KiN: The Cube that Cares
A therapy tool disguised as a toy, to help autistic children learn about the nuance of emotions
Role:
Lead Product Designer
Responsibilities:
UI & UX
Prototyping
Branding
Research
Accessibility
Image above: KiN sitting on a teacher's desk ready to be used by a child or therapist.
Client Overview
Our sponsor was a small, all-women philanthropic collective dedicated to funding innovations that improve daily life for people with disabilities. Rather than prescribing a single brief, they encouraged us to cast a wide net—investigating needs across Parkinson’s care, low-vision accessibility, and neurodiversity support—so we could surface the most compelling opportunity.
During a series of discovery sprints, we mapped gaps in existing solutions and interviewed clinicians across those domains. The clearest pain point emerged in autism therapy: many clinics still relied on paper flash-cards and handwritten session notes, tools that hadn’t evolved in decades. The client immediately connected with the potential to replace those outdated methods with something interactive, data-driven, and genuinely engaging for children. Their willingness to fund exploratory research and rapid prototyping gave us the freedom to pursue that vision—ultimately guiding us toward creating KiN.
Client Overview
Our sponsor was a small, all-women philanthropic collective dedicated to funding innovations that improve daily life for people with disabilities. Rather than prescribing a single brief, they encouraged us to cast a wide net—investigating needs across Parkinson’s care, low-vision accessibility, and neurodiversity support—so we could surface the most compelling opportunity.
During a series of discovery sprints, we mapped gaps in existing solutions and interviewed clinicians across those domains. The clearest pain point emerged in autism therapy: many clinics still relied on paper flash-cards and handwritten session notes, tools that hadn’t evolved in decades. The client immediately connected with the potential to replace those outdated methods with something interactive, data-driven, and genuinely engaging for children. Their willingness to fund exploratory research and rapid prototyping gave us the freedom to pursue that vision—ultimately guiding us toward creating KiN.
Client Overview
Our sponsor was a small, all-women philanthropic collective dedicated to funding innovations that improve daily life for people with disabilities. Rather than prescribing a single brief, they encouraged us to cast a wide net—investigating needs across Parkinson’s care, low-vision accessibility, and neurodiversity support—so we could surface the most compelling opportunity.
During a series of discovery sprints, we mapped gaps in existing solutions and interviewed clinicians across those domains. The clearest pain point emerged in autism therapy: many clinics still relied on paper flash-cards and handwritten session notes, tools that hadn’t evolved in decades. The client immediately connected with the potential to replace those outdated methods with something interactive, data-driven, and genuinely engaging for children. Their willingness to fund exploratory research and rapid prototyping gave us the freedom to pursue that vision—ultimately guiding us toward creating KiN.
Client Overview
Our sponsor was a small, all-women philanthropic collective dedicated to funding innovations that improve daily life for people with disabilities. Rather than prescribing a single brief, they encouraged us to cast a wide net—investigating needs across Parkinson’s care, low-vision accessibility, and neurodiversity support—so we could surface the most compelling opportunity.
During a series of discovery sprints, we mapped gaps in existing solutions and interviewed clinicians across those domains. The clearest pain point emerged in autism therapy: many clinics still relied on paper flash-cards and handwritten session notes, tools that hadn’t evolved in decades. The client immediately connected with the potential to replace those outdated methods with something interactive, data-driven, and genuinely engaging for children. Their willingness to fund exploratory research and rapid prototyping gave us the freedom to pursue that vision—ultimately guiding us toward creating KiN.
Problem Space
The project began when we partnered with a music therapist working with autistic children—was still relying on outdated flash-cards showing flat, two-dimensional faces. These cards covered only a handful of basic expressions, limiting how deeply children could explore the full spectrum of emotion.
The therapist faced a second challenge: while guiding each session, they also had to jot down results afterward, often relying on memory. Important details were frequently missed or misremembered.
Our goal, therefore, was twofold:
Create an engaging, interactive tool that represents a richer range of emotions and invites children to learn through play.
