DESIGN NAME: Ladybird Curling
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Gamified Sports Equipment
INSPIRATION: The design is inspired by the ladybird's wings that spread when flying and close when resting on the flowers. The handle of this curling is designed as the wings of insects, and the operation gesture is changed from traditional one-handed to two-handed, helping young children to better push and throw, thereby lowering the barrier to entry and allowing them to immerse themselves in curling.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Ladybird Curling is a gamified curling equipment for younger children. It allows them to grab the curling handle with both hands, compensating for lack of strength. The curling throw is changed from one-handed to two-handed, helping them use full power and control the direction of movement. The anthropomorphic design is a metaphor for the 'ladybird' flying towards the 'sunflower';, which aims to enhance the fun of curling, and foster their physical fitness and agile thinking in sports games.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Younger children need to the silicone handles shaped like 'wings' on the top side of the ladybird curling and grab them. After aiming at the center of "base Camp" in the distance, kids can push the curling out with both hands. The magnetic bars on the inside of the "double wings" will move close and return to regular shape, which can prevent curlings from disturbing each other during movement. This process can enhance children's understanding of curling and foster their interests in it.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in Shanghai in December 2022 and was completed in Ningbo in February 2023.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: In the design, the body of the curling is made of stainless steel, and the surface of the product is painted and polished to reduce the friction of moving on the ice. The "double wings" of curling are made of silicone anti-slip material, which is easy for young children to hold and exert force.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: The size of Ladybird Curling is 215 mm x 215 mm x 115 mm. And the sunflower-textured simulation curling track is 5 meters wide and 10 meters long.
TAGS: Children, Sports, Bionic, Creative, Fun
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Curling is a physical and strategic sport. Since the strength of young children is far less than that of adults, the traditional "heavy" and "single-handle" curling prevents them from experiencing the sport actively and enthusiastically. Therefore, ladybird Curling puts forward the design of mimicry and gamification to provide favorable conditions for children to exert power with both hands and control the direction of curling.
CHALLENGE: The challenge is to lower the barriers for young children to participate in curling and make it possible for them to experience the sport in a safe and fun way. The ultimate goal is to cultivate children's interest in curling and stimulate their sports potential through entertaining and teaching in the form of bionics and gamification.
ADDED DATE: 2023-03-01 12:31:23
TEAM MEMBERS (2) : Leijing Zhou and Yiqing Zhang
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Creator Yiqing Zhang, 2023.
Image #2: Creator Yiqing Zhang, 2023.
Image #3: Creator Yiqing Zhang, 2023.
Image #4: Creator Yiqing Zhang, 2023.
Image #5: Creator Yiqing Zhang, 2023.
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