Design Futures: Jessica Zarin Kessin - Play for All – All Children, All Abilities October 7, 2009

A child’s job is to play. However, there are millions of children who do not have the option of toys that are designed with their needs and abilities in mind. Development by Design is changing that. DbD uses Universal Design principles to create toys and games that all children can engage in, learn from and, most importantly, have fun! DbD toys aid in the development of cognitive, motor, emotional and social skills by targeting forty skills in ten distinct areas of development. Developed with a pediatric occupational therapist, DbD toys allow kids, with or without special needs, the opportunity to develop new skills and have fun just being kids.

Jessica Zarin Kessin is a product designer located in San Francisco, CA. Jessica’s commitment to using Universal Design and creating products for all, inspired her to start and run Development by Design. Development by Design (DbD) is a developmental toy company for children of all needs and abilities that was launched in 2007 and now has 14 products on the market in a range of stores and locations. Jessica believes a child’s job is play and building skills through play should be accessible to every child. Previously, Jessica had been a designer for Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, multiple toy companies and a range of other clients. She has designed products ranging from toys to glassware and loves the design process for all of them. Jessica is an expert in child development, product design and universal design. Jessica is also fluent in American Sign Language and has been very involved with the deaf community for the last 14 years.

This talk happens as part of the Design Futures series, sponsored by the Berkeley Center for New Media and the Berkeley School of Information

Official Website: http://groups.ischool.berkeley.edu/dbox/?page_id=36