My Role
My Role
Researcher, Designer
Researcher, Designer
Duration
Duration
1 year（2019.8 - 2020.6）
1 year（2019.8 - 2020.6）
Team
Yun Ru Chen
Emotion-Playing is an innovative set of toys that let children express their emotions!
Emotion-Playing is an innovative set of toys that let children express their emotions!
Emotion-Playing is an innovative set of toys that let children express their emotions!
Current Trend & Problems
Current Trend & Problems
Research
Research
Research
Research indicates a close connection between emotional understanding and the development of many social skills in young children.
Research indicates a close connection between emotional understanding and the development of many social skills in young children.
Research indicates a close connection between emotional understanding and the development of many social skills in young children.
Problems
Problems
Problems
We observed that most products on the market set fixed scenarios, limiting teachers in customizing content to help children empathize with their own situations.
We observed that most products on the market set fixed scenarios, limiting teachers in customizing content to help children empathize with their own situations.
We observed that most products on the market set fixed scenarios, limiting teachers in customizing content to help children empathize with their own situations.
Our Goal
Our Goal
Our Goal
We decided to develop a set of innovative toys which can let children express their emotions.
We decided to develop a set of innovative toys which can let children express their emotions.
We decided to develop a set of innovative toys which can let children express their emotions.
Our Values
Express and Release Emotion: Children find stress relief through pinching and squeezing various role models crafted from diverse materials. Additionally, they use role-playing as a means to express their emotions.
Fun and Flexibility: We provide several choices to children to play flexible and fun.
Connection: By engaging in role-play activities, children can effectively demonstrate the scenarios and emotions they are experiencing to their teachers. This process significantly aids teachers in gaining deeper insights into each child's individual experiences, fostering stronger bonds and connections between them.
Express and
Release Emotion
Fun and
Flexibility
Connection
Research
Research
Observe, Research, and Analyze
Observe, Research, and Analyze
Observe, Research, and Analyze
We visited three Taipei kindergartens, observed classrooms, and documented teaching materials. Our analysis highlighted challenges teachers face, notably in gender issues, emotional education, and discussions on life and death. After consultations with experts, we've chosen 'emotional education' as our main focus.
We visited three Taipei kindergartens, observed classrooms, and documented teaching materials. Our analysis highlighted challenges teachers face, notably in gender issues, emotional education, and discussions on life and death. After consultations with experts, we've chosen 'emotional education' as our main focus.
We visited three Taipei kindergartens, observed classrooms, and documented teaching materials. Our analysis highlighted challenges teachers face, notably in gender issues, emotional education, and discussions on life and death. After consultations with experts, we've chosen 'emotional education' as our main focus.
Define, Ideate, and Interview
Define, Ideate, and Interview
Define, Ideate, and Interview
We scouted toy stores and bookshops for existing emotional education toys, finding that limited flexibility in usage was a common issue. To address this, we hold weekly progress discussions with professors and maintain a partnership with 'Da Long Kindergarten' in Yuanshan District. Biweekly visits involve sharing sketches and models for teacher input, affirming our design direction.
We scouted toy stores and bookshops for existing emotional education toys, finding that limited flexibility in usage was a common issue. To address this, we hold weekly progress discussions with professors and maintain a partnership with 'Da Long Kindergarten' in Yuanshan District. Biweekly visits involve sharing sketches and models for teacher input, affirming our design direction.
We scouted toy stores and bookshops for existing emotional education toys, finding that limited flexibility in usage was a common issue. To address this, we hold weekly progress discussions with professors and maintain a partnership with 'Da Long Kindergarten' in Yuanshan District. Biweekly visits involve sharing sketches and models for teacher input, affirming our design direction.
Sketch, Discuss, and Prototype
Sketch, Discuss, and Prototype
Sketch, Discuss, and Prototype
The preliminary investigation, research, and interviews took approximately six months. After confirming the direction, we started creating and refining the models. We brainstormed a plenty of approaches to play, and draw those sketches together.
The preliminary investigation, research, and interviews took approximately six months. After confirming the direction, we started creating and refining the models. We brainstormed a plenty of approaches to play, and draw those sketches together.
