Industrial - Bachelors

Stushy

The Stushy is an interactive storytelling plushy designed for children as a healthier alternative to electronic devices before bed. As children grow and transition into school, quality sleep becomes crucial, impacting their physical well-being, learning and memory. The Stushy helps children unwind and establish a consistent bedtime routine.

Justin Duong

An interactive (S)-tory (T)-elling device that’s also a pl-(USHY).

the problem

Sleep is a critical component of a child’s overall health and development yet up to 50 per cent of children experience sleep problems (Carter et al., 2014). Poor sleep quality has been linked to a range of negative outcomes and potential long-term health issues. Furthermore, proper sleep is essential for cognitive performance, learning, and memory which becomes increasingly significant as children transition into school. Despite the growing recognition of its importance, many children continue to experience disrupted sleep, leading to concerns among parents.

“How can we improve children’s sleep quality?”

Photo of young child sleeping on her side.

The Research

Research from studies, parent surveys, and interviews with a children’s sleep consultant highlights three key factors that impact sleep quality for children: maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, incorporating physical activity, and using sleep-assistive devices. These insights open up design opportunities that can be integrated throughout a child’s daily life. Initial concept exploration included products that promote physical activity to induce tiredness, alongside other assistive designs aimed at enhancing sleep quality. However, survey results revealed that parents’ biggest challenge is limiting their children’s screen time before bed, which directed the design focus toward creating a solution that encourages routine and consistency in bedtime habits.
This image is a graphic representation of energy levels in children aged 7-10 throughout their evening routine after arriving home. The left side contains text blocks listing key strategies for improving children's sleep quality: "Physical activity to create tiredness" "Products to create bedtime routines and consistency" "Sleep assistive products to improve sleep quality." On the right side, a line graph charts children’s energy levels from "Arriving Home" to "Sleep" on a scale of 0 to 100, where 100 represents high energy and 0 represents low energy. The energy level starts high when they arrive home and gradually declines by bedtime. Each point on the graph corresponds to an evening activity: Arriving Home: Energy level is high. Snack Time and Homework Time: Energy gradually decreases. Playtime: Energy briefly spikes. Family Dinner: Energy level begins to decline again. Wind Down: Energy lowers significantly. Sleep: Energy reaches near-zero. Illustrations of products are placed near each phase: Playtime: An interactive play mat for physical activity. Wind Down: A StoryBus that unlocks new story chapters each night, building a bedtime routine. Sleep Preparation: A "DreamTime Kindle" as a screen-free reading and drawing alternative. Sleep: "We Sleep in Peace" projector displaying calming sounds and visuals, and a “Calm Cloud” pillow with cooling gel and gentle stimulation. This progression suggests how each product concept can support children in gradually winding down from high energy after school to a relaxed state before bed, promoting better sleep.

Initial Concepts in Context

These are initial concept designs aimed at improving bedtime habits and sleep quality for children by targeting specific points in their evening routine. Each concept addresses a different opportunity in the typical after-school-to-bedtime transition:

1. Interactive Mat (Playtime) – This concept is designed for the “playtime” phase, shortly after children come home from school. The interactive mat encourages physical activity through engaging games like Tic Tac Toe, helping children burn off energy and become naturally tired. This activity supports an easier transition to bedtime by reducing restlessness later in the evening.

2. StoryBus (Bedtime Routine) – The StoryBus concept fits into the “bedtime routine” phase. Each night, it reveals new story chapters, motivating children to follow a consistent bedtime schedule to unlock the next part of the story. This approach builds excitement around bedtime and reinforces a sense of routine, which is known to support better sleep.

3. DreamTime Kindle (Wind-Down Time) – The DreamTime Kindle is ideal for the “wind-down” phase, just before bed. It provides a healthy alternative to regular screens, offering children a relaxing, screen-free way to read or draw. This device helps children settle down and shift their focus away from stimulating electronic devices, which can interfere with sleep.

4. We Sleep in Peace Projector (Falling Asleep) – The “We Sleep in Peace” projector is designed for the “falling asleep” phase, creating a soothing environment in the child’s room. With calming sounds and visuals, it helps reduce anxiety and creates a peaceful setting that promotes better sleep.

