the waiting game
How can design create an experience that aids in the development of parent and child relationships?
During my time in undergrad, I discovered that one of my passions as a designer is seeing how design can impact relationships. Pair this passion with my non-design related passion of child development and we have found the catalyst of The Waiting Game.
The research for The Waiting Game started by asking how design could create an experience that aids in the development of parent and child relationships? Over the past few years I have noticed an influx of families connected to their phones, but not connected to one another. So, going into this project, I expected the final result to not be digital as I was hoping to draw families away from using their phones. However, while interviewing parents about why they let their children use tablets, they explained how they use them as a tool for learning when they are unable to teach their kids themselves. After hearing similar stories, I came to the realization that screens are not inherently bad, it is how we use them that can hinder our relationships with others.
This realization served as the foundation for the continuation of the project as I worked under the scope of family relationships at restaurants. While surveying parents, almost all parents said that meal times were focused family times. However, there was a discrepancy in that claim, as it did not have the same effect while waiting for food at restaurants. The waiting period at restaurants is a time that could be used for connection, but is instead full of people looking at their own phones. So why not create a game that can be played while you wait that fosters connection and creativity among families?
The Waiting Game encourages families to engage with one another in a new way while waiting for food at restaurants. It provides challenges, conversation starters, and games for parents and kids to play and explore together. The hope of The Waiting Game is for parents and kids to create memories together while waiting for their food at a restaurant. My hope is to see fewer families looking at their phones separately, but rather see families work together to create new experiences and memories.
