Developing musical instruments for young children
Lead Participant:
SPARK AND ROCKET LTD
Abstract
"Music is incredible. It has significant educational and social benefits for children. However, fewer and fewer children are getting to experience the joy of music with music being taken out of the curriculum.
Children should be introduced to music early but it is hard. Instruments are not designed for their abilities, music notation is difficult, lessons are expensive and teachers and parents do not have the musical knowledge to teach children.
Our aim is a significant human centred challenge. Music and traditional instruments are very complex, even for adults. Our objective is to design an interactive musical instrument that can be not only played by a three year old on their own but that also communicates and teaches the key fundamentals of music.
We will test and significantly improve our understanding of the needs and desires of the customers; what do they want for their child, what value do they see in this product.
We will test and significantly improve the users understanding and interaction of the physical product and educational material including signifiers, feedback and constraints.
We will test and significantly improve the users understanding of music through the interaction with both the physical product and the educational material
We will use these findings to develop a new prototype.
We will collect evidence of the new prototype fulfilling its objectives. Use this to raise investment and move to commercialisation.
The success of the project and the commercial success of the product will hinge on how well the product meets its objectives; how easily a young children can play and learn music with our instrument. As discussed this is a difficult challenge for our particular user and only through excellent human-centred design work can we meet these objectives.
As it is such a challenge when we meet these objectives the value, excitement and benefit of the product will be profound. It will ensure commercial success through parents, partners, educational establishments, retailers and distributors who will all see the effect, benefits and positive reviews of the product.
However, it will also benefit children all over the world enabling them to pal, learn and love music from a young age."
Children should be introduced to music early but it is hard. Instruments are not designed for their abilities, music notation is difficult, lessons are expensive and teachers and parents do not have the musical knowledge to teach children.
Our aim is a significant human centred challenge. Music and traditional instruments are very complex, even for adults. Our objective is to design an interactive musical instrument that can be not only played by a three year old on their own but that also communicates and teaches the key fundamentals of music.
We will test and significantly improve our understanding of the needs and desires of the customers; what do they want for their child, what value do they see in this product.
We will test and significantly improve the users understanding and interaction of the physical product and educational material including signifiers, feedback and constraints.
We will test and significantly improve the users understanding of music through the interaction with both the physical product and the educational material
We will use these findings to develop a new prototype.
We will collect evidence of the new prototype fulfilling its objectives. Use this to raise investment and move to commercialisation.
The success of the project and the commercial success of the product will hinge on how well the product meets its objectives; how easily a young children can play and learn music with our instrument. As discussed this is a difficult challenge for our particular user and only through excellent human-centred design work can we meet these objectives.
As it is such a challenge when we meet these objectives the value, excitement and benefit of the product will be profound. It will ensure commercial success through parents, partners, educational establishments, retailers and distributors who will all see the effect, benefits and positive reviews of the product.
However, it will also benefit children all over the world enabling them to pal, learn and love music from a young age."
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| SPARK AND ROCKET LTD | £39,412 | £ 17,735 |
Participant |
||
| INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Michael Tougher (Project Manager) |