Skylight Buddy - Helping Kids Navigate Everyday Tasks.
Skylight, a leader in family organization devices, partnered with level to create Skylight Buddy, a dedicated companion designed to help kids build confidence, independence, and positive daily habits. More than a digital tool, Buddy brings guidance into the physical world through playful interactions and encouraging feedback, helping children navigate everyday routines with greater ease. From getting ready for school to household chores, Buddy transforms daily accomplishments into rewarding moments, creating a more engaging experience for kids while helping families stay connected and organized.
Buddy helps families navigate the everyday moments that keep a household running smoothly, from getting ready for school to completing homework and household chores. Acting as a friendly companion throughout the day, Buddy provides gentle guidance and encouragement, helping kids stay on track while building confidence and independence.
A tactile yellow button creates a satisfying “bop” interaction when tasks are completed, transforming small achievements into rewarding moments of progress. A soft nightlight integrated beneath the device adds warmth to the room while providing intuitive color-coded cues that help guide bedtime routines and support healthy habits.
Color, material, and finish played a critical role in defining Buddy’s personality. Drawing from our own experiences as parents, we wanted to create a product that felt playful and inviting for kids without relying on the overly bright colors and exaggerated forms often found in children's products. The goal was to strike a balance between child-friendly appeal and a level of refinement that felt at home within thoughtfully designed family spaces.
At the heart of Buddy is its signature yellow button. Soft, rounded, and highly tactile, it serves as both a functional interaction point and an iconic visual element. The button remains consistent across every colorway, becoming a recognizable symbol of the Buddy experience while creating a satisfying moment of engagement that encourages participation and celebrates accomplishment.
A carefully curated palette of interchangeable blue, green, and lavender skins allows kids to personalize Buddy while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic that blends naturally into the home. Soft silicone materials enhance durability while reinforcing the product's approachable, friendly character through every interaction.
The packaging experience was designed as an extension of Buddy’s personality, transforming the moment of unboxing into a playful introduction to the product itself. A custom die-cut window, inspired by Buddy’s screen, offers a glimpse into the product world before opening, building anticipation and curiosity.
As the package unfolds, side flaps gently open outward like welcoming arms, creating the impression that Buddy is reaching out to greet its new companion. This simple gesture brings character and warmth to the experience, making the packaging feel less like a box and more like part of the story. The product’s vibrant color is revealed as the structure opens, reinforcing the sense of discovery and delight. Playful, warm, and full of character, the packaging transforms unboxing into the first Buddy interaction.
Prototyping played a critical role in shaping Buddy’s personality and user experience. Through a series of cardboard mockups, 3D prints, and functional prototypes, the team explored everything from overall scale and button interaction to the product’s distinctive angled form. Physical testing helped refine the viewing angle and overall character of the product, creating a more engaging companion that feels naturally oriented toward the user. The resulting form helps Buddy feel less like a piece of technology and more like a friendly companion, always ready to interact.
Prototypes were also essential in developing Buddy’s integrated nightlight experience. By testing how light interacted with different surfaces, materials, and environments, the team refined the placement and intensity of the illumination to create a soft, ambient glow that supports bedtime routines without becoming distracting or overstimulating.
Extending beyond daytime routines, Buddy helps families navigate bedtime and sleep schedules. An integrated nightlight provides a soft, comforting glow while serving as a visual guide for bedtime habits. Neutral, red and green color cues help children understand when it’s time to stay in bed and when it’s okay to start the day, encouraging independence while giving parents added peace of mind.
