Join! hook — toy design
Type: Individual Startup
Contributor: Mei Family Daycare(San Jose), Max's Family, Krystina Castella
Type: Individual Startup
Contributor: Mei Family Daycare(San Jose), Max's Family, Krystina Castella
I designed a open-ended toy as my first toy design project. The design stage lasted 3 weeks with several play tests with 2 age groups of 2-3 preschool kids and 3-6 kindergarten kids. This project took me deeper into kid world and gained insights from engaging, observing and interating in the play.
By linking and connecting these adaptable pieces, kids can unleash their imagination, transforming everyday items into elements of their inventive games.
In the test group of 4-6 years old, they like to share the process of creation and stories. In the test, children will combine familiar play scenes, such as play rooms or parks, and connect toy parts to make and create new games. Once this new toy is created, they may use it to interact with other children or engage in story-based and imaginative play. Therefore, they are willing to spend a certain amount of time thinking about how to design new toys, such as color, shape, length, etc. Among younger groups, the gameplay seems simpler. They show a fascination with elastic materials and like to hold them in their hands or throw them. At the same time, they like to repeat simple actions, such as putting a toy on their head and taking it off again, but this has nothing to do with the toy.
Observation
From the observation results, the play of younger test children mainly revolves around the color and material of toys, and they need to be under the guidance of adults to handle complex connecting hooks. Older children show a more creative side when they have cognitive and coordination abilities. They will create something in conjunction with a story, or just create an object to create a new way to play.
The toys are designed to be soft, elastic and colorful. Children gain sensory development through touch and color coded play experiences.
The connectivity of the toy allows children to create the tools they want, based on their needs.
The hook mechanism gives children a strong desire to connect more and stack higher. They can build ambitious projects!
Children can play with this toy together to create their own play style.
The biggest challenge was designing a way for soft materials to connect securely. After I discovered silicone as a material that fascinated me, I began spending a lot of time studying different forms. Once I first figured out the shape of the hook (which is almost the same as the current design), I found that it could only be hooked very carefully, and the kids wouldn't like it. After a long iteration I ended up using a ring so that when the hook is pulled through it can be tightened to create a secure connection. The process is very tedious, you can understand the design process by viewing this document.
Sketches
Making silicon and mix color
