.
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Spoon Weight: If the spoon is too light, it feels unstable and requires extra force to grip properly, reducing control.
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Spoon Head: While spoon head firmness varies little across products, the rigidity of the neck is crucial for effective food scooping. Fully silicone spoons without internal reinforcement are less effective. Younger babies need smaller spoon heads for frequent mouth scrapes, while older babies may prefer larger bites.
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Note: Priorities shift with age—younger babies prioritize spoon head over handle, while older babies prioritize handle over spoon head.
Feeding Spoon Design Spec
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Extend the handle length.
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Add a slight curve to the grip.
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Widen the spoon head.
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Reduce the curvature of the grip and slightly narrow the width.
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Adjust the position of the silicone grooves.
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Widen the spoon head.
Prelim Proposals and User Testing
Prelim Proposals and User Testing
Final Design Adjustment
Since the curvature of the handle and spoon neck affects grip ergonomics, we created different versions for internal testing to find the most comfortable shape for hand grip.
To gain insights into the Combi silicone feeding spoon, we collected user feedback and observed how caregivers used the spoon to assess if it met their needs. We visited participants' homes, where caregivers with babies aged 4 months and older tested the spoon, allowing us to evaluate its performance and effectiveness in real feeding scenarios.
Findings
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5 out of 8 mothers agree that the handle's curvature and width provide a comfortable grip.
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6 out of 8 mothers feel that the textured surface of the handle prevents the spoon from being easily grabbed by the baby.
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4 out of 8 mothers believe the spoon's depth causes food to get trapped, making it harder to clean thoroughly.
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2 out of 8 mothers think a slightly narrower spoon width would better fit a baby’s small mouth.
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Note: For babies just learning to eat, a flatter spoon surface is more comfortable for them.
Color Plan
Inspired by Combi's baby product color palette and current market trends, we chose "Spring Blooming" as the theme for the new feeding spoon set to symbolize the joy of welcoming a new baby into the world.
Design Finishing and Material
The feeding spoon set features smooth, polished finishes for enhanced comfort and easy cleaning. Made from non-toxic, BPA-free, and food-safe materials, it ensures durability and safety for babies. The polished spoon head is soft yet firm for easy scooping, while the matte-finished handle offers a gentle texture for a secure grip.
FEEDING SPOON
