Blockuits

Paweena Prachanronarong

Blockuits is an exploration in the design of construction sets for children, resulting in three prototypes that all have simple interfaces, interactions and electronic outputs.

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Blockuits is an exploration in the design of construction sets for children, resulting in three prototypes. All prototypes have simple interfaces, interactions and electronic outputs. These interactive toys foster creativity and artistic expression while introducing children to cause and effect and basic principles of circuitry.

The first prototype is a wooden block set that incorporates buzzers, LEDs and vibration boards, built upon a magnetic power base for modularity and fastening. Each block also has embedded magnets painted over with conductive paint, completing the circuit. The second prototype is a set of monster plush toys. The toys are modular, allowing children to snap different heads onto the body, which is the power source. The heads light up, vibrate or buzz. The third prototype is a large, foam block set with electronic outputs, allowing children to build and manipulate spaces. Instead of being 100% screen based, all three toys provide a tactile, three-dimensional, and electronic experience.

 

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About

Paweena Prachanronarong

Paweena Prachanronarong is an interaction designer, thinker, problem solver and artist. She graduated in the Spring of 2013 with an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design, where she focused on pushing the boundaries of simple interfaces and interactions. Her passions lie in the process of developing creative ideas based on research, iteration and testing. She believes this is the road to true innovation and solving problems in novel ways. Paweena has created a broad range of work including a thesis that is an exploration in construction sets for children of the 21st century. As a research fellow, she led a team of students to develop a mobile platform that supports medical inventory reporting via text message in rural indigenous communities of Guatemala. Professionally, Paweena is well-versed in both digital and graphic design, and has created a wide range of work in the web, ad, television, and marketing domains for clients such as Delta Dental, Tetra, and Virginia Tourism Authority.

Faculty

Thesis Studio

  • Katherine Moriwaki
  • Katherine Moriwaki

Writing and Research

  • Louisa Campbell