2015 - Case 8 -  Cashless for Kids: Savings Tree
Channel: Jelle Saldien
Date: 2023-02-03

This project describes the concept and design process of the ‘Savings Tree’: an electronized piggy bank for children between 3 and 6 years old. In today’s society, it becomes more and more common to pay cashless. Savings Tree is a light-up wallsticker, shaped like a tree, that learns children how to deal with intangible money. The sticker consists of separate leds that communicate with a smartphone. In the app, a desired target can be specified together with the target cost, and the saving fun can start! Parents can reward their children or give pocket money by swiping virtual money too the tree using the app. A squirrell character will encourage the kids to save in the app. The kids can swipe through their targets to see how far they are removed from their target. The tree indicates a reached goal by lighting up in a sparkling pattern before lighting up completely. The parents can then reward their children with the desired target. At night, the tree can be used as a nightlight with a soft and enjoyable light, which brightness can be controlled with the app