Design a fridge

Asked at Wayfair. Make it harder? Design for kids

Today’s question is trivial but recently one of my friend at 1mg Senior PM interview was asked this question - Design a vehicle for Mars.

Let’s jump to the solution.

1️⃣ Clarifying questions

Before jumping into solutions, I'd ask some key clarifying questions to define the problem space:

• Target age group – Are we designing for toddlers (2-5 years) or older kids (6-12 years)?

• Primary users – Is this fridge for kids to use independently, or will parents also use it?

• Use case – Is it a personal snack fridge, a kid-friendly section in a family fridge, or an educational tool for healthy eating? (Prioritised: a kid-friendly section in a family fridge)

• Fridge type – Are we designing a brand-new kids friendly family fridge (expensive, space-heavy) or modifying existing fridge at home (affordable, scalable)? (Prioritized: brand new fridge, modification would be costly & hard to plug & play features for kids)

• Constraints – Are there size, budget, or safety limitations?

• Business goals – Are we building a premium niche product or a mass-market solution?

• Geography & regulations – Are we targeting a global market or localizing for specific regions?

• Accessibility needs – Should we consider specially-abled children in our design?

• Setting – Will this fridge be used in homes, schools, or daycare centers?

Goal: Design a safe, accessible, and kid-friendly fridge that allows children to independently store and retrieve food while ensuring parental control and safety

2️⃣ Key stakeholders

👩‍👦 Parents – Want kids to safely access food, especially when they aren’t home
👦 Kids – Need an easy, fun, and safe way to access stored food
🏭 Fridge manufacturers – Want differentiation in a competitive market

3️⃣ User needs

✅ Must-have features (MVP)

• 🔓 Accessibility –

  • Soft handles at a lower mid-section for easy reach

  • Rounded edges to prevent bumps and bruises

  • Non-toxic materials and BPA-free plastics for compartments

• 👶 Ease of use –

  • Lower compartments with easy pull-out drawers for kid-friendly snacks.

  • Step stool integration for slightly younger kids to reach higher shelves safely.

  • Moderated temperature to prevent extreme cold exposure.

  • Transparent sections so kids can see their options without opening the fridge too long.

  • Kid-friendly UI (touchscreen panel with icons, easy-to-read labels) (good to have)

  • Voice-guided instructions to help kids use the fridge (good to have)

• 📲 Parental control –

  • App-based fridge locking to restrict access to specific compartments

  • Remote temperature control & usage tracking via mobile app

  • Time-based access (e.g., snack section unlocks at specific time)

• 🛡️ Safety features –

  • Anti-topple design for stability

  • Electric shock-proofing to prevent accidents

  • Spill sensors that notify parents if food/liquid is spilled (good to have)

🎨 Good-to-have (Future enhancements)

• Playful design – Bright colors, interactive sounds, and lights to engage kids

• Gamification

  • Kids earn points for organizing the fridge properly or choosing healthy snacks

  • Customizable exteriors with whiteboard/magnetic surfaces for doodling

  • Smart screen integration with animated characters suggesting healthy choices

• AR/VR guide – Virtual assistant to teach kids about food storage & nutrition

• Voice assistant for reminders (e.g., “Drink water, Alex!”)

🚀 Moonshot Idea

🤖 AI-powered robotic fridge assistant that listens to kids' voice commands, serves food, and syncs with parental controls.

4️⃣ Solution approach

• Accessibility: Lower handles, soft-close doors, and a lightweight door mechanism

• Ease of use: Kid-friendly temp settings, guided voice instructions, and snack compartments.

• Parental control: App-based locking, usage tracking, and scheduled fridge access

• Safety: Anti-topple base, shock-proof internals, and mess-detection sensors

5️⃣ Trade-offs & decision framework

Key trade-offs:

• New fridge for kids vs. multi purpose fridge: A new fridge for kids adds cost & space constraints, while a multi purpose fridge ensures affordability and faster adoption

• Adoption challenges: Couples who already own a fridge have to buy a new kids friendly fridge.

  • Evaluate options for modifying existing fridges for kids w.r.t cost, time etc.

• More features vs. simplicity: Adding AR/VR & AI assistants sounds futuristic but increases complexity & price.

  • Prioritizing core safety and usability makes adoption easier

• Mass-market vs. premium pricing: A premium kids-only fridge limits adoption, but a kid-friendly add-on kit makes it more accessible

Decision-making framework:

• Impact vs. cost vs. feasibility – Prioritize high-impact, low-cost, easily implementable features in MVP

6️⃣ GTM (Go-to-market) strategy

• Target audience: Millennial parents with kids aged 4-10 years who value safety and convenience

• Retail channels:

  • D2C (Direct-to-consumer) via e-commerce platforms (Amazon, brand websites)

  • Partnerships with furniture & kitchen appliance stores

  • School & daycare networks for targeted promotions

• Pricing: Mid-pre`mium positioning (~20% markup over standard fridges with added features)

7️⃣ Success metrics

• Adoption: % of families choosing a kid-friendly fridge over a regular one

• Engagement: Usage frequency of smart features like parental controls & gamification

• Impact on eating habits: Increase in healthy snack consumption based on fridge tracking.

• Safety metrics: Reduction in fridge-related accidents among kids

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I hope you gave a shot at today’s question!

Do add your comments :)