Curio
Curio
A portable space of play and
wonder for hospitalized children
A portable space of play and
wonder for hospitalized children
TIMELINE
PROJECT TYPE
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
TIMELINE
PROJECT TYPE
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
TIMELINE
PROJECT TYPE
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
Three Weeks
Branding, Experience Design
Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Figma
Case Study, Branded Materials, Presentation Deck
Three Weeks
Branding, Experience Design
Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Figma
Case Study, Branded Materials, Presentation Deck
COLLBORATORS
Kenzi Miller, John Luke Grob, Mateo de los Cobos
COLLABORATORS
COLLABORATORS
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
Ideation, Seamstress
Ideation, Seamstress
Overview
The Curio Tray is a companion for hospitalized children, allowing them to play and create freely without leaving their bed. The tray features a surface area for the child to create on; this area is able to flip to allow for more creative processes. A backpack is available to transport the tray, as well as a drawstring bag to hold whatever games are offered for that age group of children.
The Curio Tray is a companion for hospitalized children, allowing them to play and create freely without leaving their bed. The tray features a surface area for the child to create on; this area is able to flip to allow for more creative processes. A backpack is available to transport the tray, as well as a drawstring bag to hold whatever games are offered for that age group of children.
Brief
As a group, create a design philosophy based on the beliefs of historical designers. Use this philosophy as a guiding force to create a prototype meant for children’s play.
As a group, create a design philosophy based on the beliefs of historical designers. Use this philosophy as a guiding force to create a prototype meant for children’s play.
How might we give hospitalized bedridden children the tools they need to spark imagination and amplify their development in a static and frightening environment?
How might we give hospitalized bedridden children the tools they need to spark imagination and amplify their development in a static and frightening environment?
Philosophy
Good design scratches an “itch”. This “itch” prompts invention, which embodies the individual’s wonder. Giving children the tools they need to spark imagination and amplify their development allows them to tap into wonder, though it may not yet have a direction. They must be provided with tools to create their own solutions.
This idea was derived from the ideas of Dieter Rams and Alma Siedhoff-Buscher.
Good design scratches an “itch”. This “itch” prompts invention, which embodies the individual’s wonder. Giving children the tools they need to spark imagination and amplify their development allows them to tap into wonder, though it may not yet have a direction. They must be provided with tools to create their own solutions.
This idea was derived from the ideas of Dieter Rams and Alma Siedhoff-Buscher.
Process
Once the foundation of the philosophy was laid, we knew we wanted to create space for children to play. We selected our audience of hospitalized children out of empathy and compassion. This boundary created a unique challenge: how can we create something that is stationary, yet full of opportunity?
An opportunity arose to create a station of play with various levels of objects included in order to suit different age groups. We designated the name “Curio” to point to the concept of curiosity. We found it important for children to have something they can control while in the hospital, an environment with little to no control of the admitted.
Once the foundation of the philosophy was laid, we knew we wanted to create space for children to play. We selected our audience of hospitalized children out of empathy and compassion. This boundary created a unique challenge: how can we create something that is stationary, yet full of opportunity?
An opportunity arose to create a station of play with various levels of objects included in order to suit different age groups. We designated the name “Curio” to point to the concept of curiosity. We found it important for children to have something they can control while in the hospital, an environment with little to no control of the admitted.
Results
The tray itself features a base that includes storage, with a “lid” that is unique to the activities available to that specific tray. The Preschool tray is featured below, but Infant, Toddler, and Elementary versions are also available. The tray is housed in a Curio Backpack that perfectly fits the tray, as well as any additional games and toys the child desires.
The tray itself features a base that includes storage, with a “lid” that is unique to the activities available to that specific tray. The Preschool tray is featured below, but Infant, Toddler, and Elementary versions are also available. The tray is housed in a Curio Backpack that perfectly fits the tray, as well as any additional games and toys the child desires.
