TacTones
Project
Capstone Project
Role
Research
UX/UI
Prototyping
Branding
Date
2022
Project
Background
+
The goal of this project was to design a classroom ‘toolkit’ that combines an application with a tangible interface to introduce children to lessons in music composition and help facilitate collaboration.* Converting basic components of a digital audio workstation (DAW) into a physical workspace will provide children 6+ with the opportunity to explore music composition and theories through play-based learning.
*I used many references to inform this project, but Lifelong Kindergarten by Mitchel Resnick was especially impactful in how structured TacTones.
“Ask not what the toy can do for your child, but rather, what can your child do for the toy?”
The Kit
Mitchel Resnick
=
A toolkit for learning about:
A variety of instruments
Music theory
Music parameters and effects
Rythm and tempo
Musical storytelling
Collaboration
The physical kit consists of magnetic squares and circular notes. The squares, when placed next to each other elongate a note, while the circles keep notes single, even when placed next to each other. Each colour can be selected to represent a different instrument.
There are 3 magnet grids, one for each colour, on which the notes can be placed along. The shorter grids can be used to add more time and notes to a composition. Additionally, there are effects that can be applied to different colours to change how the instrument sounds, including volume, pitch, tone, and delay.
The Companion App
The app pairs with the grid and continuously updates it as the student arranges and rearranges the notes. Different instruments can be paired with corresponding coloured notes to experiment with their sound and how it affects the overall composition. The student can play their song on the tablet and continue to work on it on their own or collaboratively with more classmates.
