sensory puzzle
An inclusive jigsaw puzzle
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How might we make jigsaw puzzles inclusive?
the problem
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While the puzzle has a long history dating back to the 1700s, the design has changed very little. The jigsaw puzzle is an extremely popular toy, enjoyed by both children and adults. Yet, the classic puzzle is not accessible to many people.
The characteristics which make puzzles non-inclusive are:
RESEARCH / /
target market
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This graph represents my target market which is at the intersection of the four groups. To make an inclusive design means to make something that accommodates the needs of everyone in this graph, not just one group.
RESEARCH / /
target market
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From here, I started to research the experiences of those in my target market.
RESEARCH / /
personas
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From my research, I created personas of children in my target market. When designing, I came back to these user profiles to make sure I accommodated their needs.
RESEARCH / /
benchmarking
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Apart from looking at the average puzzle, I also analyzed puzzles that are intended for my target market.
Reframed
Problem Definition
To design an inclusive puzzle for children age 5-8 including those who are visually impaired, have low dexterity and are colorblind.
The puzzle will designed to be used on a flat surface like a table or the floor either in the home or at school.
With larger tactile pieces, this puzzle will have contrasting colors, be easier to hold and pick up, and focus more on the user’s sense of touch.
IDEATION / /
exploration
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Using the divergent thinking method, I generated a variety of solutions and explored different possibilities.
Taking into account the User Needs, Business Requirements and Technological Possibilities, I then took the ideas previously generated and organized them. From here, I found the most viable solutions.
IDEATION / /
sketches
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Some of my first ideas looked like traditional puzzles with a variety of raised textures and edge shapes. I started ideating more unconventional puzzles - those that had a mixture of 2D elements and 3D stacking.
From here, I started to think about what made up the experience of completing a puzzle. I began to explore sensations like running your hand over a completed puzzle and completing puzzles in small groups.
chosen direction
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A common technique when solving a puzzle is to work on small sections and then connect those sections together at the end.
This concept takes that idea by making sections made up of 4 pieces that nest together. Each group of 4 is different from one another in both color and texture. The sections are identical in shape which lets the user mix and match the pieces. This allows for open play and an experimental sensory experience.
PROCESS / /
refinement
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After I figured out the exact shape the group of pieces would form, I began to experiment with how big the pieces should be as well as the thickness. At many points I would get feedback from others and incorporate their comments into my design. For example, after talking to a paraprofessional, she suggested that, for users with low vision, a dark background would give high contrast to the pieces and be easier to see.
PROCESS / /
testing
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I sent a simple prototype off to be tested by a child who is visually impaired. In the future, I hope to continue to test my puzzle with more users and improve upon the design.
PROCESS / /
color scheme
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I experimented to achieve a color scheme that has distinct colors even when simulated with colorblindness. I used the green colorblindness filter as it is the most common type. Some colors are close in shade but with color-specific textures there should be no confusion when it comes to grouping pieces.
FINAL SOLUTION / /
sensory puzzle
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This inclusive sensory puzzle is made up of 13 different colors and texture groups. Each group is made up of four wooden nesting pieces, making this a 52 piece puzzle. The user can mix and match pieces, allowing for a variety of sensory experiences. The four different sized pieces in each group makes it simple to organize pieces by size while the tray helps user understand how pieces should fit together. The piece can even be stacked and used as building blocks.
With thick pieces, contrasting colors and a sensory focused play style this puzzle becomes an inclusive toy.
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