Brief: ‘Design a new interactive injection-moulded toy. It must be feasible and support toddlers, specifically aged 2-3 years in developing their motor skills and their cognitive functions simply through play. Your client is an existing toy manufacturer and your product must fit into their current ranges. Innovation is the key in this fast paced and highly competitive area of the market. A basic mechanical action/function should be included.’
I tackled this second year project by first conducting much first hand research into current toy design and the psychology behind developing fine motor skills and cognitive development of a toddler. I dismantled several existing toys to see how they are manufactured which helped my understanding of ribs and supports within a small toy.
After contemplating several different ideas, I chose to design a train as there was a lot of scope to incorporate many different functions and actions that fulfilled the brief.
