Data Playground: Data Visualization Toy
Data Playground: Data Visualization Toy
Data Playground: Data Visualization Toy
Data Playground: Data Visualization Toy
Blender • Womp • Illustrator • Photoshop
This Data Visualization Toy uses its Bendy Bell Curves to help children model normal data and make hypotheses based on their findings. After the child collects their own data, aided by the included Suggestion Cards, they can model the sample mean and standard deviation on the included tray. This tactile and intuitive process makes statistics easily approachable for young children. The set also includes a pad of data frames, a marker, and the building blocks for Histo-man, a mascot and aid for crafting histograms.
Deliverables:
3D Models & Animation
Packaging dieline & mockups (all 3D modelled in Blender)
This Data Visualization Toy uses its Bendy Bell Curves to help children model normal data and make hypotheses based on their findings. After the child collects their own data, aided by the included Suggestion Cards, they can model the sample mean and standard deviation on the included tray. This tactile and intuitive process makes statistics easily approachable for young children. The set also includes a pad of data frames, a marker, and the building blocks for Histo-man, a mascot and aid for crafting histograms.
Deliverables:
3D Models & Animation
Packaging dieline & mockups (all 3D modelled in Blender)
Why Statistics?
Data is everywhere, and it’s becoming more prevalent than ever in our news, education, and economy. It’s important that our young citizens learn how to interpret statistics and have the tools to question data when it is used for manipulation. This toy acts as an engaging first step for children to learn about basic statistical concepts like mean, standard deviation, the law of large numbers, and hypothesis testing.
Why Statistics?
Data is everywhere, and it’s becoming more prevalent than ever in our news, education, and economy. It’s important that our young citizens learn how to interpret statistics and have the tools to question data when it is used for manipulation. This toy acts as an engaging first step for children to learn about basic statistical concepts like mean, standard deviation, the law of large numbers, and hypothesis testing.
Initial Concept & Sketches
Initial Concept & Sketches
I got the idea for a statistics themed toy during one of initial stats classes. Originally, I thought of designing and modelling figurines for characters based on distributions. For example, the Binomial Distribution would be represented by twins, with “p” (a success) being the happy, put-together twin, while “q” (failure) would a bumbling insecure mess. These concepts felt more fitting for teenagers, however, and I wanted to create something that was more directly education. The normal distribution girl was modelled partially, but ultimately left incomplete as I felt she didn’t fit the theme. I may return to this idea and flesh it out more fully at a later date.
I got the idea for a statistics themed toy during one of initial stats classes. Originally, I thought of designing and modelling figurines for characters based on distributions. For example, the Binomial Distribution would be represented by twins, with “p” (a success) being the happy, put-together twin, while “q” (failure) would a bumbling insecure mess. These concepts felt more fitting for teenagers, however, and I wanted to create something that was more directly education. The normal distribution girl was modelled partially, but ultimately left incomplete as I felt she didn’t fit the theme. I may return to this idea and flesh it out more fully at a later date.
Final Concept
Final Concept
The final concept was a tactile toy to teach children to get children comfortable working with data. The idea was not to have complex, or even perfectly correctly sourced samples, but to understand how differences between populations, sample size, and selection criteria might affect a model.
The final concept was a tactile toy to teach children to get children comfortable working with data. The idea was not to have complex, or even perfectly correctly sourced samples, but to understand how differences between populations, sample size, and selection criteria might affect a model.
Visualization Tray
Visualization Tray
By pressing in on either side of the Bendy Bell Curves, a child can model their data and begin to notice patterns between different populations and sample sizes. The colored sections marking off the standard deviations even help the child to form their own hypothesis based on the data. The grid and number line are left blank so the child can write their own values.
By pressing in on either side of the Bendy Bell Curves, a child can model their data and begin to notice patterns between different populations and sample sizes. The colored sections marking off the standard deviations even help the child to form their own hypothesis based on the data. The grid and number line are left blank so the child can write their own values.
Histo-man
Histo-man
Colored blocks held together by magnets. Children can combine these blocks to create histograms representing their data, encouraging them to experiment with different types of data visualization. The hands can be posed and the facial features can be swapped out.
Colored blocks held together by magnets. Children can combine these blocks to create histograms representing their data, encouraging them to experiment with different types of data visualization. The hands can be posed and the facial features can be swapped out.
Packaging
Packaging
Taking inspiration from the arc of a bell curve, I adopted a rainbow motif throughout the packaging, primarily using the primary colors for all key details. The rainbow motif has been expanded into a sky setting for the additional materials.
Taking inspiration from the arc of a bell curve, I adopted a rainbow motif throughout the packaging, primarily using the primary colors for all key details. The rainbow motif has been expanded into a sky setting for the additional materials.
Charts, Exercises, & Markers
Charts, Exercises, & Markers
The worksheets each provide two variations of the same research question, encouraging children to think critically about how different populations and sample sizes may affect how we interpret data. The included markers can be used to write the units/scale on the visualization tray, which can then be wiped away and replaced for the next study. All additional materials, including the markers and pad, were 3D modelled from scratch.
The worksheets each provide two variations of the same research question, encouraging children to think critically about how different populations and sample sizes may affect how we interpret data. The included markers can be used to write the units/scale on the visualization tray, which can then be wiped away and replaced for the next study. All additional materials, including the markers and pad, were 3D modelled from scratch.
