An exploration of form, color, and play, this project reimagines a familiar figure through abstraction. Designed to shift between unity and separation, it invites curiosity, interaction, and open-ended play.
My process involved developing several design concepts before refining one into a three-dimensional puzzle that can be assembled as a flat piece and rearranged to form various environmental scenarios. The animals I chose to explore were the Hippopotamus and the Sumatran tiger.
For this design my goal was to create a kids toy that not only raises awareness for endangered and vulnerable animals but also encourages open-ended play, allowing them to explore, build, and imagine different environments where these animals live.
The first step of this process was researching and sketching the animals I’d be exploring to understand their forms. I made sure to draw them in the many different environments they inhabit to get a better understanding of those as well.
The next phase was bringing it to 3D. These initial 3D models were made from grey foam, and my main focus was on incorporating the environment into the puzzle and abstracting the animal while keeping its defining characteristics.
After making my first models, I narrowed it down to three designs and created another set of foam models. From these, I honed in on each of the animals’ forms and put an emphasis on making the environments feel more intentional by adding more diverse ways to play.
I decided to move forward with the tree hippo design because it felt more cohesive and refined than the other two. In this phase, I made small adjustments such as varying the tree heights, adding a tail to the hippo, and further developing the shape of the grass.
I transitioned to the final material, wood, for this iteration. I also refined the tree shapes to feel more fluid and pushed the rolls along the hippo’s back further, aiming to better capture the character and clarity of its form.
In the final stage, I refined the craftsmanship, making sure every surface was smoothly sanded. I then stained the wood in bright, engaging colors that fit the spirit of a children’s toy. I chose a vibrant split-complementary color palette inspired by the hues of the African savanna.
