Criteria relating to my identity as a designer:

Contain the illusion of life (movement or character)

Visually intriguing (inviting when looked at)

Mysterious design (not fully understood until interacted with)

Criteria relating to the technique I have chosen:

Connecting through casting adds ambiguity as to how it is constructed.

Combination of flexible and hard materials mimic movements of invertebrates

Criteria relating to the application I have chosen:

To intrigue people and make them play intuitively.

Make people question the mechanics of the object.

Criteria relating to the perception:

The final object should be visually pleasing enough to have as a decorative object. Some movement or indication of, should be visible, even when not handling the object.

The product is meant to have some predetermine functions, but there should still be room for own interpretation and use.

"Design Criteria"

"Toys which functions are derived solely from their construction. Flexible Joints allow their hard-edge shapes to flow and balance in a satisfying way. These creatures come alive by the slightest touch. Able to move in your hands or just stick around to keep an eye on you."

Abstract

Research Approach

I tried letting the properties of the silicone steer the project. Observing what functions the toys could have based on the flexibility and my method of connecting through casting.

Research Questions

How to imply playfulness with appearance.

How to create tactile and observable satisfying movements

Key experiments

Connecting these silicone strips to 3D printed shapes gave me the idea for the direction I chose to go with the design. The inherent movement was intriguing and fun to play with.

Realised Work

Relevance of practise based research

I believe I have not yet reached the full potential of connection casting with flexible materials. I would like to see what is possible if it would be applied at a bigger scale. As far as the toys go, I think there is still room to play with other materials than just 3D Printed PLA. Wood or cardboard could give interesting looking contrasts and weight appliances. I also think that there is a possibility for a connecting function between separate toys, held together by each others flexible parts.

Research Approach

I tried letting the properties of the silicone steer the project. Observing what functions the toys could have based on the flexibility and my method of connecting through casting.

Central Questions

How to imply playfulness with appearance.
How to create tactile and observable satisfying movements