Osmo Coding Starter Kit
KIT LAUNCHED 2020
PRODUCT LEAD / PLAY DESIGNER / ARTIST
Coding is an abstract concept. With over 30 years of research supporting the use of tangibles, Osmo Coding blends hands-on play with games as the best way to introduce coding to young kids.
As product lead, I led a team in relaunching the Osmo Coding games (Coding Awbie, Coding Jam, and Coding Duo) into a new retail Starter Kit. I set and maintained goals to improve game play; and directed animation, UX, and UI improvements.
Product Film
3 Coding Games
Magnetic Coding Blocks
The kit includes physical blocks of code that magnetically snap together. By using the Osmo to see the blocks on the table, the code interacts and comes to life on your tablet.
There are seven different Command Blocks, that control the game interactions. Three of the commands (Walk, Hand, and Jump) have turnable direction arrows.
Iconography
Collaborating with Osmo’s computer vision and industrial design team, I designed symbols and colors used for each block. The goal was to create a versatile system that could be used for multiple games but also easy to understand. I chose traffic symbols as one of the most common graphics kids see as a perfect influence for the iconography.
This allowed the kit to work for the target age of 5 to 10, but still be enjoyable by kids as young as 3.
Package Design
The goal of the Starter Kit was to combine Osmo’s three coding games into one new retail offering. A new box was required that would not only contain the pieces, but also best capture messaging about the product.
Having been Osmo’s Brand Lead for their retail packaging system, I designed, illustrated, and tested multiple packaging iterations in multiple focus groups. Interviews are essential to understand product market fit and to get feedback on every aspect of the product.