Automate data capture so the therapist can focus entirely on the exercise, confident that every response is recorded accurately for later analysis.
Problem Space
The project began when we partnered with a music therapist working with autistic children—was still relying on outdated flash-cards showing flat, two-dimensional faces. These cards covered only a handful of basic expressions, limiting how deeply children could explore the full spectrum of emotion.
The therapist faced a second challenge: while guiding each session, they also had to jot down results afterward, often relying on memory. Important details were frequently missed or misremembered.
Our goal, therefore, was twofold:
Create an engaging, interactive tool that represents a richer range of emotions and invites children to learn through play.
Automate data capture so the therapist can focus entirely on the exercise, confident that every response is recorded accurately for later analysis.
Problem Space
The project began when we partnered with a music therapist working with autistic children—was still relying on outdated flash-cards showing flat, two-dimensional faces. These cards covered only a handful of basic expressions, limiting how deeply children could explore the full spectrum of emotion.
The therapist faced a second challenge: while guiding each session, they also had to jot down results afterward, often relying on memory. Important details were frequently missed or misremembered.
Our goal, therefore, was twofold:
Create an engaging, interactive tool that represents a richer range of emotions and invites children to learn through play.
Automate data capture so the therapist can focus entirely on the exercise, confident that every response is recorded accurately for later analysis.
Problem Space
The project began when we partnered with a music therapist working with autistic children—was still relying on outdated flash-cards showing flat, two-dimensional faces. These cards covered only a handful of basic expressions, limiting how deeply children could explore the full spectrum of emotion.
The therapist faced a second challenge: while guiding each session, they also had to jot down results afterward, often relying on memory. Important details were frequently missed or misremembered.
Our goal, therefore, was twofold:
Create an engaging, interactive tool that represents a richer range of emotions and invites children to learn through play.
Automate data capture so the therapist can focus entirely on the exercise, confident that every response is recorded accurately for later analysis.
Image above: Close-up image of KiN showing smiling faces of different people.
Our product came together through a deliberately cross-disciplinary crew:
Sustainability Specialist – Guided material choices, manufacturing methods, and end-of-life design so the device would be safe for kids and environmentally responsible.
Business Analyst – Translated clinical requirements and market constraints into clear, data-backed priorities, keeping the roadmap grounded in both user value and commercial viability.
Lead Engineer – Turned interaction concepts into reliable firmware and hardware, ensuring the tactile screens, sensors, and connectivity all worked seamlessly.
Industrial Designer – Shaped a durable, child-friendly form factor that could survive drops, spills, and frequent travel between clinic and home.
UI/UX Designer (me) – Orchestrated the interaction model, visual language, and therapist dashboard, weaving research insights into every touchpoint.
Each discipline had an equal voice at the table; their perspectives constantly balanced one another—sustainability kept us honest about materials, business analysis kept us on strategy, engineering grounded our ideas in feasibility, and industrial design safeguarded ergonomics and durability. My role was to connect these threads through thoughtful user-centered design, ensuring the final product was not only viable and robust, but also delightful and therapeutic.
Our product came together through a deliberately cross-disciplinary crew:
Sustainability Specialist – Guided material choices, manufacturing methods, and end-of-life design so the device would be safe for kids and environmentally responsible.
Business Analyst – Translated clinical requirements and market constraints into clear, data-backed priorities, keeping the roadmap grounded in both user value and commercial viability.
Lead Engineer – Turned interaction concepts into reliable firmware and hardware, ensuring the tactile screens, sensors, and connectivity all worked seamlessly.
Industrial Designer – Shaped a durable, child-friendly form factor that could survive drops, spills, and frequent travel between clinic and home.
UI/UX Designer (me) – Orchestrated the interaction model, visual language, and therapist dashboard, weaving research insights into every touchpoint.
Each discipline had an equal voice at the table; their perspectives constantly balanced one another—sustainability kept us honest about materials, business analysis kept us on strategy, engineering grounded our ideas in feasibility, and industrial design safeguarded ergonomics and durability. My role was to connect these threads through thoughtful user-centered design, ensuring the final product was not only viable and robust, but also delightful and therapeutic.
