FOOD CHAIN FRIENDS
14 WEEKS - FALL 2021
Design Challenge: to explore the materials of wood and textile with regard to toy design.
Overview + Initial Goals
Explore the materials of wood and textile. This will serve to further my knowledge in each respective material.
Complete this exploration of material whilst working to advocate for a cause, defined in my initial research.
Develop a toy that is of high quality and can be passed on to a younger sibling/friend/etc. so as to not contribute to the trend of overconsumption and waste that is ever-present in the market of children’s toys.
Toy Research
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Brand Identity Research
Kinfetti
Woodland Park Zoo
Clover Toys
Snapdoodle Toys
Calico Toy Shoppe
Seattle Aquarium
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Red Wagon Toys
Stuhlbergs
Mt. Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park
Hoh Rainforest
North Cascade National Park
Pike Place Market
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Archie McPhee
Wee Tots
City Mouse
The Georgetown Collection
My Three Little Birds
Satsuma Designs
Possible Places to Sell in Washington State:
Personas
Poppy and Clarice
Parents who value learning, encouraging exploration and development of their child's interests
Want a toy to help their child begin to learn about the ecosystems where they live
Henri
Teaches third grade in the Northshore school district in Bothell, Washington
Wants to bring science curriculum to life for their third-grade students
$20 - $50 budget (personal money)
Lewis
Five years old, lives in Kenmore Washingon with his dad and two older siblings
Wants a toy that he can use to tell stories and play with his older siblings
His interests are, building toys, playing with his older siblings, storytelling + reading
Concept Development
Toy Focus
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Direction + Rationale
Based on several rounds of feedback I opted to further pursue the puppet concept as it was determined to most closely align with my initial research and personal goals set at the onset of this project.
Furthermore, the puppet concept closely related to the guiding words (novel, whimsy, classic, and nostalgic)
Following this reflection further concept refinement and physical prototyping commenced
Prototyping + Concept Refinement
KRILL (IN PROGRESS)
SALMON
ORCA (IN PROGRESS)
Final Product
Next Steps
Next Steps
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Finish the development of the patterns for the puppet trio
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Write up an informational booklet or tag for the trio
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Test prototypes with children, teachers, and parents in the target market
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Refine the toy based on feedback
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Further develop the brand identity and packaging
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Develop a tech pack for production
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Conceptualize additional trios and toys that would fit within this brand