REACT believe that media companies in the UK need support to develop new kinds of product and experience aimed at a children’s market, as the US currently dominates this sector. They also think that the best young people’s propositions are designed and tested with young people themselves – but this is costly and small companies often cannot afford the time or expense. In Play Sandbox, REACT set out to make children their partners in the design process, challenging them to make better things with their imaginations, opinions and values.

For six months, teams of games and product designers, robotics engineers, artists, film makers and researchers worked together to create six prototypes of innovative, new play products for children. They worked with a group of young coaches between the ages of eight and twelve throughout the process. The resulting six prototypes use digital technology to reimagine board games, robot toys, apps, dens and playgrounds in thoughtful and surprising ways. 

In this week's Lunchtime Talk, Danae Stanton Fraser and Jo Lansdowne will reflect on this experience of working with children in a process of rapid R&D. Danae, Professor of Human Computer Interaction at the University of Bath, will share insights about co-design in the development of new technologies. Jo, Producer of Play Sandbox will probably talk more about being thrown in the deep end and which pizza toppings children like best.

This Lunchtime Talk is part of Open Studio Friday, which takes place at the Studio every week.

Do you want to find out what is going on at the Pervasive Media Studio? Are you interested in meeting our residents, talking about a specific project or curious about pervasive media? Why not pack a sandwich and join us for one of our Lunchtime Talks and Open Studio Friday.

Lunchtime Talks are informal presentations by Studio residents and associates. They normally take place at 1pm on Friday, are free and open to everybody who’s interested in what we do.

After the Talk, we also invite you to stay with us for the afternoon to continue the conversation or work on your own projects. We provide chairs, tables, wireless and a great space. You bring what you need to work with (laptop/mobile). Our open afternoons close at 5pm.

Let us know if you’d like a tour of the space and we'll be happy to show you around. Send an email to admin@pmstudio.co.uk