The project brief was brief: to design and build a wooden pull toy; to fully function, to resemble an animal, and to emanate three actions specific to that animal.
My initial thoughts were to investigate what animal children would successfully engage with, and drawing from my own experiences, I settled on 'farm animals'; specifically a pig.
I embarked on creating initial drawings and diagrams of the toy's inner-workings as well as outward form and, began to test these mechanics first with foam, and then with a scrap-wood mock-up.
Once refined, I purchased material, specifically selecting padauk wood which is naturally ruddy and plays to the appearance of the pig.
Personal drawn templates guided my construction of the body, while tubing provided the internal operations belt.
When fully constructed, the toy could move its four feet, flick it's tail, and shake its head, all while rolling along the floor.
A removable back provides access into the interior for adjustments.
