Project Background:
This senior capstone project focused on developing a more accessible doll specifically designed for children with fine motor challenges. Over the course of the semester, this project combined research, product design, branding, and physical prototyping to explore the role of play in childhood development while aiming to create a more supportive, inclusive, and accessible play experience for children of all abilities.

Research & Direction:
Inspired by both childhood experiences with dolls and research on the importance of play in development, the direction of the brand was centered around combining accessibility with the emotional appeal and storytelling often found in higher-end doll brands. For the visual direction of the brand, I was inspired by the imagery of kaleidoscopes. I was drawn to how every twist and turn creates a different image, yet each one is equally beautiful. I connected this idea to how every child plays differently based on their own abilities and experiences, while each form of play is equally meaningful in supporting imagination, learning, and growth. This inspiration also led to the name Kalei (kay-LEE) for the brand.

Results:
The doll was brought to life using Vizcom, a sketch-to-render AI platform that transformed initial concepts into realistic prototypes. I also incorporated additional AI tools to further develop the doll’s branding, clothing designs, and promotional imagery. To expand the project beyond the doll itself, I designed packaging and promotional materials that explored how the brand would exist in a real-world setting while communicating Kalei’s mission, accessible features, and overall brand identity, targeting both the children and parents of children with fine-motor challenges.

Logo Design, Branding, Package Design, Information Design,
Web Design, Social Graphics