Hexter
Project overview: This project requires the designer to meet multiple criteria; including the development of a project timeline, ethnographic research with first-grade students, creation of the project using a pin router and silkscreen equipment, and extensive documentation of the work. The mandate was to create an interactive object for children.
Hexter is a toy that encourages children to play while engaging their minds and interpersonal skills. Hexter's intention is to inspire children to build, communicate and play using a system that allows for individuality as well as co-operative behaviour. This was a team-based project, and our group members shared responsibilities throughout each stage of the design process.
I worked directly with child co-creators to gain their input on a device that could only be made out of plywood, cut on a pin router, and incorporating a screen printed design into the final model.
One of the elements of the project that made it successful is that it allows the users to customize their space, which creates a unique experience for each child.
The co-creators who worked with us were fascinated by their ability to create entirely individual environments, even as the structures grew larger with the addition of more Hexter pieces. Since each piece is the same shape, the children were able to play cooperatively and didn't fight for pieces:
Hexter is a toy that encourages children to play while engaging their minds and interpersonal skills. Hexter's intention is to inspire children to build, communicate and play using a system that allows for individuality as well as co-operative behaviour. This was a team-based project, and our group members shared responsibilities throughout each stage of the design process.
I worked directly with child co-creators to gain their input on a device that could only be made out of plywood, cut on a pin router, and incorporating a screen printed design into the final model.
One of the elements of the project that made it successful is that it allows the users to customize their space, which creates a unique experience for each child.
The co-creators who worked with us were fascinated by their ability to create entirely individual environments, even as the structures grew larger with the addition of more Hexter pieces. Since each piece is the same shape, the children were able to play cooperatively and didn't fight for pieces: