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a place to tell a grandparent’s stories

Jacqueline Hon Product Design Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz
“Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.”
- Lois Wyse
(1926 - 2007)

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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CONTENTS PAGE

Introduction Design

What the problem is 5 Brainstorming 10
Why there is a problem 6 Initial criteria 11
Further brainstorming 12
Ideas in sketches 14
Research Revised criteria 16

Narrowing down to one idea 17
Understanding the users 7
Concept development 18
Existing solutions 8
Problem statement 9
Final Product

Drawings 20
Paper Model 21
Cocoon 22
Scenary Options 23
User Scenario 24

Bibliography 25
INTRODUCTION: what the problem is

Modern technology has allowed human beings to migrate away from their home, permanently and temporarily,
to other places that were once impossible. These people may have moved for higher education opportunities, a
better living standard and/or for refuge/asylum.

In the United States alone, more than 20.4% persons are foreign born. Between 1990-2000, more than
13,000,000 people were foreign born, and out of those, 54..7% were from Latin America, while 26.8% were
from Asia.

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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INTRODUCTION: why there is a problem

When a family decides to immigrate to a new


country, older members of the family may not
choose to follow suit because they do not want Since the 1960s, the number of foreign-born
to leave their home; where their roots are. people in the US has increased. In terms of absolute
numbers, this number is at its highest point in history.
When a second generation is born in the According to US Census Bureau 2003 Current
new country, they may not get to meet their Population Survey (CPS) data, 33.5 million foreign
grandparents or see them often because their born lived in the US, representing about 11.7
grandparents have chosen to remain in their percent of the entire population.
old home.

A language barrier may exist due to education


differences. So when the grandparents do see
their grandchildren, they may have trouble
Approximately 53.3 percent of these foreign-born
communicating with each other.
persons originate from Latin America, 25.0 percent
from Asia, 13.7 percent from Europe, and 8.0 percent
Traditions in the family that include the
from other regions of the world, such as Africa and
grandparents may also be lost because the
Oceania.
elderly are not there to celebrate or engage in
the tradition together.
RESEARCH: understanding the users

Children ages 5-7 Grandparenting


Emotional and Mental Development What they should do
1. has strong relationships within the family and integral place in family
1. Make themselves available, being present allows for
dynamics
grandchild to build relationship.
2. generally anxious to please and to gain adult approval, praise and
2. Increase their knowledge and experience interacting with
reassurance
young children
3. reassured by predictable routines
3. Be attentive to their grandchild’s cues
4. may have mood swings
4. Provide a quick, consistent response to their grandchild’s
5. variable attention and ability to stay on task; attends better if
needs and cues.
interested
5. Express warm, positive and caring attributes.
6. good communication skills, remembers, tells and enjoys jokes
6. Follow grandchild’s lead and cooperate with them.
7. may require verbal, written or behavioural cues and reminders to
7. Avoid overstimulation
follow directions and obey rules
8. Set a good example, grandchild will most likely model their
8. skills in listening and understanding may be more advanced than
own grandparenting after their own grandparent.
expression
9. most valuable learning occurs through play

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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RESEARCH: existing solutions

Telephone Conversation My Memory Quilt Story Books GrandChair Internet Services

Talking on the phone is Photo and theme quilts. Customized to Reading story books is a great Telling stories, singing songs, playing games and Services such like blogs
probably the most conventional each order and hand-made. Used to way to bond with children. It is telling stories about their past: grandparents and customized games are
way of communication when remember special occasions or events more beneficial when stories read and grandchildren interact at different levels available for grandchildren and
apart from each other. It is in the family. $125 to grandchildren have educational with each other. Rocking together will enhance grandparents who are apart
personal and can also create Fridley, Minnesota purposes. the interacting even more. from each other to still interact.
memories design: Jelte van Geest Roger Schank
PROBLEM STATEMENT

Many of us take for granted out relationships with our grandparents. In truth, many of us probably
do not know much about them; their childhood, growing up, and many other stories. Before the
rise of technology, and allowing for migration, generations of the same family lived together,
allowing for communication and care between older generations and younger members in the
family.
However, in the 21st century, 2nd generation immigrants do not see their grandparents often,
leading to a loss of our many diverse, interesting and complex histories. Although the desire to
continue this legacy or tradition of pass knowledge exists, due to technology however the gaps
between generations have become wider.
The bond between grandparents and grandchildren are challenged due to long amounts of
time apart from each other and not having the change to learn about each other.

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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DESIGN: brainstorming

Coming up with the design criteria for the product keeping in mind both grandparents and grandchildren.
Product needs to be something that
-encourages interaction
-accommodates the restricted movement of elderly
-something fun for both children and grandparents
DESIGN: initial criteria

Product aims:
To enhance the experience when grandparent
and grandchild spend time together.

To encourage interaction between grandchild


and grandparent; whether it be physical or
emotional

To be enjoying and relaxing.

To allow grandparent and grandchild to be


able to create common memories with each
other.

