Playground Equipment Design

“I wish I would have thought of this myself”, the lead Designer said. “I am going home and building one of these in my backyard”, the lead Engineer said. In 2015, I had the opportunity to work as a student consultant for PlayWorld Systems, Inc. to create a product that would bring the amusement park experience to the playground. As the only engineer on an interdisciplinary team, I helped incorporate the principles of physics in a design that created a thrilling and educational experience for kids, “The Tower of Tunnels”. Seeing children’s mouths open with wonder, excitement, and curiosity as they interacted with our life-size prototype was one of the most rewarding moments of my career thus far

This experience truly exposed me to a deep-dive design process on an interdisciplinary team. I explored ideas through observation, sketching, and modeling and learned that craftsmanship is key to "showing what you mean". I learned the importance of storytelling when communicating product and learned that "the only bad draft is the one we do not write". Imagination needs iteration and its crucial to integrate form and function in prototypes. I began to consistently encourage and embrace critique. I gained experience working with external stakeholders and clients, and communicating ideas to them effectively. I learned how to fail completely and re-energize a team to persevere and succeed. I also gained further experience with physical modeling techniques related to x-acto knives, laser cutters, 3D printers, wood power tools, foam core, clay, and more.