Tin Can

Of course it started with a phone call. Chet Kittleson, founder of Tin Can, reached out looking for concepts for his screen-free phone for kids. Through multiple rounds of exploration, prototyping, and close engineering collaboration with Jake McLean, we arrived at a product that balances nostalgia with modernity, giving kids a playful yet practical way to connect while redefining how they build their relationship with technology.

Built like a modern landline, Tin Can connects over Wi-Fi and uses a simple mobile app for parents to control who can call in and out. There’s no browser, no app store, no camera, no spam—just voice. It’s a safer, saner way for kids to communicate and gain a bit of freedom without the baggage of adult tech.