Our product came together through a deliberately cross-disciplinary crew:
Sustainability Specialist – Guided material choices, manufacturing methods, and end-of-life design so the device would be safe for kids and environmentally responsible.
Business Analyst – Translated clinical requirements and market constraints into clear, data-backed priorities, keeping the roadmap grounded in both user value and commercial viability.
Lead Engineer – Turned interaction concepts into reliable firmware and hardware, ensuring the tactile screens, sensors, and connectivity all worked seamlessly.
Industrial Designer – Shaped a durable, child-friendly form factor that could survive drops, spills, and frequent travel between clinic and home.
UI/UX Designer (me) – Orchestrated the interaction model, visual language, and therapist dashboard, weaving research insights into every touchpoint.
Each discipline had an equal voice at the table; their perspectives constantly balanced one another—sustainability kept us honest about materials, business analysis kept us on strategy, engineering grounded our ideas in feasibility, and industrial design safeguarded ergonomics and durability. My role was to connect these threads through thoughtful user-centered design, ensuring the final product was not only viable and robust, but also delightful and therapeutic.
Our product came together through a deliberately cross-disciplinary crew:
Sustainability Specialist – Guided material choices, manufacturing methods, and end-of-life design so the device would be safe for kids and environmentally responsible.
Business Analyst – Translated clinical requirements and market constraints into clear, data-backed priorities, keeping the roadmap grounded in both user value and commercial viability.
Lead Engineer – Turned interaction concepts into reliable firmware and hardware, ensuring the tactile screens, sensors, and connectivity all worked seamlessly.
Industrial Designer – Shaped a durable, child-friendly form factor that could survive drops, spills, and frequent travel between clinic and home.
UI/UX Designer (me) – Orchestrated the interaction model, visual language, and therapist dashboard, weaving research insights into every touchpoint.
Each discipline had an equal voice at the table; their perspectives constantly balanced one another—sustainability kept us honest about materials, business analysis kept us on strategy, engineering grounded our ideas in feasibility, and industrial design safeguarded ergonomics and durability. My role was to connect these threads through thoughtful user-centered design, ensuring the final product was not only viable and robust, but also delightful and therapeutic.
Video above: A video made that was based off a conversation we had with the Music Therapist we were working with, and the needs she had in her classroom. She also wrote an original song she wrote called "Happy" that was inspired by KiN and sings it at the end of the video.
KiN looks like a chunky toy block, yet works like a therapist’s super-tool. Each of its six interactive faces is a touch-responsive screen that can display expressive faces, bold colors, and numbers. Children rotate, tap, and shake the cube, transforming abstract emotions into dynamic, learn-by-doing moments.
Therapist-guided games – Clinicians define and build a catalog of research-backed activities and map them onto any of the cube’s six sides. A simple starter game might be “Find the happy face.” Several expressions appear on different faces; the child twists the cube and taps the happy one, triggering a celebratory animation that reinforces success.
Multi-sensory cues – Each emotion pairs a facial expression with a signature color, number, optional sound, and subtle haptic pulse, giving children multiple pathways to recognition and recall.
Any setting, same magic – KiN travels easily between clinic and living room. In group therapy, its pass-and-play format encourages turn-taking and shared attention; at home, it sparks parent-child conversations about feelings.
Progress you can see – The cube logs touches, response times, resiliency and accuracy automatically, compiling clear progress charts for therapists and parents—no clipboard required.
Built to last, built for every child – A drop-proof, wipe-clean housing stands up to energetic, kinetic play. Modular software lets therapists swap in new games or adjust color/contrast for individual sensory needs.
In short, KiN wraps clinically proven methods inside a joyful six-sided experience—helping autistic children explore emotional nuance while freeing therapists to focus on connection rather than note-taking.
