Next Generation Play
Move Kids From Consumption to Creation
The Intention
We all can get so absorbed into screens, especially kids. Yet, what if we could design with a lasting purpose to move kids from consumption to creation?
My Role
Principal Product Designer
Product Design and Concepts
UX Design
Art Direction
Video Production and Editing
Extra Credit
Swiss Work
René van de Hulsbeek – Product Lead
Casper van Huisstede – UX Design
Handmade Internal – Amsterdam
Sjoerd Smit – Product Lead
Casper van Huisstede – UX Design
Jesse Meijers – UX and Prototyping
Robbin Kwa – UX and Prototyping
Timeline
This project was split into two parts
From Consumption to Creation
(6 weeks)
How could we help parents see their mobile devices not as a baby sitter for their kids, but a creative tool for kids to positively engage with technology?
From Building Toys to Building Play
(6 weeks)
At first, we used this internal project at Handmade to craft a building toy of Lego meets Mr. Potato Head. But we shifted the product to something similar and singular.
Part ONE
Swiss Work
This research project was first started with a large Swiss technology company. I was one of three Product / UX designers that went to Switzerland for a month to help. Our goal was to engage kids with positive experiences with technology.
Week 1: Brainstorm tons of working concepts and map out general product experiences.
Weeks 2-4: After picking three concepts, we’d spend one week for each concept to build a prototype.
On Monday, we’d start designing a product experience.
On Friday, kids would come in to test our toy prototype.
Part TWO
Amsterdam Internal
The Swiss company didn’t move forward with the project, yet Handmade was inspired to keep exploring toys in a different direction. And so we made it our own. We looked into current trends, and researched the impact of smart devices on kids.
At Handmade, we saw big opportunity in open-ended play (playing without specific goals). Child psychology tells of the importance of open-ended play. It’s here that kids can process their own emotions and experiences in healthy ways. We focused on two different directions for open-ended play:
Building Toy
This first concept was revolved around the If-This-Then-That (IFTTT) approach to programming. Plug in a sensing widget, get an output (actuator). It was a sort of Mr. Potato Head type toy mixed with Lego Technic to create surprising results for kids.
Building Play
After creating the Building Toy concept, we looked at ways the toy could be simpler. Instead of having a series of widgets, we decided to create a single “ring” toy with different inputs/outputs built into one, and controlled with a mobile app.
My Sketching Process
I begin my work in tangible expressions. Some people have a temptation to jump straight into computer work. I like to get away from the computer to think deeper and brainstorm. There’s something special about literally putting pen to paper to form new ideas.
Project Trailer
After designing the foundational elements, we created a video which was presented to companies interested in pursuing this product. Below is the teaser.
My Role
Script-writing
Directing & camera
Production & editing.