Tink TankAn interactive space for children with various abilities

Tabita KurienPost Graduate Student of New Media DesignNational Institute of DesignIndia

Tink TankTink Tank offers a variety of learning opportunities for all children.

It is flexible, adjustable, usable and customizable .

It is designed to provide auditory, tactile and visual stimulation.

It is a cause and effect motivational center , specially-designed for use in therapeutic and educational environments.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Design Processbrainstorming

research

user study

concept generation

final concept

making of product

user testing

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Inspiration

I have been inspired by their present toys and developed a new space to make their exercises more interactive and fun.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

The user study was conducted in SETU an early intervention development centre in Ahmedabad. Children with Autism and Cerebral Palsy from the age group of 1 ½ to 8 yrs come here with their parents.

User study

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Making of the detachable table Making of the acrylic tank

The alphabets before attaching Making of the electronic Circuit

The makingTink Tank was made in the workshops of National Institute of Design.

• The Table and shapes was made of 19mm MDF and painted.

• The Tank was made of Acrylic

• The electronics were finalized after a lot of trial and error.

• The inner toys were bought from the market.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

User testing

At present Tink Tank is being used by SETU an early intervention Development Centre, for the past 8 months. The children are enjoying this new space.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Views

Tink Tank has been made with 8 different activities on the four sides. Each helping the child in a different way.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Spring SummerWhen a child exercises his hand with the hand gripper the wind chimes inside rotate and the light intensity increases while the chimes make a soothing sound.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Enchanting GalaxyThe galaxy has colorful glowing stars and planets. When a child blows through a pipe the planets starts revolving. The light intensity increases according to the amount you blow and the rhyme “Twinkle twinkle” plays along.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Junglee JungleThe jungle is filled with wild animals. When a child uses the hand exerciser. The light intensity increases according to the amount you press and the music comes on simultaneously.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Blue waterThe magnetic fish love to be fed by the magnetic food which children feed. This helps the child in fine motor coordination. The light comes on as well as the air pump get activated.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Number GridThere are plastic numbers and functions (addition, subtraction, division multiplication and equal to symbols) on the grid ,which can slide through the grid. These numbers can be arranged in any manner. It can be used as a learning aid for different age groups. From teaching basic numbers to equations.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Alphabet gridThere are plastic letters on the grid ,which can slide through the grid. These letters can be arranged in any manner. It can be used as a learning aid for different age groups. From teaching the alphabet to words.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Colour and ShapesThe board has holes into which shapes of different colours and expression can be plugged. Children can play with individual shapes. and plug it back in the hole. Helps children recognize and differentiate shapes, colours and expressions.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Problems tackled• Attention grasping • Eye-hand coordination• Turn taking • Social relationships• Social interactions • Physical activity • Fine and gross motor coordination • Bio feedback • Spatial concepts

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Costing

Tink Tank was funded by National Institute of Design and SETU.The cost is approximately.

INR 12000USD 260EUR 205 DKK 1,525

The cost will reduce if mass produced.

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Future Usage PossibilitiesTink Tank with slight variations can be used in a wide variety of establishments such as

• Schools• Hospitals• Nurseries• Resource centres• Leisure centres• Shopping Malls play spaces• Residential houses for elderly people• Community resource centres• Psychiatric hospitals and centres• Private houses • In a bigger scale it can also be used in exhibitions and amusement parks

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com

Thank You

Tabita Kurien Tabita.kurien@gmail.com