Shape It Educational Toy Design
Welcome to Shape It Educational Toy Design, where specializing in crafting innovative and engaging educational toys inspired by nature. Collaboration with the Irvine Nature Center exemplifies commitment to creating products that inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning in children.
Project Type -
Product Design and Development
My Role -
Product Designer, Researcher, Packaging Designer
The objective of the project was to develop an educational toy tailored for children. Collaborating closely with students and educators at the Irvine Nature Center—my target audience—I embarked on extensive research to inform the design process.
The result? Shape It—a kinesthetic learning game featuring playdough shapes coated with toxin-free glue for easy cleaning. Alongside the various shape pieces, Shape It includes 24 play cards featuring images and text for word association exercises, accompanied by a durable black matboard suitable for outdoor play.
The case study offers a comprehensive overview of the project journey, detailing the research, design, and development phases that culminated in the creation of Shape It—an engaging and educational toy designed to inspire young minds.
Concept Development and Prototyping
Embark on a journey of exploration and creativity as we develop unique toy concepts that align with the educational objectives of the Irvine Nature Center. Our attention to safety standards ensures that each toy meets or exceeds industry regulations, providing parents with peace of mind while their children learn and play.
During my first week at Irvine, I observed a trend among parents: a desire for their children to become familiar with words and letters. In response, I conducted an experiment offering children two options: cardboard materials with letters for spelling and colorful shape blocks for free play. While some initially engaged with the letters, most were drawn to the textures of the materials. After exploring the letters briefly, they eagerly embraced the colorful shapes, creating imaginative designs. This experience taught me the importance of capturing children's attention through vibrant colors and engaging textures in my activities.
Cardboard Letters and Colored blocks
After further research, I decided to focus my educational activity on geometric shapes and kinesthetic learning, aligning with Irvine's emphasis on imagination. To create an engaging educational toy, I incorporated shapes, colors, text, and texture using foam-like material. However, concerns about safety for preschoolers led me to pivot to Plan B: Playdough. To address safety issues, I coated the Playdough shapes with non-toxic glue, ensuring a safe and stimulating learning experience for the children.
Foam Texture Shapes
On the final day, as I introduced my Shape It game to the Irvine students, I was greeted with cheerful smiles and excited screams. I laid out the shape and play board on the grass, inviting the children to explore freely. Instantly, they began creating unique patterns and collages, their imaginations running wild. Aiden's enthusiasm was palpable as he recognized the material, Playdough, and eagerly engaged with it. His curiosity sparked questions about the shapes, demonstrating the game's interactive and educational appeal.
Playdough - Shape It
Following the initial excitement, I invited one of the teachers to observe the next steps in my game. I introduced play cards with challenges like creating subjects such as a boat, house, or animal, encouraging image and word association. Some children quickly caught on to the challenges, enhancing their enjoyment of the game. I explained the materials used for safety purposes and emphasized the ease of cleaning the shapes, making it suitable for any environment. The teachers were impressed by my thoughtful approach and use of familiar materials, as well as the consideration for a clean-up solution. Additionally, I shared plans for the next step in the game, where children could create more shapes using the Playdough, much to the delight of the teachers.