Tune a Fish Interactive Toy
Tune a Fish is a playful interactive toy that brings a classic dad joke to life by transforming handmade sushi into a working musical instrument. Inspired by the humor and curiosity of tactile play, the project blends toy design, soft sculpture, and creative technology to explore how everyday objects can invite imagination and delight. Each sushi piece was individually hand-felted using wool and conductive fibers, carefully crafted to be both visually whimsical and durable as a functional play object.
The toy is powered by a system combining a Makey Makey, Arduino components, and Maxuino software. Copper tape embedded in a custom-built sushi platter acts as the conductive interface, creating a closed circuit whenever a sushi piece is touched. This triggers corresponding electric piano notes, allowing players to “tune” each fish as though they were tapping keys on a keyboard. The internal wiring and interaction logic were designed to remain hidden within the playful form, giving the experience a sense of magic and surprise.
Beyond the mechanics, the project also considers packaging, usability, and the overall product experience. I designed the platter, felt elements, and electronic components as a cohesive kit, approaching the work through the lens of toy design and product development. The result is an object that invites joyful experimentation while demonstrating how handcrafted materials and accessible technology can merge to create interactive storytelling and imaginative play.