Cosmic Vault
Next Generation Piggy Bank
Saving money isn’t as exciting for kids today as it used to be. In a world where everything is available at the tap of a button, the old-school piggy bank just doesn’t cut it anymore. The thrill of dropping coins into a ceramic pig has faded—and with it, the habit of saving.
This project is about bringing that excitement back. I set out to redesign the piggy bank experience for kids, turning it into something playful, smart, and interactive. The result is a space-themed piggy bank paired with a fun, engaging app that makes saving feel like an adventure—one small coin at a time.
Challenges
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How to make this exciting?
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How to make this learning experience
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A 2019 study by the LEGO Group found that 86% of kids aged 8–12 are fascinated by space exploration, and 90% are eager to learn more about the universe. Space, with all its mystery and wonder, naturally sparks curiosity in children—making it the perfect theme to capture their attention and imagination.
Key findings of our research
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How do we help parents teach their kids about money in a way that's engaging and age-appropriate from an early age?
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How do we create a learning experience that feels as fun and delightful as games or videos, but actually builds real-world knowledge?
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How do we make learning about money, budgeting, and saving an engaging habit for kids, helping them set goals and practice patience for their future?
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How do we make the physical piggy bank more interactive.
User research revealed a clear pattern: kids are unlikely to engage unless the experience feels fun, rewarding, and gives them a sense of achievement. To address this, we introduced elements of gamification—transforming saving money into a playful, goal-driven experience. This not only boosts motivation but also builds positive financial habits through interactive, age-appropriate design.
In this piggy bank adventure, saving money isn’t just a task—it’s a thrilling mission through space. Kids become young astronauts, tracking their savings as they rocket toward faraway planets. Each coin they drop into the smart piggy bank powers their journey, unlocking new planets, badges, and milestones along the way.
As they move closer to their savings goal, they’re not just collecting money—they're charting a course through the cosmos. This playful, gamified experience transforms everyday saving into a universe of excitement, purpose, and achievement—one coin, one planet, one adventure at a time.
Engaging animated videos teach kids about money in a playful, easy-to-understand way. After each lesson, they’re rewarded with coins, speeding up their journey to new planets. This blend of learning and rewards keeps kids motivated and excited about saving.
The piggy bank features an intuitive scanning system that tracks each deposit before it’s made. As users insert coins, the app instantly displays both the quantity and total value of the money being saved, offering a clear and rewarding view of their progress in real time.