The Creative Cruiser
A Fine-Motor Skill-Building Toy for Children with Disabilities
Skills:
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​User Research
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Human-Cantered Design
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Patent Research
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DFM
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Model Building
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​Brand Language Strategy
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Engineering Drawings Creation
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and more
Revisiting an old project 5 years later
Problem
All children deserve access to toys that match their developmental, physical, and cognitive needs. However, children with disabilities often encounter a lack of toys that are adaptive to their unique requirements while also supporting the development of fine motor skills.
Initially approached by Reach Services during my undergraduate studies at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, I was tasked with addressing this gap. Years later, during graduate school at Northwestern University, I revisited this challenge with a refined perspective and expanded skill set.
The Character Curtain; Originally design and created by Noble Jones and Sophie Bear in 2019.
Research Round 1
Secondary Research
We immersed ourselves in existing studies on neurodivergent disorders, focusing on how these conditions affect children's play behaviors and needs.
Primary Research
Direct collaboration with child therapists and their young clients was central to our process. Through iterative feedback sessions, we observed firsthand what worked — and what didn't — in early prototypes.
Initial Requirements
During our research, we saw 6 requirements that this toy had to achieve:
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Durable and withstands frequent use
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Waterproof and easy to clean
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Provide entertainment for children with special needs
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Help therapists calm children during sessions
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Support fine motor skill development
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Meet ASTM safety standards
Design Round 1: The Character Curtain
Our original design, the Character Curtain, featured a four-pronged stand where children could hang and customize characters. Adjustable rods and satisfying textured chains were incorporated to support fine motor development and create a calming sensory experience.
The final prototype was delivered to Reach Services, where it remained available for use over the next several years.
The Character Curtain prototypes
5 Years Later: A New Perspective
In graduate school, I revisited the Character Curtain through the lens of product design confirmation. After contacting Reach Services, I learned that while therapists appreciated the idea, children rarely engaged with the toy. It didn't "feel like a toy" to them — a crucial insight I had missed initially.
Understanding this gap drove me to reframe the project: I didn't just need to improve functionality, but I needed to ensure genuine appeal and fun for the children.
Research Round 2
Secondary Research
I conducted market research, developing a feature matrix for some popular toys that work on fine motor skills. I also focused on patent research to find the most up to date information on the toys in and coming to market.
Primary Research
This time, I focused heavily on what made toys truly "fun." I observed children at play, visited toy stores, and engaged with families to gather real-world insights.
Key Insight: Even the most functionally sound design will fail if it doesn't first spark joy.
Design Round 2
Concept Development
After extensive brainstorming, I landed on a new concept: a cart that children could roll and build sculptures on using threaded, connectable parts. The activity would strengthen fine motor skills while feeling dynamic, playful, and rewarding.
Concept Sketches
Brand Alignment
To ground the product in a familiar design language, I drew inspiration from Hasbro’s ToyBox Tools — an accessible play brand. I matched their aesthetic choices in material, color, shape, and finish to ensure seamless retail integration.
Branding
Manufacturability Focus
All custom parts were designed for injection molding or blow molding. Standard components were sourced from bulk suppliers to streamline production and reduce costs.
SolidWorks Models
Technical Execution
I developed detailed SolidWorks models and engineering drawings, creating a fully manufacturable design ready for production handoff.
Sample Engineering Drawings
Final Outcome: The Creative Cruiser
The Creative Cruiser: Building fine motor skills through creative play.
After five years of growth, learning, and real-world feedback, I proudly present the Creative Cruiser — a toy that is not only functional but truly fun for children.
Throughout this journey, I deepened my expertise in patent research, brand design strategy, DFM, and iterative human-centered design. Most importantly, I learned the essential role that joy, usability, and emotional connection play in successful product design.
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Interested in learning more about this project or discussing future collaborations? Let's connect!