Jerry the Bear

An interactive teddybear educating and comforting children with type 1 diabetes

By taking care of Jerry’s diabetes, children learn about the daily routines of diabetes care. Children count carbs, monitor Jerry’s blood sugar, and give Jerry insulin with the accompanying app. Jerry is beloved by over 5,000 children with type 1 diabetes worldwide.

Role (2009-2020)

Led all aspects of design from inception to market. Launched two product versions (went through a major product redesign in 2016).

Product Development: Concept, Research, Opportunity Mapping, Prototyping, Testing, Character Development, Graphic Design, Packaging, Manufacturing

Web & App Development: UI/UX, Art/Visual Direction, Art/Visual Assets – 2D & 3D, AR, Testing, Audio Editing & Directing, Localization, Content

Story (Jerry has interactive storybooks): Worldbuilding, Character Development, Story Development, Art Direction, Story Writing

Brand/Marketing: Logo, Brand Development, Graphic Design (Web, Collateral), Content – Social Media

Other: Project Management, Client Management, Sourcing Contractors, Contractors Management, Stakeholder & Community Development, Curriculum Development

My Special Aflac Duck

A social robot comforting children undergoing cancer treatments

Children learn how to express difficult emotions to caregivers through the duck and the accompanying accessories. With the provided app, children play soothing soundscapes, do medical play, and administer chemotherapy to their duck. Provided at no cost to families, over 13,000 ducks have impacted children in the U.S. and Japan.

Role (2017-2020)

Led all aspects of design from inception to market. Launched two product versions (for children, for child life specialists).

Product Development: Concept, Research, Opportunity Mapping, Prototyping, Testing, Character Development, Audio & Music Directing, Graphic Design, Packaging, Manufacturing, Content

App Development: UI/UX, Art/Visual Direction, Art/Visual Assets – 2D & 3D, AR, Testing, Audio Editing & Directing, Content

Brand/Marketing: Graphic Design & Art (Collateral), Content

Other: Project Management, Stakeholder & Community Development, Curriculum Development

Purrble

An interactive companion helping children feel calm and build resilience

Purrble is designed from multi-year research on play-based methodology on helping children feel calm and focused. When Purrble is startled, children pet and care for their companion by slowing their heartbeat to a gentle purr. As children calm Purrble, they learn how to calm themselves.

Role (2018-2020)

Led all aspects of design from inception to market.

Product Development: Concept, Research, Opportunity Mapping, Prototyping, Testing, Character Development, Plush Development, Audio Directing, Graphic Design, Packaging, Manufacturing, Content Development

Web Development: UI/UX, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Content

Brand/Marketing: Logo, Brand Development, Graphic Design (Web, Collateral)

Other: Project Management, Stakeholder & Community Development