Using virtual reality and rapid prototyping to co-create together with hospitalized children

Abstract

This study reports on a social project involving a collaborative process to co-create toys together with hospitalized children, using Virtual Reality, play practices and 3D Printing technologies. The project had two main phases: the co-creative process with the children and the production of prototypes based on the children’s creative drawings. For the activities involving the children, static virtual reality environments were created to stimulate the children to draw. These drawings were used as reference for the design of 3D toys that then were printed in plastic. A positive effect of the experience on the children’s behaviour was observed during the hospital routine procedures. Despite the technology required and considerably high cost for producing custom pieces with 3D printing, the project was executed successfully. This initiative shows the potential for practical interdisciplinary collaboration approaches between product design and health sciences.