Playtesting with Wiggel!

2022

With the pandemic receding, I was able to playtest the Wiggel system by reaching out to families in my neighbourhood in early 2022. Throughout the winter I was able to sit down and show children how fun the design process can be. Every time I dumped the bag of parts out onto the table their faces lit up and the giggles commenced. We usually spent over an hour exploring the system, learning its rules and functions, and coming up with new ideas to build and create. It was easily my most fulfilling experience in my time at the RCA.

As far as Wiggel’s future? I think of it as a tool to help me better understand how children think and play with unconventional objects and systems, as well as a teaching tool to help explain the design process and how they can have an impact on the designed world around them. While the concept itself is not totally innovative, I see it as a stepping stone into the realm of co-design with children at the centre, to either drive its future developments or create a new entirely creative open play experience while having fun the entire way!

In June, Wiggel made its public debut at Milan Design Week at the WE WILL DESIGN Exhibition hosted by BASE Milano. Wiggle was just as much of a hit there as it was during the playtests–garnering interest from children, adolescents, and adults alike! The addition of an acrylic base made it possible to use the suction cup joints as a stabiliser (an interaction that was realised during one of the playtests) and cups helped organise the different lengths of dowels. While the system is far from shelf-ready, it was an invaluable glimpse into its allure to and functionality for new users. It also made an appearance at the RCA 2022 Graduate Exhibition where it was just as much a hit as it was in Milan.

On the 28th of June 2022 Wiggel was awarded the Core77 Student Design Award, Sports & Recreation Category! It certainly paints a bright picture for its future development.

If you are based in London and are interested in playtesting the Wiggel system please do not hesitated to contact me.

[Note: All Images Used with Permission]