Spiffy The Robot: A Projector Toy

Designed To “Play For Communication”

Designed for a 14-week project at ArtCenter College of Design. Skills acquired during this project

  • 3D modelling

  • 3D printing

  • Finishing 3D printed models

  • Conducting expert interviews

  • Conducting user research

  • Keyshot

  • Designing around a mechanical package

  • Creating user personas

  • using idea generating tools

How It Works

Spiffy is a language learning toy for pre-school aged children. It works by mounting to a wall and projecting digital play mats on the floor of a classroom. The play mats instruct the children in three different forms of communication. Children then play the games alongside their teacher who models understanding of mulitmodal communication. The players progress is tracked by special wristbands

Wristbands

The wristbands allow Spiffy to track the location of the players during the course of the game.

Intended for use in classrooms, Spiffy projects a play-mat and instructs users on how to play in 3 forms of communication

Positioning Statement:

Help Expose Children To Multimodal Communication In A Playful Way And Adapt The World To Benefit Deaf Children

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

In researching existing language exposure products, I learned how numerous and varied the options for hearing children are, and how limited the selection is for hearing-impaired children.

Concept Development

Form Development

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

Prototype progression

It was soon time to focus on proving the functionality of my project. Which quickly evolved into me testing and adding several additional features, like suction cups in the feet and a bal pivot on the head

3D modelling

I spent a long night 3D Modeling to try to fit all the components into the form I had designed for my product

Early 3D form

This rough shape was built fairly early into the process, as I was still learning how to 3D model in Solidworks

User testing

With permission and cooperation from Momentum for all, an organization that focuses on offering support to children and adults with disabilities, I was able to participate in user testing. I learned that I had to simplify the function of my game. All user testing and photography is used with consent and ethical best practices.

Fabrication