Designers: Chueh Lee of Art Center College of Design
Client: Nokia Mobile Phone
Contact: Chueh Lee, 626.864.0784

This communication device for families uses the 'virtual pet' craze to keep children safe and in touch with their parents. Idealized for ages 4-9, the necklace-style device incorporates a wireless phone, pager, voice manager and GPS as well as a radar system that allows the parents to identify a child's location. Its friendly interface would encourage the child to use, not lose, the device. The system can be upgraded with additional units and the data can be transferred from one child to another easily.

"KIDCOM-a digital communicator for children-is a very sophisticated solution for an undergraduate submittal. Many jurors remarked that it rivaled professional presentations. The quality of presentation clearly displayed a sophisticated combination of form, color variation and controls made this project stand out right away. The product/concept clearly demonstrated how design can create an appropriate interface between technology and a specific market segment."
Craig Vogel, IDSA, College of Fine Arts, Carnegie Mellon University

© 1999 Industrial Designers Society of America