EDUCATIONAL

TOYDA HYUN KIM | SENIOR THESIS | JESSICA IRISH

INTRODUCTION

Ever since I was young, I abhored insects- bugs. Bugs just looked disgusting and their millions of legs were way too an-noying. It is hard to see a close-up picture of bugs because their eyes nasty and texture is gross. I always cried and screamed when I saw bugs and the problem is I STILL do.

I am going to create a series of educational bug toys for kindergarten and elementary school kids. Kids will have to connect different body parts to have a final form of a bug.

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PROPOSAL

AUDIENCE

Even though the bugs are for kindergarten and elementary school kids, the target audience will be their parents and teachers / instructors.

1. Research about educational toys2. Brainstorm which bugs to make3. Make prototypes4. Design instruction card5. Design box (package)6. Create advertisement

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PROCEDURE

INSPIRATION / RESEARCH

DOMAIN MAP

Some inspirations were finger dolls, felt dolls, and other types of dolls. Another inspiration is from my class field trip to Museum of Moving Images. They had a big exhibition of Jim Henson and his dolls- “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World.” The exhibition showed different characters he created, muppets, drawings, storyboards, etc. His dolls inspired and motivated me to create toys for young children.

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BRIANSTORM

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PROCESS

FIRST FIVE PROTOTYPES-For my first prototype, I decided to make 5 different insects with 5 different materials.

SPIDER - CLOTH & COTTON

DRAGONFLY - FELT (FINGERDOLL) BUTTERFLY - ORIGAMI

CENTIPEDE - HANDKNIT LADYBUG - CLAY

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PROCESS

SECOND PROTOTYPE-From the critique, handknitted centipede and dragonfly made out of felt got chosen. From this point, I decided to create educational toys for children- toys that are able to disconnect, so the kids can put them together.

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PROCESS

THIRD PROTOTYPE-From my second prototype, I decided to make insects with the felt because they are easier to handle and disconnect / connect.

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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

1. Brainstorm name of the toy line2. Finish prototypes3. Research about bugs4. Create instruction card5. brainstorm package design6. brainstorm advertisement