polk-a-thot

Poor

Working

Memory

Dyslexia

Social Problems

- lack of confidence- low self-esteem- anxiety

“SCHOOL SUCKS!”

Lack of

Concentration

Challenged

Literary Skills

Dyslexia is mainly perceived to be a problem with literacy skills such as reading, writing and spelling; it is widely accepted that dyslexia can affect a number of areas including memory, organization and concentration.

Poor

Organizational

Skills

Insights

“Poka-thot” by Ben Chan & Theunis Snyman / DESN-210-S007-2011 Core Design Studio III

Types of

Learning

Effective

Tools

User

Strengths

- Synesthetics - Sensory association- Kinesthetics - Tactile learning- Phonological - Sounding out words

- Flash cards- Rythmic annunciation- Auditory learning- Associative thinking (linking concepts)

- Artistic- Visualization in 3D- Mechanical- Imaginative- Creative

Based on our research, these are the key points that we’ve drawn inspiration toward our design process. These were important key characteristics of our user-profile that played an important role in all our iterations.

Research

“Poka-thot” by Ben Chan & Theunis Snyman / DESN-210-S007-2011 Core Design Studio III

Co-Creation Kit / User ProbeWith the user probe, we were able to collect informa-tion about our co-creators in order to get to know our design space.

Co-Creation InfluenceOur co-creators provided valuable feedback during our user-testing phase. Our three-dimensional iteration was simplified to a flat interface which was more user-friendly and improved game speed.

In working with our Co-Creators at Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School, the goal in our collaboration was to draw influences from their experience in living with their learning differences. With their constant feedback, we were able to develop a learning tool that strives to improve working memory.

Co-Creation

“Poka-thot” by Ben Chan & Theunis Snyman / DESN-210-S007-2011 Core Design Studio III

Inspirations Iterations

Our ideation and design process involved numerous iterations all drawn from inspirations such as layering, bio-mimicry, braille, bound fabrics and the act of peeling. The act of making enabled us to establish a solid concept to address the issue of working memory.

Prototyping

“Poka-thot” by Ben Chan & Theunis Snyman / DESN-210-S007-2011 Core Design Studio III

Poka Thot is an interactive memory game that exercises sequencing and working memory from the moment you unpack it. Using a flash-card system, the players are challenged to rep-licate the dot-patterns displayed; as the level of difficulty in-creases, the player is excercises their working memory by ma-nipulating the patterns in their head.

The Board- Soft, tactile and flexible.- Human-scale format promotes kinesthetic learning.- Can be played on flat surfaces as well as hung up on the wall.

The Plugs- Hand-sized for easy and fun gripping.- Magnetically attaches to the board.

The Pockets

- 50% of the fabric is made from re-purposed fabrics.- Each pocket is made of 7 leay-ers of fabric, heat-formed to shape and sewn together.

“Poka-thot” by Ben Chan & Theunis Snyman / DESN-210-S007-2011 Core Design Studio III

Flash Cards- Easy to read and play.- Promotes success and friendly competition.- Exercises recall, working and task-oriented memory.

Surprise- Fun and intuitive- Cloth cover makes it easy to remove the plugs.- Flip the cloth and plugs go flying everywhere.

Smart Packaging- Intuitive packaging makes cleaning up fun and promotes sequential tasks in order to store the game away.- The “magic wand” magneti-cally contains the plugs.- The board folds up and clips together and the draw-string bag keeps it all together. “Poka-thot” by Ben Chan & Theunis Snyman / DESN-210-S007-2011 Core Design Studio III