Using the science of music to help develop your baby's brain
Using the science of music to help develop your baby's brain
MY ROLE
UX / UI Design
MY ROLE
UX / UI Design
CREATIVE TEAM
Pixel Tours
CREATIVE TEAM
Pixel Tours
PROJECT DATE
2015 - 2019
PROJECT DATE
2015 - 2019
COMPANY
The Royal Conservatory
of Music
COMPANY
The Royal Conservatory
of Music
Making brain science fun and approachable
Making brain science fun and approachable
Smart Start is an early childhood educational app created in partnership with the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Smart Start combines RCM’s acclaimed teaching methods with the latest neuroscience research to provide parents and newborns a unique musical bonding experience that kickstarts motor, cognitive, spatial and perceptual awareness.
Our task was to take the science, and shape it into a fun, simple habit building experience that parents could use as an aid in music play with their infant.
Smart Start is an early childhood educational app created in partnership with the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Smart Start combines RCM’s acclaimed teaching methods with the latest neuroscience research to provide parents and newborns a unique musical bonding experience that kickstarts motor, cognitive, spatial and perceptual awareness.
Our task was to take the science, and shape it into a fun, simple habit building experience that parents could use as an aid in music play with their infant.
Screen-free playtime between parent and child
Even through this was an app, we didn't want it to distract from the bonding experience between parent and child. Each session is designed to be played through entirely with the phone out of sight. We designed intuitive audio cues to guide the parent through the musical activities, with large simple controls in case the session needed to be interrupted. This kept the intention on what mattered and not the phone.
Screen-free playtime between parent and child
Even through this was an app, we didn't want it to distract from the bonding experience between parent and child. Each session is designed to be played through entirely with the phone out of sight. We designed intuitive audio cues to guide the parent through the musical activities, with large simple controls in case the session needed to be interrupted. This kept the intention on what mattered and not the phone.
Healthy habits through gamification
The research showed that playing one musical session a day, 3 to 4 times a week yielded optimal development in newborns.
To create this behaviour we designed a simple and playful reward system. Each day, completing one session rewards a unique, collectible, handcrafted sticker. The app tracks streaks over the last 7 days, providing positive reinforcement and building optimal habits.
Healthy habits through gamification
The research showed that playing one musical session a day, 3 to 4 times a week yielded optimal development in newborns.
To create this behaviour we designed a simple and playful reward system. Each day, completing one session rewards a unique, collectible, handcrafted sticker. The app tracks streaks over the last 7 days, providing positive reinforcement and building optimal habits.
Critical Reception
Smart Start released to fantastic reception. After its first year on the iOS App Store Smart Start had maintained a 4.8 star rating.
Parents found the app incredibly easy to use and helped them build a healthy development schedule with their child.
Critical Reception
Smart Start released to fantastic reception. After its first year on the iOS App Store Smart Start had maintained a 4.8 star rating.
Parents found the app incredibly easy to use and helped them build a healthy development schedule with their child.
