FOLDiBOOK
university project // a fold-out interactive learning book
FOLDiBOOK is a modular interactive sound book. The product incorporates emerging and intuitive technology, to help young children develop schematic skills and establish interest in the 3D world.
^ FOLDiBOOK concept vid
Technology is an essential tool for the future, yet it is estimated that a child will have in total spent a full year observing some form of digital screen when they reach the age of seven (Ofcom 2012). Are we set to burden early fundamental development and core skills?
Analysing the relationship between children and technology, FOLDiBOOK was developed using critical thinking to support the essential needs of a child’s wellbeing both physically and mentally.
Addictions to the virtual world have been linked to such problems as ‘digital dementia’, social withdrawal and obesity. FOLDiBOOK aims to introduce primitive technology, structured in a physical and intuitive way to positively support learning and strengthen communication between guardian and child.
// the university module
The 'Critical Making' module embraces conceptual development, a process of questioning and evaluating the designed world through the practical making of new concepts, products or services.
The 'Critical Making' module embraces conceptual development, a process of questioning and evaluating the designed world through the practical making of new concepts, products or services.
This expansive university project allowed us, as a team of cross-disciplinary design students, to absorb the activities of 'Critical Making' and embody these methods to tackle a challenge of modern day society.
// choosing a critical issue
This project commenced with a brainstorm, selecting a specific topic or problem in today's world to critically design for. The team were intrigued to understand the potential role that critical making could play within the human computer interaction (HCI) field of design, and in particular to enhance the wellbeing of children.
Through intensive field research, it was discovered that concerns have been flagged over the increasing digital screen time and resultant inactivity of children.
Half of UK households will possess a tablet computer by the end of 2014 (YouGov). With the immediate accessibility of digital products in the home, the team’s attention turned towards the role and subsequent affect of technology in the lives of the younger generation.
In such an important phase of a human’s life, experts warn that the apparent supremacy of technology is resulting children becoming less able to pick up traditional motor skills, crucial to natural early development.
Alongside physical progress issues, there are implications regarding mental health. ‘Digital Dementia’ is a term frequently labelling the deficit of children’s attention, due to the exposure of high-speed digital media content.
// relationship between children and technology
The team recognised the importance of technology throughout society and that digital products are evidently here to stay.
Therefore, the main focus was to embrace technology in a beneficial manner, bridging the gap between the extreme uses of digital devices and traditional areas of childhood.
It was established that young children need to be introduced to technology in a positive manner, by identifying the practical uses of digital products in everyday life through a physical, engaging and stimulating way.
The development of an interactive book was viewed as an effective concept to relate between traditional aspects of childhood and the ever-increasing influence of technology use.
The team tested and realised ideas through the making of experimental pieces and prototypes. Using simple circuit work including coin batteries and LEDs to demonstrate functionality, a range of iterative protoypes were produced.
Visiting a two to three year-old playgroup centre allowed the team to gain an understanding of how children would react to cardboard prototypes that conatined physical interactive puzzles.
Through each experience prototype, the team thereafter collaborated to discuss the user interaction, the viability of each model and certain interactions that could be refined for the final design.
// the final design
FOLDiBOOK is a modular interactive book, with each page of the artefact incorporating an activity to evoke curiosity, exploration and communication within children.
A range of tactile activities are developed in conjunction with creative physical technology to enhance the use a child's fine motor skills. The product was created to contain surprising physical interactions with distinguishable positive feedback.
The unique layout of FOLDiBOOK encourages the child to curiously open each page and reveal the activities.
Unveiling all of the activities transforms FOLDiBOOK into an expansive playmat-style product, encouraging both collaboration and social interaction.
Such tactile activities involve a tangram puzzle. The LEDs within the tractor headlights illuminate when the puzzle is successfully completed! Pressing the loudspeaker symbol also plays the rickety sound of a tractor.
The shape puzzle game allows the guardian to select a question card. The child then places an answer card in the relevant space. An LED will illuminate if the correct answer is selected.
The touch, feel and hear page. When the child touches the conductive black outline of an animal, the sound of that animal can be heard!
The FOLDiBOOK product makes creative use of electric ink and the Touch Board; innovative materials and hardware developed by technology company Bare Conductive.
Bare Conductive produce these electronic tools to inspire the creation of interactive projects.
It was a privilege to discover that Bare Conductive posted an article on their website that showcased the FOLDiBOOK project, describing how the team integrated both their electric paint and Touch Board within the final prototype.
Electronic ink resembles any other water-based paint, except that it's electrically conductive. This gave the team the opportunity to intergrate this innovative material within FOLDiBOOK, using the paint to draw a range of circuits and sensors.
The electric paint was also used in conjunction with the Touch Board to enable capacitive touch. This piece of hardware was particularly useful for creating the animal noises within the touch, feel and hear page!
// Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire, 2015
FOLDiBOOK MK II made an appearance at the Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire in April of 2015! Click here to find out a bit more.
The Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire, organised by the Edinburgh International Science Festival, is a celebration of DIY culture in all shapes and forms, allowing makers and tinkerers to showcase their work to the curious public.