The preliminary investigation, research, and interviews took approximately six months. After confirming the direction, we started creating and refining the models. We brainstormed a plenty of approaches to play, and draw those sketches together.
The biggest challenge we faced...
The biggest challenge we faced...
The biggest challenge we faced...
What kind of materials evoke certain feelings in people?
What materials are stress-relieving?
Are these materials safe for children?
What kind of materials evoke certain feelings in people?
What materials are stress-relieving?
Are these materials safe for children?
What kind of materials evoke certain feelings in people?
What materials are stress-relieving?
Are these materials safe for children?
We surveyed toy stores and material outlets extensively, documenting tactile, auditory, and visual aspects through pictures. Multiple interviews confirmed stress-relief levels and safety.
We surveyed toy stores and material outlets extensively, documenting tactile, auditory, and visual aspects through pictures. Multiple interviews confirmed stress-relief levels and safety.
We surveyed toy stores and material outlets extensively, documenting tactile, auditory, and visual aspects through pictures. Multiple interviews confirmed stress-relief levels and safety.
Collect Feedback, Test, and Optimize
Collect Feedback, Test, and Optimize
Collect Feedback, Test, and Optimize
First test ( children play toys without teacher’s guide)
During the test, we found that children are very interested in roles’ materials and spent plenty time on touching it. However, they do not pay any attention to other elements.
First test ( children play toys without teacher’s guide)
During the test, we found that children are very interested in roles’ materials and spent plenty time on touching it. However, they do not pay any attention to other elements.
First test ( children play toys without teacher’s guide)
During the test, we found that children are very interested in roles’ materials and spent plenty time on touching it. However, they do not pay any attention to other elements.
Second test ( children play toys with teacher )
During the test, we observed teachers demonstrating gameplay with children. While the children showed curiosity and enjoyment in storing toys using storage boxes, they exhibited limited use of situation cards, despite the teacher's demonstration.
Second test ( children play toys with teacher )
During the test, we observed teachers demonstrating gameplay with children. While the children showed curiosity and enjoyment in storing toys using storage boxes, they exhibited limited use of situation cards, despite the teacher's demonstration.
Second test ( children play toys with teacher )
During the test, we observed teachers demonstrating gameplay with children. While the children showed curiosity and enjoyment in storing toys using storage boxes, they exhibited limited use of situation cards, despite the teacher's demonstration.
Outcomes
After these tests, we decided to combine the situation cards with storage boxes to store the situation cards in a fun way. Increase children's willingness to use these cards.
Outcomes
After these tests, we decided to combine the situation cards with storage boxes to store the situation cards in a fun way. Increase children's willingness to use these cards.
Outcomes
After these tests, we decided to combine the situation cards with storage boxes to store the situation cards in a fun way. Increase children's willingness to use these cards.
Main Features
Main Features
Feature
Feature
Feature
1
1
Roles made of diverse texture
Roles made of diverse texture
Roles made of diverse texture
Ten roles with different textures, each with its own unique tactile sensation. Engaging toddlers through appearance, color, and shapes. Children can explore by touching, feeling, and triggering role sounds. This tactile experience helps shift attention and soothe emotions.
Ten roles with different textures, each with its own unique tactile sensation. Engaging toddlers through appearance, color, and shapes. Children can explore by touching, feeling, and triggering role sounds. This tactile experience helps shift attention and soothe emotions.
Feature
Feature
Feature
2
2
Facial features stickers
Facial features stickers
Facial features stickers
After soothing toddlers emotions, they can freely attach diverse facial features onto roles to express feelings. Through role-playing, toddlers can interpret the process and emotions of events. Even if they haven't fully developed expressive abilities.
After soothing toddlers emotions, they can freely attach diverse facial features onto roles to express feelings. Through role-playing, toddlers can interpret the process and emotions of events. Even if they haven't fully developed expressive abilities.
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Individual facial expressions are suitable for preschoolers in middle and senior classes.
Combined facial expressions are suitable for preschoolers in junior classes. (Given that their cognitive development is still immature, common emotions like sadness, surprise, crying, anger, and happiness are provided for children to choose from.)
Individual facial expressions are suitable for preschoolers in middle and senior classes.
