👋 Hello!
Our mission is to reimagine the humble jigsaw puzzle as a modern, immersive experience that offers a refreshing escape from the stress and distractions of daily life. By blending the timeless joy of puzzling with cutting-edge technology, we inspire people to step away from screens and social media, immersing themselves in a meditative journey that promotes relaxation, focus, and improved mental health.”
The Beginning 🧩
During the pandemic, I hit a point where I couldn't stand to stare at Netflix for one more minute. So, I dusted off a jigsaw puzzle and thought, "why not?" 😂
Lo and behold, hours later, my wife, our daughter, and I were huddled around the table, working on the puzzle together. We were all surprised by how calm and relaxed we felt, which is not a feeling we'd had in, like, forever.
As a Product Designer, this got me thinking: maybe puzzles are the key to world peace? Just kidding (or am I?). But seriously, the experience inspired me to create something special that would help other families experience the same kind of relaxation and fun.
Puzzle Research Time 🤔
Listen, I always thought jigsaw puzzles were just a fun way to pass the time. But it turns out, they're like a miracle cure for stress reduction, increased connection, focus, and even short term memory improvements. There are even studies that suggest they can help fight memory loss and dementia, and boost adult IQ. Who knew?
Apparently, everyone except me! NBA players, soccer stars, and even Kylie Jenner are all on the jigsaw bandwagon. And if that's not enough to convince you, just take a look at Instagram - people are showing off their completed puzzles left and right.
Meeting the 🦖 !
After discovering that one of the most impressive augmented reality experiences anywhere was in Oakland, I had to see it for myself. I wasn't disappointed when this inaminmate suddenly object spring to life; wow! 👀
This beautifully mural can still be found in the parking lot of the awesome Flax Art & Design store in downtown Oakland (and San Francisco); well worth a visit.
Our friend, the augmented reality T-Rex was created by the artist NYCHOS in 2019. Check out the video below to see for yourself. It's worth it, I promise!
Ideas and Innovations 💡
I wanted to launch a different kind of puzzle company, so I evaluated everything about puzzles.
Channeling my inner Richard Branson meets James Dyson, what could I do to make Puzzle Tubes innovative to deliver something truly different to the millions of avid puzzlers worldwide?
Augmented Reality
Well, you know that feeling when you're almost done with a puzzle, and you're like, "nooooo, don't end!"? Well, imagine if that last piece was just the beginning of a whole new adventure.
Instead, with Puzzle Tubes, you get a mind-blowing 3D AR experience that brings your puzzle to life. Boom.
And the best part? You can even frame it (4x6) and show it off to all your friends and family.
Easy Border Finder
Time to tackle the most crucial part of any puzzle: finding those sneaky edge pieces.
I came up with a cool solution - a sparkling pattern that screams, "Hey, look at me! I'm an edge piece!"
It's like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you're searching for the holy grail of puzzles - the border pieces. Say goodbye to endless searching and hello to lightning-fast assembly!
