Monika Rycyk

Group Twig and the final design.

After extensive research, those were the concepts taken forward for development. A - tables with routed pathways C - rotational guttering D - wooden building blocks for pathways or other constructions E - bike tyres stacked on top of each other, with a drawing board on top H - simple pulley systems

Rotational guttering blocks is a modular idea, which allows children to rotate multiple blocks at the same time by connecting them with a rubber belt or a rope. Children will be able to set up their own constructions and choose how they want to play. For example, one child can be rotating a guttering block to transport a ball to other child. Blocks can be put on top of each other to make a set up longer or shorter. Product helps to develop cognitive and physical skills, also teaches kids basics of mechanical construction. Children will be also encouraged to work together to create imaginative play.

Children will place an object at the slightly higher top of the Flow table and allow objects, such as water, marbles or balls, for instance, to flow down to the ‘water wheel’ where possibly another child could turn the handle to enable the objects to pass over and into the ‘mud pit’. In the mud pit, children could further affect the flow of materials by creating their own ‘paths’ or let the materials forge their own paths. The lower end of the table would include a pit, which could be filled with various material; mud, sand, or water, for instance.

The developed concept AH3 takes the form of a table top with three grooves cut through it. The table is on slope to allow the children to role objects down the grooves. These objects could be either balls, water or any other toys that fit on it. On the left hand side of the product is a small box that is attached to a rope pulley. This is the part that is taken from concept H but is simplified to avoid any problems. Once the children have sent the balls down the grooves they can then send them back up to the top using the rope pulley.

This developed concept AH4 uses two vertical pillars with a belt wrapped around the rotating columns to form a conveyor belt system. Previously with idea H the child would be able to transport a product along the belt only a certain distance. This idea has took aspects of concept A such as concept A’s cause and effects focus and so this idea now adds more individuality to each child’s experience as they would have more control over the products movement.

This concept consists of the main features of A and H. It uses an angled board with routed pathways for objects to roll down for the children to catch. The pulley system on top enables them to move the basket from one side to another before dropping the things in it through the pipes, where they then travel to a circular element enabling the user to modify their destination. The product’s aim is to improve children’s physical and mental development, as well as team working skills.

The final design consists of an angled table with routed paths for children to roll things like marbles or toy cars down. On the side, there is a pulley allowing or transporting the items back to the top of the table.