Dudo: An Innovative Synthesizer Toy for Children's Musical Enlightenment

Hsin Chen Lin and Zi Yun Hsu's Award-Winning Design Fosters Creativity and Learning

The uniqueness of Dudo lies in its auditory and visual synthesizer properties. It's designed to teach basic music theory and synthesizer knowledge, stimulating children's creativity and imagination. The toy's difficulty level can increase with age, and its different connection methods allow for expanded functions and multiplayer mode.

From a technical perspective, Dudo is designed with children's human factors engineering in mind. It uses capacitive sensing to trigger drum sounds and is made from non-toxic plastic suitable for children. The free assembly of Eurorack Modular Synthesizer is utilized, allowing children to connect in nine different ways. This versatility enables children to create melodies, switch between wave timbres, adjust frequencies, and add rhythm to their compositions.

The design process of Dudo was not without its challenges. The team had to simplify the complex language and functionality of Eurorack Modular Synthesizer into a format that children could understand and operate. The goal was to create a toy that could grow with the child, increasing in difficulty as they matured. This required a balance of making the toy easy to operate while also enticing enough to keep children engaged.

The result is a toy that not only fills a market gap but also serves as an educational tool. Dudo was recognized for its innovation and creativity, winning the Silver A' Toys, Games, and Hobby Products Design Award in 2023. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and Dudo certainly fits the bill.

The project, which began in September 2022, is still ongoing and is expected to be exhibited at the Young Designers' Exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan in May 2023. With its unique approach to musical enlightenment for children, Dudo is set to make a significant impact in the world of synthetic music and children's toys.