week17_documentation

In this week Tamara introduced us to Mariana Pinheiro. Mariana is a researcher at DSS who has experience on toys for children with disabilities, which is very much in line with our project. During the meeting we tested our prototypes with her for new insights. At the end Mariana showed us what she made in terms of products, from which we could get a lot of inspiration. In one of her project she worked with rubber silicone, which is a very fine material to work with. For us, but also for the children who come into contact with rubber silicone. The research into this material can be found in next week's documentation.

What to show?
In this week we saw the end of sight coming. There were only a few weeks to go until the exhibition of the project. At this moment we had no concrete idea of what we wanted to make. We met to discuss exactly what we wanted to show at the exhibition. In the previous research, we gained various insights into the subject. We then decided to combine these insights into one object. For the presentation of the exhibition we decided to make an end product that (as much as possible) meets the insights we found during this project.

Proceeding with the twister idea
As a team, we decided to show an end product during the exhibition, which includes the various insights we have found. We decided to continue with the twister idea, where the therapeutic exercises come back in the game. The twister idea is a game that meets certain requirements, which are very important in our eyes. We decided to name the game "ColorTouch".

Discussion exhibition

The concept: "ColorTouch"

Introduction
ColorTouch was initially designed to improve the muscles around the hand of children with a spastic hand(s) due to brain damage in their early childhood. These children normally have to do therapeutic exercises that are boring and repetitive. We were asked to make an object that makes the exercises fun again. The game can be played alone or against another person. The boring and repetitive therapeutic exercises are integrated into the board game to make them fun again. The LED screen will show for each player a different assignment (based on the therapeutic exercises), which needs to be performed as accurately and quickly as possible.

How does the game work?
The game can be played alone or against someone else. It works as follows: firstly the LED screen will determine which colour and task you have to follow. The assignments will be explained in the given booklet. As second the LED screen determines which hand can be used. After it is clear which colour, task and hand should be used, you will have to use them according to the digital game board. The game board will register how quickly and accurately you perform the tasks, after which a score will be given. The game is made so that it is accessible to everyone. The difficulty level can be adjusted so that the game remains fun for everyone.

Benefits of the game
• The boring and repetitive therapeutic exercises are integrated into the board game to make them fun again.
• Improve the strength of the muscles around the hand. In the game; hand movement, wrist and dexterity are put to the test.
• Playfulness: the clumsiness of twister can be found back in the board game, which makes the game even more fun.
• Social aspect: the game can be played alone or against another person.
• Mental aspect: by giving the user a goal (score he/she has to achieve), he/she will be more motivated.
• Social & mental aspect : the game is accessible to everyone. The difficulty level can be adjusted so that the game remains fun for everyone.

Description of what the game will look like
For the time being the idea was that we have a rectangular playing field, with pressable discs (4x6 discs) on top of it. Underneath the discs, RGB LEDs will be installed and a button will register when a disc is pressed. On top of the discs comes silicone rubber with different textures.

What does the product consist of?
• The exterior of the product will be made of plexiglass.
• The discs must be able to be pressed.
• Round discs with RGB LEDs underneath.
• An action, color and hand will be assigned on the LED screen.
• Silicone rubber discs.
• The product will add matching sounds to the game.
• Grid of 4 by 6 circles.