Lunchtime Talks are a series of informal presentations at Watershed's Pervasive Media Studio. They normally take place at 13:00 on a Friday, are free and are open to everybody who is interested in what they do. Come along, bring a sandwich, and get to know more about the Studio community, current and up-coming projects, or residents' work.

In this week's talk Danae Stanton Fraser, Professor in Human Computer Interaction and REACT producer Jo Lansdowne reflect on their experience of working with children in a recent Play Sandbox initiative to build six prototypes that use digital technology to reimagine board games, robot toys, apps, dens and playgrounds in thoughtful and surprising ways.

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.

Both Jo and Danae will reflect on this experience of working with children in a process of rapid R&D and share their insights about co-design in the development of new technologies as well as discussing the merits of being thrown in at the deep end to which pizza toppings children like best.

The Pervasive Media Studio is located within the Watershed building. Let us know if you'd like a tour and we'll be happy to show you around. Send an email to admin@pmstudio.co.uk

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