Sprout to Plate

Designing Inclusive Play.

An honors thesis exploring modular, gender-neutral playsets for preschool settings through hands-on research and iterative design.

  • Classroom observations & stakeholder interviews
  • Iterative prototyping & material testing
  • Final modular, inclusive playset design
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Modular playset render in a warm classroom setting

Thesis Journey

  1. Discovery

    Discovery & Research

    Classroom observations, educator interviews, and synthesis of pain points into four core themes.

  3. Ideation

    Ideation & Concepts

    Sketches, mood boards, and modular geometry explorations with neutral palettes.

  5. Prototyping

    Prototyping & Testing

    Cardboard prototypes tested for scale and usability.

  7. Final

    Final Design

    A modular, gender-neutral playset with natural materials, integrated storage, and ASTM compliance.

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Explore the Work

Dive into the research, process, and outcomes of this senior design project.

Research findings board

Thesis Research

Pain Points Solutions
  • Four core pain points identified
  • Stakeholder interview synthesis
  • Design principles for inclusive play
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Design process sketches

Design Process

Iteration Prototyping
  • From observations to final render
  • Material swatch testing
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Materials and standards

Research Archive

Materials Safety
  • Recommended material specifications
  • ASTM safety analysis
  • Sustainability considerations
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Explore the Full Thesis

Every iteration brought us closer to a playset that honors how children actually play—cooperatively, creatively, and without limits.

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Thesis document preview

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main research question?

This thesis asks how modular, gender-neutral playsets can address the limitations of current pretend-play furniture in preschool and therapy settings.

What materials were chosen?

Natural birch plywood, canvas, silicone, and nontoxic ABS plastic were selected for durability, sensory feedback, and ASTM F963 compliance.

How is the playset inclusive?

It features wheelchair-accessible reach ranges, gender-neutral colors, varied sensory textures, and open-ended scenarios that avoid prescriptive roles.