ToyUp is a digital technology product designed to foster stronger connections and enhance interactions between students, teachers, and parents. By bridging communication gaps, ToyUp aims to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Project Type
Game Design and Product Mockup
Role
User Research, Ideation, Product Mockup
Tools
Figma, Illustrator
ToyUp’s flagship product, Link, is a smart companion that fosters children’s emotional well-being and engagement while keeping parents informed about their child’s growth and learning. It provides real-time updates, progress reports, and actionable insights, ensuring parents stay connected to their child’s academic and social experiences.
What is the problem?
Parents struggle to maintain consistent communication with teachers and stay updated on their child’s emotional and educational development. Limited parent-teacher interactions and children’s difficulty in expressing their needs create gaps in information flow, leading to parental anxiety and missed opportunities for support.
"How might we bridge the communication gap between parents, teachers, and children to ensure parents stay informed about their child’s emotional and educational development in real-time?"
Sneak Peek into the Solution
Link
Link Companion Device
Tailored property suggestions based on user preferences
Parent Engagement Platform
Enhanced with AI-driven Q&A
Teacher Collaboration Tools
Real-time community information
Play Observations and Interviews
Observing children in monitored environment helped to identify how they learn/interact with toys. Interviewing the parents helped to find what they would like to see in a learning-toy like Link.
Attention span is very limited.
A child will engage longer with a toy that is too advanced for them.
The idea of limitless knowledge is exciting for kids.
Organic, in-the-moment, and readily available learning is ideal. In a sense, a toy that can keep up with them.
Following a steady, grade-based curriculum would be most advantageous.
Mapping the Journey
Approximately 10% of children aged 3 to 17 in the United States have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders, and 4% with depression, conditions often linked to feelings of isolation.
These statistics highlight the significant number of children who may benefit from companionship and enhanced social support.
Simulation of a game
Shaping Playful Learning - Designing Engaging Experiences for Link
Opportunity
Creating a Connected Learning Ecosystem - A digital companion that combines interactive and playful elements to enhance children’s engagement in education.
Happy Path Information Architecture
Site map to outline key features and pages for a valuable parent experience.
Product Mockup
Learnings
Effective Communication is Key: Real-time communication between parents, children, and teachers significantly reduces parental anxiety and strengthens support systems.
User-Centric Design is Essential: By focusing on the needs of parents, children, and teachers, we were able to create a solution that is intuitive and valuable.
Iterate Based on Feedback: Continuous usability testing allowed for refinement and ensured the platform was accessible, functional, and engaging for all users.
