Climber's Crate

Climber's Crate

Capstone Project
Multi-functional furniture that encourages children to play, safely.
IN COLLABORATION WITH
MAJOR
Industrial Design
FACULTY
Sang-gyeun Ahn
Play is far more powerful for children than many parents realize. Increasingly, researchers are uncovering the values of one of the most developmentally important forms of play—climbing. Climbing aids in children’s mental and physical development, and has been shown to improve creativity, memory, and critical thinking abilities. However, 11,300 children on average visit the ER each year for furniture tip-over injuries, and 91% of child tip-over fatalities occur in a residential setting. This inspired us to design safe and functional furniture for children that encourages exploratory and unstructured play, inspires imaginative interactions, and provides a comforting reassurance for first-time parents. Young children are naturally curious as they begin to learn about the world around them, so it's inevitable they are going to fall, crash, slip and tumble. But there are little things we thought about to ensure that kids avoid the more serious injuries that can lead to disabilities and even death.
DESIGNER(S)
MAJOR
Industrial Design
FACULTY
Sang-gyeun Ahn
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION OF DESIGN