5. Calm Cloud Pillow (Sleep Preparation) – Calm Cloud supports the “sleep preparation” phase by providing a comfortable sleep aid. Its cooling gel and gentle TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) help regulate body temperature and promote relaxation, easing the child into a more restful sleep. This concept addresses the need for non-invasive, calming sleep support.

Concepts 2 (StoryBus) and 3 (DreamTime Kindle) were ideas that were iterated upon to create a final concept that encourages a consistent bedtime routine and consistency.

final concept video
The image shows a unique handheld device with a soft, ergonomic design. The outer shell is dark and textured, likely for a comfortable grip. The screen, which has a light blue frame, displays a grayscale image of a character from a graphic novel or a game. Below the screen are physical buttons: a transparent directional pad on the left and two smaller circular buttons on the right. The device has rounded edges and a curved shape, making it easy to hold in one hand, suggesting it may be designed for accessibility or for young users.

Introducing… the Stushy!

The Stushy is a unique visual storytelling device that doubles as a plushy, designed specifically for children aged 7 to 10 who struggle with managing screen time before bed. Many children in this age group find it difficult to maintain a healthy bedtime routine, often engaging with blue-light emitting screens that disrupt their sleep cycle. The Stushy addresses this challenge by offering an interactive and creative reading experience, allowing children to immerse themselves in engaging stories while avoiding harmful blue light. The soft, plushy case not only makes it a cozy companion but also helps children relax, creating a calming bedtime environment that promotes healthy sleep habits and a smooth transition to rest.
The image shows a child holding a handheld device in a dimly lit environment. The device has a soft, rounded shape with a textured dark exterior and appears easy to grip with both hands. It features a light blue frame around a screen that displays a grayscale image of a character from a story or game. Below the screen, there is a bright directional pad on the left and two round buttons on the right, both gently illuminated, likely to aid visibility in low light. The overall scene conveys a sense of quiet, immersive playtime.

Interactive storytelling

The Stushy combines fun, comfort, and creativity to make bedtime exciting. Its playful, plush shape is easy for children to hold, while ergonomic grips provide a secure and comfortable fit. The glow-in-the-dark buttons allow for easy interaction, even in low light. The device features an engaging “choose your own adventure” story, where children make decisions to craft their own unique bedtime endings. This interactive storytelling sparks creativity and independence, helping children unwind and build a consistent, calming bedtime routine for a peaceful night’s sleep.
The image shows a child sleeping peacefully in a dimly lit bedroom with the device half tucked into the blankets beside them. The soft, rounded edges of the device blend comfortably against the bed, with its textured surface partially visible. The screen, now dimmed while the gently illuminated buttons cast a soft glow onto the blanket, creating a cozy atmosphere. The child's hand rests near the device, suggesting they fell asleep while interacting with it, hinting at a comforting bedtime routine. The scene feels serene, as the device integrates seamlessly into the child’s sleep environment, providing both companionship and calm.

The Perfect Bedtime Companion

Sleeping with the Stushy offers a soothing and cozy experience that helps children unwind before bed. The soft, removable plush cover provides a comforting cuddle, making it feel like a familiar bedtime companion. As the child prepares for sleep, the Stushy’s drowsiness detector gradually reduces sound and vibrations, ensuring a smooth transition to rest. Gentle haptic feedback contributes to a calming atmosphere, further promoting relaxation. The device’s plush design not only offers comfort but also creates a peaceful environment that fosters restful sleep throughout the night. With its calming features and comforting presence, the Stushy is the perfect companion to help children drift off into a peaceful and rejuvenating sleep.
Exploded view of all the Stushy - outlining how all the components join together.

Manufacturing and Components

With a total of 18 components, a soft polyester velour plush cover is sewn for added comfort and is fully removable making it easily washable for long-lasting hygiene. The outer shell is manufactured using injection-moulded ABS plastic with a glossy finish which provides durability and ensures easy cleaning. The buttons and directional pad are also injection-moulded ABS plastic which offer a satisfying tactile response, thanks to the silicone rubber membrane beneath them which are manufactured using compression moulding. Powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and a 3.7V 3000mAh battery, the Stushy provides weeks of use to the E-ink module, speakers and vibration motors.
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DDR
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Research Report
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Justin Duong

As an Industrial Designer and Marketing student, Justin brings a deep interest in CAD and manufacturing. He is motivated to grow his skillset and explore new avenues in product design and marketing.