Brief: Design a toy for an audience of your choice. (Prof. Hazal Gumus Ciftci)
Location: The Ohio State University
Constraints: Must utilize 3D printing, and keep sustainability in mind
Collaboration: Individual
My cat (Pepper) playing with a prototype of the teaser toy.
Research and Development:
I decided to create a cat toy with a heavy emphasis on user involvement and sustainability. In my research, I learned that the best cat toys are ones that involve both the human and the feline, and trigger the cat's predatory instincts.
Concept Refinement:
I pursued a wand toy that a human could wave around for the cat to chase and catch. To place an emphasis on sustainability, this wand is braided to unravel, so that when its ends wear with play, the human can extend the life of the wand. The worn edges cut from the ends then act as stuffing for a little ball for the cat to play with.
Wand Prototypes:
In my first prototypes, I experimented with different materials, seeing what worked best in terms of braiding and durability. I learned that t-shirt fabric and plastic bags were the best for visualizing the sounds and movements I wanted.
Ball Prototypes:
In experimenting with how to create a ball that could be opened and sealed easily, I found more difficulty than I had planned on. The solution framed itself as a pouch that humans would need to open and close using twine or a hair tie.
Handle Prototypes:
One requirement of this project was to have a 3D printed element, which is where the handle design came in. I experimented with several handle grips and top attachments.
Twine Experimentation:
I wrapped the 3D printed handles in twine for added texture, testing to see which type of twine looked the best.
User Testing:
I had several furry friends who were more than willing to give their opinions on these new toys. Their overall consensus: "Would definitely play with again."
Final Prototypes:
The final prototypes were constructed from 3D printed handles wrapped in twine, with braids made from plastic grocery bags and old t-shirts.
Product Poster:
Lessons Learned:
This was an interesting project to approach, because the world of toys is a place so overpopulated that it's very difficult to generate ideas that don't already exist. To think about how I needed to innovate on the traditional "cat wand" toy, I needed to consider the other project topic, sustainability, and see if there was a way to make such a toy last longer and generate as little waste as possible.
Should I carry this prototype into development one day, the plastic bags would be replaced with crinkly fabric, and the t-shirts would be replaced with more durable, chewable fabric as well. Safety first!
"Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat
Who knows where it's at."
Because a cat's the only cat
Who knows where it's at."
- Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat from The Aristocats
