The opportunity
Originally created as an interactive music and visual installation, Play & See looked to adapt for use in a paediatric ward. However, the concept was not designed with children and the clinical environment in mind.
To address this, Designability was commissioned by inventor Charlie Hooper-Williams and the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath to turn the concept into a portable, practical product that could be used by children during their hospital stay.
Bringing it to life
To bring Play & See into a hospital setting, we developed the installation into a robust, self-contained product that could be easily positioned around the ward, at a hospital bedside or in playrooms.
Its design is focused on accessibility and inclusivity, inviting users of all ages and abilities to explore sound and visuals through musical play.
Design features
Easy to move
The unit was built on braked castor wheels, allowing staff to move it between spaces and secure it safely in place during use.
Flexible screen
A manoeuvrable arm allows the screen to be adjusted to suit different users and positions.
Purpose-built form
The technology was housed within a curved wooden cabinet, creating a self-contained product suitable for the hospital environment.
Bath Design Festival
Play & See hospital-edition made its public debut at Bath Digital Festival, giving people the chance to experience the clinical prototype and see how music is transformed into visuals in real time.
- Play anything: the experience is designed to be intuitive, with no musical experience needed
- See music come to life: Notes, melodies and dynamics shape responsive visuals as you play.
- Try the prototype: Visitors could experience the portable version developed for the RUH Children’s Ward.
- From festival to hospital: The showcase brought Play & See to a wider audience before its use with children at the RUH.
From sketch to reality
The product is now being piloted on the paediatric ward at the RUH in Bath, bringing music therapy to their stay.
RUH Musician in Residence, Frankie Simpkins, leads the pilot, alongside music therapists to evaluate its impact.
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