The tactile sense is one of the most important perceptions to acquire, classify and memorize information about our surroundings. Especially in children haptic experiences are of great significance for their development. By touching objects children learn to sort through their world and grasp abstract connections. Our intention is to give children’s furniture, which is often only functional, boring and short-lived, a haptic feel. We want to achieve this through interesting and visually appealing fibers. We already know these from products such as off-the-shelf brooms. By diverting their use, we can create a whole new field of application. Children are being encouraged to playfully interact with their furniture and test out and sharpen their sense of touch. Through the creation of monster characters, we want to bring forward an emotional connection to the furniture and thus it’s longevity. It becomes a friend, a playmate and a protector at night. For every piece of furniture there will be a children’s book illustrating each monster’s own history and teaching the child about the items functionality in a playful way.
The product family consists of a nightlight, a footstep and a chest: A nightlight in the dark, leading the way to the bathroom, that you can take with you wherever you go, due to its built-in rechargeable battery. A footstep, helping the child to reach the sink, in case it is still missing a few inches. Because of the fibers the step slides on the ground silently and prevents scratch marks simultaneously. The toys can be stored away in the chest. The soft fibers are making it impossible to pinch the fingers. The chest’s lid acts as drawing table. Valuables, which no one is allowed to see, can be hidden in the secret compartment.
