Kick & Glide Scooter
Role: Lead Engineer | Platform integration and late-stage ownership
I joined the Kick & Glide Scooter project partway through development and assumed lead engineering responsibilities, placing a strong emphasis on a clean transition and clear communication of next steps. The goal was to bring a stability-focused scooter to market for younger riders who were learning to ride on two wheels for the first time. The design prioritized safety and confidence, incorporating a wide deck, thicker tires, and a low ride height to provide a smooth and stable learning experience.
To accelerate progress on a condensed timeline, I identified and integrated components and ergonomic features from other Radio Flyer products. This strategic reuse allowed the team to stay on schedule while maintaining consistent design standards across product lines. I also optimized the deck’s proportions and surface geometry to improve comfort and control for younger users.
A key technical challenge in this project involved the in-mold labeling process used to apply deck graphics. The thin edges of the original label design caused movement during molding, leading to inconsistent visual quality and increased scrap. I worked closely with the industrial design team to revise the artwork, removing delicate areas and strengthening critical features of the graphic to ensure consistent, high-quality application without sacrificing aesthetic impact.
The scooter launched on time and at target cost, and it received strong customer feedback for both its quality and ride experience.