Noki

Noki

Noki

An AR app for kids that turns soft toys into playful worlds of learning and imagination.

An AR app for kids that turns soft toys into playful worlds of learning and imagination.

An AR app for kids that turns soft toys into playful worlds of learning and imagination.

This an augmented reality app created for kids to spark imagination and playful learning. By pointing a device at their soft toy or drawing, children can unlock animated characters, interactive stories, and creative challenges that transform their environment into a world of discovery. The app is designed with a kid-friendly interface and combines education and entertainment, making AR an accessible, magical tool for young learners.

My Role:

Product Designer

Year:

Year:

Year:

2025

Tools:

Figma

Midjourney

ChatGPT 4.0

MeshyAI

Lens Studio

01

Vision of the Project

The Problem

The Problem

The Problem

There’s a gap between fun digital experiences that kids love and meaningful educational tools that truly engage them. Most apps are either purely entertaining or overly academic, and few bridge the digital and physical worlds in a safe, age-appropriate way using AR. Kids deserve digital experiences that are active, imaginative, and connected to the world around them, not just another flat screen.

There’s a gap between fun digital experiences that kids love and meaningful educational tools that truly engage them. Most apps are either purely entertaining or overly academic, and few bridge the digital and physical worlds in a safe, age-appropriate way using AR. Kids deserve digital experiences that are active, imaginative, and connected to the world around them, not just another flat screen.

PASSIVE SCREEN TIME

Most apps keep kids watching instead of creating or engaging

LACK OF ENGAGING TOOLS

Learning apps often feel like schoolwork, not play

Learning apps often feel like schoolwork, not play

Learning apps often feel like schoolwork, not play

ACCESSIBILITY FOR YOUNGER AR AUDIENCE

Safe, intuitive AR experiences made for kids are almost nonexistent

The Solution

The Solution

The Solution

A friend in every corner

A friend in every corner

An augmented reality experience that transforms drawings and soft toys into interactive companions for children.

Using a smartphone or tablet, kids can scan to bring characters to life, interact with them through stories, quests and mini-games,

Using a smartphone or tablet, kids can scan to bring characters to life, interact with them through stories, quests and mini-games,

Using a smartphone or tablet, kids can scan to bring characters to life, interact with them through stories, quests and mini-games,

Adaptive and personalized experience based on their favorite drawing/ soft toy

02

UX Research & Ideation

Market Overview

COMPANY ONE

Uses interactive touch screens to create an experience that is immersive and brings murals to life. it educates the users about the animals it is talking to.

Uses interactive touch screens to create an experience that is immersive and brings murals to life. it educates the users about the animals it is talking to.

Uses interactive touch screens to create an experience that is immersive and brings murals to life. it educates the users about the animals it is talking to.

Loma Land by Loma Linda Children’s Health

Loma Land by Loma Linda Children’s Health

Loma Land by Loma Linda Children’s Health

COMPANY 2

Uses a colorful sensory wall and an innovation book with qr codes that create immersive sounds and 3d images when scanned.

Uses a colorful sensory wall and an innovation book with qr codes that create immersive sounds and 3d images when scanned.

Uses a colorful sensory wall and an innovation book with qr codes that create immersive sounds and 3d images when scanned.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

COMPANY 3

Patients are given infusion therapy in a virtual reality room with floor-to-ceiling projections, sounds, and interactive elements combine to create an immersive experience for children during these lengthy treatments.

Patients are given infusion therapy in a virtual reality room with floor-to-ceiling projections, sounds, and interactive elements combine to create an immersive experience for children during these lengthy treatments.

Patients are given infusion therapy in a virtual reality room with floor-to-ceiling projections, sounds, and interactive elements combine to create an immersive experience for children during these lengthy treatments.

Golisano Children’s Health Center, Naples

Golisano Children’s Health Center, Naples

Golisano Children’s Health Center, Naples

Task Flow

03

Prototype

04

Conclusion & Learning

Building Noki highlighted the need for kid-focused AR that balances fun and education without overwhelming users. I learned how important it is to design interfaces that feel playful yet intuitive, and to prioritize safety and accessibility when creating tech for young audiences. The project reinforced the value of bridging digital storytelling with real-world interaction, showing how AR can transform passive screen time into active, imaginative play.

Building Noki highlighted the need for kid-focused AR that balances fun and education without overwhelming users. I learned how important it is to design interfaces that feel playful yet intuitive, and to prioritize safety and accessibility when creating tech for young audiences. The project reinforced the value of bridging digital storytelling with real-world interaction, showing how AR can transform passive screen time into active, imaginative play.