Playtime just got a whole lot more interactive.

BarbieTalk

A mobile app that utilizes a custom-built AI model to enable safe and engaging conversations between children and their Barbie dolls

Project Overview

Imagine this - Your child races in, eyes sparkling, clutching their favorite Barbie. But this isn't playtime as usual. Today, Barbie talks back.

This project dives into the world of BarbieTalk, an app that allows children to have interactive conversations with their Barbie dolls. By leveraging AI technology, the BarbieTalk app personalizes the play experience and encourages imaginative storytelling.

Time Frame
5 Weeks (May 2024 - June 2024)

Application Used
Illustrator, Procreate, Figma

Problem

We all know and love Barbie. But sometimes, playtime adventures can feel a bit one-sided. Problem: Traditional Barbie dolls offer limited interaction, holding back a child's ability to create elaborate narratives and engage in deeper pretend play. Kids crave interaction, a chance to build stories and explore their imaginations alongside their favorite doll.

Design Challenge

How can we transform playtime with Barbie dolls by enabling children to have interactive conversations, sparking imagination and fostering deeper engagement?

BarbieTalk

I designed BarbieTalk, a mobile app that utilizes a custom-built AI model to enable safe and engaging conversations between children and their Barbie dolls. To further enhance the interactive experience, I also proposed a potential product line that could complement the app.

Try Figma Prototype

Chat Like BFFs

Say hello to safe and exciting AI! BarbieTalk uses an age-appropriate AI model that sparks conversations, answers questions, and keeps the fun flowing. Whether your child wants to plan a fashion show or brainstorm a rescue mission, Barbie is always ready to chat!

Create Your Dream Team

Kids and their guardians personalize their Barbie's profile. Is their Barbie a rockstar, a vet, or maybe an astronaut? Choose a voice that matches their personality, and even give them a unique backstory.

Guardian Power

I've got you covered, guardians! Built-in parental controls let you set boundaries on conversation topics, encourage positive interactions, and even choose whether to keep the conversation log and record the fun for later giggles.

The Magic of Make-Believe

Elevate playtime with a cool, interactive Barbie accessory – a stylish purse or backpack! The voice seemingly comes from Barbie herself, making the conversation truly immersive! (Think tiny microphone and speaker, all wrapped up in Barbie style!)

Research

User Research

Children (aged under 8)

Secondary research revealed that children primarily engage in imaginative storytelling with their dolls. They enjoy creating narratives involving careers, friendships, and everyday activities. Features like role-playing prompts, story starters, and sound effects are met with enthusiasm. Safety and ease of use are highlighted by children as important aspects of any interactive element.

Parents (of children aged under8)

I conducted in total of 5 short user interviews to understand parent’s needs when it come’s to their children’s playtime. They showed a strong interest in fostering creativity and vocabulary development through play. When AI concept was introduced, most of the parents expressed a desire for the AI model to promote positive values like kindness, friendship, and inclusivity. Additionally, the importance of data privacy and parental control features was emphasized.

Target Audience

BarbieTalk has two main target audiences: children aged under 8, who love imaginative play with Barbies, and their parents and guardians, who prioritize safe and enriching experiences that spark creativity and positive values.

AI Chatbot Analysis

ChatGPT

ChatGPT demonstrates impressive capabilities in natural language processing and generating creative text formats. However, ChatGPT's current iteration requires further development to ensure factual accuracy and child-friendly content generation for a safe and educational play experience.

Pi.ai

Pi.ai chatbot excels at answering factual questions in a clear and concise manner. However, it has limited functionality in creative storytelling prompts, which is a core aspect of BarbieTalk. Its strengths might be better suited for an educational app than the primary focus of BarbieTalk, which is interactive storytelling.

Additional Research

Child Development

Research confirms the positive impact of interactive play on language skills, creativity, and social-emotional learning in children. Interactive storytelling with dolls can encourage children to express themselves, explore different perspectives, and develop problem-solving abilities.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations include potential biases in AI responses, data privacy concerns regarding children's interactions, and ensuring the technology promotes healthy social development.Pi.ai: Despite its strength in answering factual questions, Pi.ai's conversational style was deemed less engaging for children.Parents (of children aged 6-8): I conducted in total of 5 short user interviews to understand parent’s needs when it come’s to their children’s playtime.

Research Summary

Overall Findings

The research highlights a strong interest in interactive play experiences that encourage imagination, positive values, and learning. Parents prioritized safety, data privacy, and features that complement children's natural play patterns. The analysis of existing AI chatbots suggests a need for a model tailored to children's language, focusing on storytelling prompts, factual accuracy, and positive reinforcement.

Next Steps

Based on these findings, the BarbieTalk project can focus on developing a safe and engaging AI model that sparks creative storytelling for children. This could involve:

Designing a playful interface with voice or text interaction
Curating a library of age-appropriate story prompts and role-playing scenarios
Integrating elements that encourage positive values and factual knowledge
Prioritizing data privacy and parental control features

By addressing these user needs and ethical considerations, BarbieTalk can become a valuable tool for nurturing children's creativity and sparking engaging play experiences.Ethical Considerations

Brainstorming & Sketching

Moodboard Creation

I jumped right in by creating a vibrant and playful mood board to capture the essence of BarbieTalk. This visual direction targets both existing customers and new demographics, ensuring the app resonates with a broad audience.

Beyond Aesthetics

My exploration went further than just color palettes and vibes. I envisioned a potential product line that seamlessly complements the BarbieTalk app. This additional layer of interactivity could significantly enhance the play experience.

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Ideation

Brand Strategy

Interactive Storytelling

BarbieTalk allows children to have engaging conversations with their Barbie dolls, fostering a more dynamic and imaginative play experience.

Get Broad Audience

The visual design and potential product line extensions aim to attract both existing Barbie customers and new demographics, expanding the app's reach.

Holistic Play Experience

Beyond the app itself, BarbieTalk explores the possibility of complementary products, creating a more integrated and engaging play ecosystem for children.

Solution: BarbieTalk

BarbieTalk

I designed BarbieTalk, a mobile app that utilizes a custom-built AI model to enable safe and engaging conversations between children and their Barbie dolls. To further enhance the interactive experience, I also proposed a potential product line that could complement the app.

Try Figma Prototype