Seek is a system of devices designed to enhance conversations between a parent and child.
Having conversations help parents understand their child, but young kids struggle with communication. Seek collects moments throughout the day to help start the conversation.
Skills
User Research
User Research
Rapid Prototyping
Physical Fabrication
UI Design
Soldiworks CAD
Keyshot Visualization
2023
Parent Quotes Problems
01
“I wish they told me more about how they felt during the day.”
02
“You want to help...but young kids haven’t learned how to communicate well yet”
03
“Because I don’t know, I can’t help”
But there are products on the market?
These are not solutions!
Products such as kids cameras and tracking watches take power away from the child through over-monitoring and lack of privacy.
Seek is unique as a device for both parent and child, given them equal access to information.
Products such as kids cameras and tracking watches take power away from the child through over-monitoring and lack of privacy.
Seek is unique as a device for both parent and child, given them equal access to information.
Proposal
A system of devices for the family to record memories and share stories for bonding
01
Collecting Memories
Seek is a point-and-shoot camera, as well as an activity and sound level tracker
“I love when my son brings home something from school to show me what he did...he always gets me excited to show something I did as well”
02
Easy CarryA compact form with a versatile attachment loop makes Seek easy to carry-and-go
“My kids have so much energy, they’re always moving around”
“As an adult, I’d like to carry something small and more discreet for work”
03
Remote ConnectionCommunicate remotely by squeezing its rubber rim, which sends a vibration to family’s pods.
“When I would drop my son off , he’d always cry. So we used to give him a photo of me and my wife so he’d have us there with him throughout the day”
04
Sharing ConversationsDocking pods transfer collected data to the Seek app. Family can review and talk through the day using the app.
“It's nice to go back and watch old videos to really remember what they were like when they were little. I'm sure I'll re-listen to this recording every few years”
01
Research: Parent Case StudiesTo better understand parent-child relationships, and gain insight into their thoughts and emotions, I worked with 2 sets of parents *For privacy reasons, all names have been changed and no photos are shown
01 Shared Experience
This is an experience for
both the child and the parent
This is an experience for
both the child and the parent
02 Understand Emotions
Parents want to understand and
respond better to their child’s needs
Parents want to understand and
respond better to their child’s needs
03 Record Memories
Parents want to make and
record memories with their children
Parents want to make and
record memories with their children
02
Research: Understanding ChildrenHow do children go through their day and understand their world
Interview with Dr. Erik Thiessen, Professor of Developmental Psychology
Children want to feel listened to
Visits to The Children’s School kindergarten classroom
Each child has different experiences through the same events
Each child has different experiences through the same events
Observing and talking with kindergarten students
Children thrive through physical expression such as drawing or roleplaying
Children thrive through physical expression such as drawing or roleplaying
03
Ideation: Form and feel inspirationsSoft profiles and bright colors to strike a balance between sophistated tech and play
Sketching out initial ideas
Highlighting camera functionality, small size, integrated attachment mechanism
04
Form Refinement through PrototypingStarting off with clean geometric forms reminiscent of my sketched ideas
Turning to pebbles as inspiration for bringing softer profiles back to the device
3D Printed Prototypes
Aimed at refining complex surfacing, ergonomic details, and size variations
01 Triangle
Most similar to modern car fobs
Simple tri-pointed form that leans to consumer tech
Simple tri-pointed form that leans to consumer tech
02 Bean
Bean-inspired shape that is more familiar and friendlier to the childReminiscent of 2000s toy phones
03 Petal
Featuring a divot that breaks an otherwise clean form
Asymmetrical look highlights circular viewfinder05
User Testing with FamiliesThroughout the design process, I would share my prototypes with the kids from the Children School and with the parents I was working with to get their feedback
05
CMF tests in KeyshotTrying out a mixture of matte plastic with brushed metal to balance between consumer tech and toy product
