Sirius XM needed to create a child-friendly remote control, for the launch of their new 'Backseat TV' automotive entertainment service. The primary challenge was to create a remote control that would excite children and help them identify the remote control with the programming in addition to being simple to use and practical in the automotive environment.
Designed by Arjun Joseph during his time as Senior Industrial Designer at EDGE pdc, the Sirius XM 'Backseat TV' remote successfully creates strong visual appeal for children and is easily identifiable as the Sirius remote. The logical layout of the buttons with large sizes and space between them makes the remote easy to use. Practical features like an integrated tether loop make the remote easy to find and prevent it from getting lost under the seats. This makes the user experience for the child and parent more convenient and enjoyable.
The design direction was to aim for a refined yet playful aesthetic. The overall shape was kept smooth and the buttons and icons large to accommodate a child's hand. It became apparent from early research and observation, that having a way to prevent the remote from getting lost under the seat or between the cushions was going to be an important consideration. To address this, one key idea that emerged was to integrate a tether loop into the design. A tether would allow the remote to be easily accessed by a child in a car seat, keeping it within reach and preventing it from getting lost.