Combined facial expressions are suitable for preschoolers in junior classes. (Given that their cognitive development is still immature, common emotions like sadness, surprise, crying, anger, and happiness are provided for children to choose from.)
Individual facial expressions are suitable for preschoolers in middle and senior classes.
Combined facial expressions are suitable for preschoolers in junior classes. (Given that their cognitive development is still immature, common emotions like sadness, surprise, crying, anger, and happiness are provided for children to choose from.)
Feature
Feature
Feature
3
3
Situation Card
Situation Card
Situation Card
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Ten common corners in a kindergarten setting. Toddlers can choose the location where the event occurs, then act out and elaborate on the causes and details of the event.
Ten common corners in a kindergarten setting. Toddlers can choose the location where the event occurs, then act out and elaborate on the causes and details of the event.
We observed three kindergartens in Taipei and summarized ten common scenarios:
Dramatic play area, classroom whiteboard area, restroom, school entrance, playground, arts and crafts area, reading corner, puzzle area, corridors, and pathways.
Feature
Feature
Feature
4
4
Storage Box
Storage Box
Storage Box
This is a ten-sided storage box, each corner designed for individual storage space. The door curtains use materials and colors associated with the roles, indicating the correct storage place for children.
This is a ten-sided storage box, each corner designed for individual storage space. The door curtains use materials and colors associated with the roles, indicating the correct storage place for children.
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
Donation project
Setting of donation (bottom sheet)
The appearance resembling a mysterious box aims to make the process of tidying up fun and intriguing for the children.
The appearance resembling a mysterious box aims to make the process of tidying up fun and intriguing for the children.
Situation cards are magnetically attached to the outside of the box. Both the cards and the box have corresponding icons, indicating the correct placement for children.
The collection of facial features stickers is stored at the top of the box and also adhered using magnets.
Situation cards are magnetically attached to the outside of the box. Both the cards and the box have corresponding icons, indicating the correct placement for children.
The collection of facial features stickers is stored at the top of the box and also adhered using magnets.
↓ Check out our video ↓
↓ Check out our video ↓
↓ Check out our video ↓
Reflection
Reflection
This experience was truly unforgettable, sparking my passion for education studies. I thought the most valuable part was that testing with teachers and children which is the time we can gained their real feedback.
There were some points that I still want to optimize. Firstly, the size of the Storage Box; the current size may be a burden to classroom. Secondly, I really wanted to spend more time on exploring Roles’ potential and making it more functional, as children loved it a lots and I believed that they can gain other benefits from playing it.
This experience was truly unforgettable, sparking my passion for education studies. I thought the most valuable part was that testing with teachers and children which is the time we can gained their real feedback.
There were some points that I still want to optimize. Firstly, the size of the Storage Box; the current size may be a burden to classroom. Secondly, I really wanted to spend more time on exploring Roles’ potential and making it more functional, as children loved it a lots and I believed that they can gain other benefits from playing it.
Our Values
Express and Release Emotion: Children find stress relief through pinching and squeezing various role models crafted from diverse materials. Additionally, they use role-playing as a means to express their emotions.
Fun and Flexibility: We provide several choices to children to play flexible and fun.
Connection: By engaging in role-play activities, children can effectively demonstrate the scenarios and emotions they are experiencing to their teachers. This process significantly aids teachers in gaining deeper insights into each child's individual experiences, fostering stronger bonds and connections between them.
Express and
Release Emotion
Fun and
Flexibility
Connection
Check another project...
JkoPay: Donation Feature Revamp
Check another project...
JkoPay: Donation Feature Revamp
Our Values
Express and Release Emotion: Children find stress relief through pinching and squeezing various role models crafted from diverse materials. Additionally, they use role-playing as a means to express their emotions.
Fun and Flexibility: We provide several choices to children to play flexible and fun.
Connection: By engaging in role-play activities, children can effectively demonstrate the scenarios and emotions they are experiencing to their teachers. This process significantly aids teachers in gaining deeper insights into each child's individual experiences, fostering stronger bonds and connections between them.
Fun and
Flexibility
Express and
Release Emotion
Connection
Check another project...
JkoPay: Donation Feature Revamp
Feel free to contact me 👋🏻
Feel free to contact me 👋🏻