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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DESIGN: further brainstorming

Brainstorming for functions of


what the product may need
to have or perform by thinking
about how a relationship is built
between two people
DESIGN: further brainstorming

Initial brainstorming for product,


what can be used as a theme
for product;
games, story-telling, books, etc.

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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DESIGN: ideas in sketches

A pillow which can record and Using the idea of making-your-own- A rocking chair that can record A tent-like structure for grandparent and A pillow that can play music, voice of grandparent or
play the grandparent talking bear, grandparent and grandchild messages, send them wirelessly to grandchild to rest their heads in. Providing grandchild, and also have a volume control. Ideally,
or telling a story. The pillow will make the bear together and an email or cellular device, as well as an enclosed space for story-telling, grandparent and grandchild would each have one and be
can also provide warmth and record things for each other to listen receive and play messages from a conversations and/or just sleeping. OLED able to share songs, and exchange recorded messages for
comfort. to whilst away from each other. different party. This is aimed for the display of the ceiling can show images to each other.
grandparent. simulate different environments.
DESIGN: ideas in sketches

A three-dimensional puzzle for the grandparent A chair for grandparent and grandchild to simulate An interactive board game that allows the whole A hi-tech cube about the size of a child’s hand.
and grandchild. Exchange pieces every couple of the idea of sitting on the lap. But chair is also family to play together. Player follows paths to This block shows different characteristics when
months with voice recorded message. Magnetic collapsible to sit only one person. designated circles which provide instructions on interacted with. For example, squeezing will create
branches to add on family members. what that player has to do; mimic a family member, sound; perhaps voice recordings of grandparent,
say a truth about them.. . .etc. throwing may trigger a mini projector to project
visuals to engage child. When put together

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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DESIGN: revised criteria

To encourage interaction between grandchild and grandparent; whether it be physical or emotional

To provide an intimate environment that will inspire story-telling between the grandparent and grandchild.

To encourage grandparent and grandchild to build a routine when visiting each other.

To allow grandparent and grandchild to be able to create common memories with each other.

To be collapsible and quite mobile.


DESIGN: narrowing down to one idea

Choosing to go with the cocoon concept


because it agrees with the product criteria
more.

-creating an intimate space for story-telling

-building a routine together

-creating common memories together


Board game/puzzle Cocoon/Pod

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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DESIGN: concept development

Looking at man made Looking at nature. Where


structures and taking ideas enclosures are intimate
for structure and form. and self made.
DESIGN: concept development

Still looking at different forms for the cocoon/pod concept.


-Turning a hammock upside down
-Hanging something from the ceiling rather than creating something from the ground up
-Using human forms to create shapes that resemble a ‘pod’
-Using more mathematical methods to create a ‘nest’ or ‘cocoon’

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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FINAL PRODUCT: drawings

Final design: Cocoon


1 2

Cocoon was inspired by nature’s ability to create their own enclosure for growth and 1) A final drawing of what the form of the product will take. A collopsible roof that is
development. This product in essence is about the same idea, it is where grandchildren made of plastic sheets embedded with FOLED technology. The bottom is a cushion
can grow and develop with their grandparents by their side. While spending time with to support the head and shoulders of the users.
their grandparents in Cocoon, they are able to build a relationship and form a long-
lasting bond with each other. This is the aim of this product, provide a place/space 2) Stating dimensions and other characteristics of Cocoon; changing displays of roof,
for grandparents and their grandchildren to spend time telling stories, talking, playing speakers and CD/DVD for display option.
games and even taking naps. These activities when completed together will naturally
form bonds between the grandparent and grandchild.
FINAL PRODUCT: paper model

Back view Front view with roof closed Side view with roof collapsed

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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FINAL DESIGN: Cocoon

1
1 Top View
2 Oblique
2 3
3 Side View
FINAL DESIGN: scenary options

Blue sky Space Jungle Beach

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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FINAL DESIGN: user scenario

every rare visit

Bob’s Family immigrates to another Bob’s family brings him to see his It’s almost bed time, grandma brings During the story, grandma lets Bob The product enables grandma and
country, however his grandparents grandparents once in a while. out Cocoon to tell a story. select what he would like to see while Bob to build a relationship and a
have stayed behind. he listens to the story, he chooses the routine. Everytime Bob visits her, he
‘sky’ view. loves going in to Cocoon to have story
time.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE0DF103AF93BA35751C1A967958260
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2005.htm
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfgrandparents03/focus.htm
http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/home/index.jsp
http://www.marketingvox.com/grandparents-spending-billions-on-their-grandchildren-035127/
http://www.cis.umassd.edu/~gleung/nacaf/Timeline.htm
http://www.defense-update.com/features/du-3-05/feature-OLED-4.htm
http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=2255956
http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/home/index.jsp
http://www.gettyimages.com
http://www.flickr.com
http://bowlofnoodle.wordpress.com/
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/oled1.htm

Jacqueline Hon Parsons the New School for Design: Summer Intensive 2008 Professor Robert Rabinovitz

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