UNICEF Innovation

OVERVIEW

In this project, we aimed to design microlearning experiences that encourage children’s curiosity and enable them to engage with complex concepts in biotechnology.

TEAM

Four designers with research + design skills

STATUS

UNICEF’s Innovation Nodes create transdisciplinary and collaborative spaces that focus on generating novel wisdom in areas of potential innovation for children.

I partnered with UNICEF to explore how emerging technologies can bring delight to the lives of children.

Young voices, big impact

Our target audience was a diverse group of curious young learners from around the globe. We co-created the experience with 11 children—boys and girls from six different countries—through conversations in five languages. This ensured our design was both inclusive and resonant.

The world through their eyes

We used storyboarding and card sorting activities to step into the children’s world, exploring how they learn and what they care about. These exercises revealed their unique perspectives and helped us design experiences that truly resonate with them.

Concept 1: Using AR

Phase 1 features a physical card game, providing a tactile, peer-based way for children to learn without needing internet or smartphones. Phase 2 takes learning further with a mobile app that uses AR to deliver immersive micro-learning experiences. This phase helps children engage with complex concepts in a way that’s both interactive and relevant to their own context.

Images: AR game concept based on child’s quote “Vaccination is like boxers fighting the bad things in your body”

Concept 2: Learn through play

Phase 1 introduces a card game that builds awareness and kickstarts the learning process in a fun, approachable way. While Phase 1 works seamlessly with Phase 2—a web app that extends learning with adjustable difficulty levels—the card game stands alone as a valuable resource, offering an engaging, self-contained learning experience.

Experience the journey with Dalisay

To bring these concepts to life, we created a short YouTube video that takes you through the full experience via the story of Dalisay, a young girl with big dreams.

Prototyping & testing

We started with paper prototypes, using hand-drawn sketches to quickly test concepts with children. In later rounds, we introduced character-based illustrations to make gameplay more engaging and relatable. Each iteration helped us refine the design, increasing both interest and immersion in the learning experience.

Execution

Project Play is a UNICEF initiative that makes pre-printed and pre-cut toys onto RUTF cardboard packaging. This is where our execution strategy stemmed from. We designed our entire game experience to be a part of these boxes and enable biotechnology to touch the lives of millions of children.

Gallery

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Gallery •

  • Presenting & facilitating a LIVE Q&A with the UNICEF's Office of Innovation global team

  • The team 🎉 L to R: Juanita Thota, Gunjan Alagh, Nikhila Isukapally, Ding Li

  • Initial brainstorming and gathering insights during the discovery phase of the project

  • Testing the card game with children and joining in because who can resist a card game?

  • Virtual storyboard co-creation activity with children from Myanmar

  • Setting up the cards and explaining game play before a testing session

  • The team along with Lumi, the UNICEF's Office of Innovation mascot

  • A candid shot of the team at our weekly meeting, most certainly fueled with laughter

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Later rounds of testing using character based illustrations for increased interest and relatability in game play among children.