QUEST
Screen-free AI curiosity companion for curious kids
ROLE
Industrial Design
User Research
Experience Design
AI Product Design
PROJECT OVERVIEW
QUEST is a screen-free AI curiosity companion that transforms everyday questions into lifelong learning. By combining an AI camera, voice interaction, and projected storytelling, it encourages children to explore nature outdoors, discover the world around them, and build curiosity through bedtime stories.
AWARDS
THE PROBLEM
THE CURIOSITY DEFICIT
300 questions spark kids’ daily curiosity.
Dual-working families: Less time, more screens.
Instead of encouraging discovery, many digital products replace curiosity with passive consumption.
QUEST brings learning back outdoors through screen-free exploration.
WHY IT MATTERS
TURNING QUESTIONS INTO DISCOVERY
Curiosity is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong learning.
Yet today's children often explore the world through screens instead of real experiences.
QUEST transforms everyday curiosity into active discovery, making learning fun, rewarding, and safe.
RESEARCH INSIGHT
Interviews with parents, caregivers, and teachers, combined with contextual research, explored children's daily routines, outdoor exposure, interests, play behaviors, and learning habits. These insights shaped QUEST's multisensory interactions, curiosity-driven experiences, screen-free exploration, and seamless integration into everyday childhood adventures.
CHILDREN LEARN BEST BY EXPLORING
Research with children, parents, and educators revealed that meaningful learning happens when children can:
OBSERVE
ASK
INTERACT
IMAGINE
Rather than simply consuming information.
This insight became the foundation of QUEST.
MARKET RESEARCH
The US$12 billion STEM toys market is rapidly growing, yet most products focus on either screen-based learning or high-tech robotics.
QUEST bridges this gap by transforming everyday curiosity into screen-free, real-world exploration.
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DESIGN OPPORTUNITY
How might we transform screen time into real-world discovery?
SKETCH EXPLORATIONS
Over 200 concept iterations explored form, ergonomics, and character, transforming QUEST from a camera-inspired device into a friendly AI companion designed for curious kids.
TESTING ERGONOMICS
Eradicating Misinterpreted Design Gestures
Testing with children revealed that early prototypes were often misinterpreted as tools rather than companions. This insight led to a softer, organic silhouette that naturally encourages a pointing gesture, making QUEST feel playful, approachable, and easy to hold.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
QUEST turns Questions into AHA moments
Instead of designing another smart gadget, QUEST was built around three principles.
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1. Capture
Transform questions into conversations
Camera + AI Vision + Object Recognition
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2. Converse
Transform questions into conversations
LLM + Voice Conversation + Learning Memory
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3. Celebrate
Transform questions into conversations
Story Generation + Cloud storage + Discovery Gallery
CMF MOOD BOARD
Using research insights and children's emotional needs as a foundation, I developed a mood board exploring nurturing, safety, warmth, and playfulness through soft textures, organic forms, and pastel blends. It established the visual language for QUEST as a friendly AI companion that inspires curiosity through approachable design.
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Matte ABS Body | Soft-touch warmth.
Pastel gradients igniting curious discovery.
Silicone Grip | Built for outdoors.
Non-slip security for wild, muddy exploration.
Vibrant Button | The spark of discovery.
Intentional visual anchor inviting the "aha" moments.
ENGINEERING THE EXPERIENCE
QUEST's modular architecture integrates AI hardware, optics, projection, audio, power management, and wireless connectivity into a compact, child-friendly enclosure. Designed for durability, manufacturability, and easy assembly, each component supports a seamless exploration experience while maintaining a playful and approachable form.
BRANDING & PACKAGING
A playful brand identity, illustrated packaging, and an intuitive onboarding guide create a welcoming first experience for both children and parents. Every touchpoint reflects QUEST's values of curiosity, exploration, and screen-free learning.
TURNING THE WORLD INTO A CLASSROOM
QUEST transforms everyday curiosity into lifelong learning by empowering children to observe, ask questions, and discover beyond the screen. More than an AI companion, it nurtures confidence, creativity, and a lasting love for exploration—one question at a time.
QUEST transforms everyday curiosity into lifelong learning.
Turning the world into a classroom, one discovery at a time.
MORE ID PROJECTS
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