KiN looks like a chunky toy block, yet works like a therapist’s super-tool. Each of its six interactive faces is a touch-responsive screen that can display expressive faces, bold colors, and numbers. Children rotate, tap, and shake the cube, transforming abstract emotions into dynamic, learn-by-doing moments.
Therapist-guided games – Clinicians define and build a catalog of research-backed activities and map them onto any of the cube’s six sides. A simple starter game might be “Find the happy face.” Several expressions appear on different faces; the child twists the cube and taps the happy one, triggering a celebratory animation that reinforces success.
Multi-sensory cues – Each emotion pairs a facial expression with a signature color, number, optional sound, and subtle haptic pulse, giving children multiple pathways to recognition and recall.
Any setting, same magic – KiN travels easily between clinic and living room. In group therapy, its pass-and-play format encourages turn-taking and shared attention; at home, it sparks parent-child conversations about feelings.
Progress you can see – The cube logs touches, response times, resiliency and accuracy automatically, compiling clear progress charts for therapists and parents—no clipboard required.
Built to last, built for every child – A drop-proof, wipe-clean housing stands up to energetic, kinetic play. Modular software lets therapists swap in new games or adjust color/contrast for individual sensory needs.
In short, KiN wraps clinically proven methods inside a joyful six-sided experience—helping autistic children explore emotional nuance while freeing therapists to focus on connection rather than note-taking.
KiN looks like a chunky toy block, yet works like a therapist’s super-tool. Each of its six interactive faces is a touch-responsive screen that can display expressive faces, bold colors, and numbers. Children rotate, tap, and shake the cube, transforming abstract emotions into dynamic, learn-by-doing moments.
Therapist-guided games – Clinicians define and build a catalog of research-backed activities and map them onto any of the cube’s six sides. A simple starter game might be “Find the happy face.” Several expressions appear on different faces; the child twists the cube and taps the happy one, triggering a celebratory animation that reinforces success.
Multi-sensory cues – Each emotion pairs a facial expression with a signature color, number, optional sound, and subtle haptic pulse, giving children multiple pathways to recognition and recall.
Any setting, same magic – KiN travels easily between clinic and living room. In group therapy, its pass-and-play format encourages turn-taking and shared attention; at home, it sparks parent-child conversations about feelings.
Progress you can see – The cube logs touches, response times, resiliency and accuracy automatically, compiling clear progress charts for therapists and parents—no clipboard required.
Built to last, built for every child – A drop-proof, wipe-clean housing stands up to energetic, kinetic play. Modular software lets therapists swap in new games or adjust color/contrast for individual sensory needs.
In short, KiN wraps clinically proven methods inside a joyful six-sided experience—helping autistic children explore emotional nuance while freeing therapists to focus on connection rather than note-taking.
KiN looks like a chunky toy block, yet works like a therapist’s super-tool. Each of its six interactive faces is a touch-responsive screen that can display expressive faces, bold colors, and numbers. Children rotate, tap, and shake the cube, transforming abstract emotions into dynamic, learn-by-doing moments.
Therapist-guided games – Clinicians define and build a catalog of research-backed activities and map them onto any of the cube’s six sides. A simple starter game might be “Find the happy face.” Several expressions appear on different faces; the child twists the cube and taps the happy one, triggering a celebratory animation that reinforces success.
Multi-sensory cues – Each emotion pairs a facial expression with a signature color, number, optional sound, and subtle haptic pulse, giving children multiple pathways to recognition and recall.
Any setting, same magic – KiN travels easily between clinic and living room. In group therapy, its pass-and-play format encourages turn-taking and shared attention; at home, it sparks parent-child conversations about feelings.
Progress you can see – The cube logs touches, response times, resiliency and accuracy automatically, compiling clear progress charts for therapists and parents—no clipboard required.
Built to last, built for every child – A drop-proof, wipe-clean housing stands up to energetic, kinetic play. Modular software lets therapists swap in new games or adjust color/contrast for individual sensory needs.
In short, KiN wraps clinically proven methods inside a joyful six-sided experience—helping autistic children explore emotional nuance while freeing therapists to focus on connection rather than note-taking.
