During my time at ArtCenter, I took a course in toy design. I learned a ton about childhood development, manufacturing, and grew more aware of intentional toy design and how they can serve purpose beyond entertainment through fostering education and social, emotional, and physical development. Toy lines for 3–6 year olds are my favorites, but 18 months–3 years is a close second!
Light should be more than just a second-thought to sell products. It’s an innate part of the world and of our understanding. Why not gameify it and create a strategy game that focuses on its qualities?
Comes with tinted cubes, playing tray, a rule book, and challenge cards with variable levels. The objective is to match the design on the card while strategically trying to make sure your opponent doesn't get there first! The game is best played in the dark.
I was deeply inspired by color mixing. As an artist and designer with an affinity for science, I wanted to see how I could incorporate light into a core component of gameplay. These material studies helped me refine how I should approach this.
The game went through many iterations, starting from a few different toy concepts that I had developed separately. I found that I preferred a multiplayer setting for the game, so I began to expand further on my light chess concept.
I did a few play tests with the assistance of peers. This insight allowed me to refine the game further (such as expanding the board into a 4x4 grid) and modifying rules to make the play experience less time-consuming.
12+ year olds are now developing a sense of competitive spirit. I wanted to set some rules that can easily be adapted depending on the players. With time, more advanced players can strategize how to think one step ahead. The blocks can also be used as fun building blocks after the game's over!
Huminis is a toy construction block set that reflects you! With various colors, textures, and skintones, it aims to create a gender-neutral toy that is accessible to all.
Taking notes from Japanese kokeshi dolls, each one is designed in a modular system that fits comfortably together with a simplified pattern that represents the three hair types.
This was my initial draft. I wanted to develop a toy that is not just gender-neutral, but also genderfluid. Being part of the queer community, I wanted to allow kids to safely explore their own identities in an simple to understand way.
My initial build for Huminis used very geometric shapes, but my playtesters stated that they felt disconnected from the humanoid structure and found it difficult to stack round items. They also really liked the bean shape, so I began to consider more organic, curving shapes that could also fit together.
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO
Krystina Castella / Yoonji Wiles / Yvonne Ye / Allyssa Acevedo / Shania Camaja / Sarah Wong
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