ChessMate
Activate the Body, Stimulate the Senses.
Role – Interaction Designer
Time – 2024
Expertises – Tangible Interaction
Industry – Education
ChessMate is a color-based puzzle toy for a family. The hands-on play supports early-stage cognitive development. It is also designed with research-driven insights on child learning behavior. Physical interaction encourages family bonding and connection. With the interesting ChessMate, little children explore the foundations of world while experiencing the joy of discovery.
User pain points
How to Solve?
Techs
Puzzle Game
Arduino, C++
Sensory Learning
LEDPressure Sensor Ultrasonic Distance Sensor
Co-Play
Turn-based system
Early-stage Cognitive Development Experience
"Play with Logic, Win with Joy"
Kids place a chess piece using gestures, pressure, and full-body movement. We use multisensory triggers RGB color feedback and motion detection, turning every action into an engaging learning moment. From the game, learn through the senses.
Child Embodied Learning Insights
"Move, Sense, Learn"
The 4-in-a-row elimination rule makes it easy for kids to get started, and even easier to keep playing. With simplified logic and coloful feedback, every move strengthens their pattern recognition and problem-solving skills. Making children stay focused, challenged, and eager to explore more.
Co-play Collaboration
"Play Together, Grow Together"
Designed for 2 or more players, the game invites both kids and adults to join in. And its physical format brings families together through face-to-face, no screens required. So learning becomes a social experience, and fun becomes connections.
Design Process
Build a Solid Structure
Through iterative testing on material choice and construction methods, we built a durable cube structure that supports active play.
→ Paper-straw frames lacked durability, 3D printing was cost-prohibitive, so we hand-built the final prototype using modular toy blocks with lightweight, low-cost, and fully customizable.
How I Improve Better User Experience?
I optimized distance sensing and move logic for smoother game flow, reducing delay by 20% and improving placement accuracy to 90%.
How to Play?
1.
Two users using RGB buttons to customize colors.
2.
Placing chess by their colour in order.
3.
Eliminate chess when there are 4-in-rows in same colour.
4.
Eliminate get 1 point, 3 points win the game. Or play until cube full.
Reflections
This is the first time our team and I have full ownership and responsibility for an end-to-end project. It was a very memorable and special experience for me, such a new to the workplace. I realized the biggest thing is figuring out the problems and solving them. At first, I was passionate about solving the newest and most innovative issues but if there are not completely meet users’ requirements, it would be useless.
Our team and I wanted to build a cool and interesting magic cube that can be interacted with; however, I recognized how this cube can be used is the meaning of, leading to its playful and educational development. So I applied multiple sensor interactions with Arduino and attractive elements (body movement, sparking, and customization) for children and families.
Additionally, every project faces challenges and has a short time to solve. I understood it on our prototype building materials. Cost and time considerations are necessary for each business project and ChessMate taught me a lot. It also stimulated my potential in 3D modelling and exploring alternatives.
ChessMate helped me realize I can do better than I think and infinite potential.