Spyde Learning Toy. 2015.

Overview

A cute spider stuffed animal. It has a rubber butterfly in its mouth and different color and texture fabric legs.
Problem Statement: Design a toy for children ages 3-5 that encourages learning and developmental growth.
Phobia Prevention:
  • Familiarizes children with “scary” creature.
  • Lessens irrational fear development.
Open Ended Learning:
  • Retractable measuring tape aids in exploration.
  • Storage pocket encourages collecting.
  • Bell rattle adds extra surprise
Emotional Connection:
  • Features appropriate for growing child.
  • Stitching creates homemade feel.
  • Aids in learning play and phobia prevention.

2D Sketch Examples

Marker sketches. Ideas include stuffed snake with measuring tape on its belly, blocks with elements such as helium and carbon on them, blocks with architecture designs on them, labware such as pipets and beakers, medical kits with cold packs and bandages, and exploration tool bag with wrenches, rulers, and sample compartments, a plastic spider with a gear around its abdomen, a fabric spider with button eyes and pompom feet, and three variations of what a spider could hold in its mouth: a butterfly, a flower, and a strawberry.

3D Sketch Examples

Fabric for main body of toy pinned together.
Pinned inside-out.
Pinned fabric flipped so outside fabric faces out.
Form and seam test.
Side view of pinned main body fabric stuffed with cotton.
Stuffed assembly test.
Top view of pinned main body fabric stuffed with cotton.
Assembly top.
Green cotton fabric.
Gender neutral solid.
Cornflower blue cotton fabric with a darker blue circles, flower shapes, and four-pointed stars repeating tile pattern.
Mature pattern.
Light green town fabric.
Towel texture.
Light blue Minky fabric with dots raised in fabric.
Soft dots texture.

Feature Highlights

Bottom of toy. Stomach has a white zipper with a few small objects and a “to mom” note sticking out.
Storage pocket.
Toy hanging on rings attached to back of toy. It makes the spider toy look like it is hanging from spinnerets.
Hanging rings.
Back of toy. Rear area has a large fabric heart sewn onto it.
Bell rattle.
Front of toy. A rubber butterfly is located in the spider’s mouth.
Butterfly is retractable soft measuring tape.