One weekend in November 2024, TOM: Melbourne hosted a two-day-long Makeathon at the STEAM Centre at Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre, centred around one young design partner: Malu, a bright and energetic five-year-old from Geelong who lives with hemiplegia and low vision.
Over two days, a small and focused team of volunteers came together to co-create tools that could support Malu’s independence and creativity. The event was deliberately kept small as an experiment in format and scale, allowing deeper collaboration and more flexibility to adapt the process in real time.
The team worked closely with Malu’s parents to understand his everyday experiences and challenges, especially when it came to using scissors and using his hands. Malu has full function in his right hand but limited strength and control in his left. The key goal was to design a way for him to cut with scissors more independently, without needing assistance or becoming frustrated by paper slipping out of place.
The result was the Paper Super Gripper — a simple, low-tech tool made from lightweight materials, designed to hold paper steady while Malu cuts with his right hand. It was tailored to suit his grip and visual needs, and allowed him to stay engagedfor longer periods. The team prioritised ease of use, comfort, and visibility throughout the design process.
This Makeathon format — small, flexible, and family-led — proved to be a powerful learning opportunity. The lessons learned from this event are informing how we shape future TOM: Melbourne programs.