KiN is designed to evolve alongside the people who use it.
Adaptive learning path – As a child’s emotional understanding deepens, KiN automatically unlocks more nuanced expressions, scenarios, and multi‑step games, ensuring the experience stays engaging—not frustrating.
Beyond the spectrum – Navigating feelings is challenging for everyone. Future modes will re‑skin content for neurotypical learners, teens, and even workplace wellness workshops, broadening KiN’s impact.
Connected progress – A secure cloud sync will let families, therapists, and teachers monitor growth in real time.
Create‑your‑own content – A drag‑and‑drop builder will allow therapists or parents to author custom games, cultural contexts, and languages—meeting each child exactly where they are.
Sustainable hardware roadmap – Upcoming revisions will use bio‑resin shells, modular electronics, and repairable parts, staying true to our commitment to eco‑responsible design.
With these plans, KiN will continue to grow, adapt, and help people—on and off the autism spectrum—navigate the ever‑expanding landscape of human emotion.
KiN is designed to evolve alongside the people who use it.
Adaptive learning path – As a child’s emotional understanding deepens, KiN automatically unlocks more nuanced expressions, scenarios, and multi‑step games, ensuring the experience stays engaging—not frustrating.
Beyond the spectrum – Navigating feelings is challenging for everyone. Future modes will re‑skin content for neurotypical learners, teens, and even workplace wellness workshops, broadening KiN’s impact.
Connected progress – A secure cloud sync will let families, therapists, and teachers monitor growth in real time.
Create‑your‑own content – A drag‑and‑drop builder will allow therapists or parents to author custom games, cultural contexts, and languages—meeting each child exactly where they are.
Sustainable hardware roadmap – Upcoming revisions will use bio‑resin shells, modular electronics, and repairable parts, staying true to our commitment to eco‑responsible design.
With these plans, KiN will continue to grow, adapt, and help people—on and off the autism spectrum—navigate the ever‑expanding landscape of human emotion.
KiN is designed to evolve alongside the people who use it.
Adaptive learning path – As a child’s emotional understanding deepens, KiN automatically unlocks more nuanced expressions, scenarios, and multi‑step games, ensuring the experience stays engaging—not frustrating.
Beyond the spectrum – Navigating feelings is challenging for everyone. Future modes will re‑skin content for neurotypical learners, teens, and even workplace wellness workshops, broadening KiN’s impact.
Connected progress – A secure cloud sync will let families, therapists, and teachers monitor growth in real time.
Create‑your‑own content – A drag‑and‑drop builder will allow therapists or parents to author custom games, cultural contexts, and languages—meeting each child exactly where they are.
Sustainable hardware roadmap – Upcoming revisions will use bio‑resin shells, modular electronics, and repairable parts, staying true to our commitment to eco‑responsible design.
With these plans, KiN will continue to grow, adapt, and help people—on and off the autism spectrum—navigate the ever‑expanding landscape of human emotion.
KiN is designed to evolve alongside the people who use it.
Adaptive learning path – As a child’s emotional understanding deepens, KiN automatically unlocks more nuanced expressions, scenarios, and multi‑step games, ensuring the experience stays engaging—not frustrating.
Beyond the spectrum – Navigating feelings is challenging for everyone. Future modes will re‑skin content for neurotypical learners, teens, and even workplace wellness workshops, broadening KiN’s impact.
Connected progress – A secure cloud sync will let families, therapists, and teachers monitor growth in real time.
Create‑your‑own content – A drag‑and‑drop builder will allow therapists or parents to author custom games, cultural contexts, and languages—meeting each child exactly where they are.
Sustainable hardware roadmap – Upcoming revisions will use bio‑resin shells, modular electronics, and repairable parts, staying true to our commitment to eco‑responsible design.
With these plans, KiN will continue to grow, adapt, and help people—on and off the autism spectrum—navigate the ever‑expanding landscape of human emotion.
Image above: A workflow of logging into KiN and the experience of correctly or incorrectly identifying an emotion.