Tortoo | Gross Design Studio

Infant Toy Design Sprint

Tortoo is the product of a design sprint with the stated goal: Bring a wooden toy designed for infants from research to concept to prototype in 3 weeks. The project began with inspiration from the infant toy market and research into which developmental abilities correspond with the child’s growth.

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Age Group:

8-24 months

Motor Activity Type:

Promotes fine motor skills, promotes gross motor skills as child grow

Method of Sensory Activation

Use of sound, texture, color, and shape without electronics

Material:

Wood, beads, mirrored surfaces, magnets

Safety and Durability:

Large wooden forms and the absence of small components

Sketching

The turtle conveys the gentle patience that I wanted the toy to evoke as its use evolved with the child. As Blending features of the wagon, the companion, and stimulating reflective rattle toys, sketching led in the direction of a toy turtle with a magnetic shell and accompanying smaller toys.

Tortoo Concept

The concept for Tortoo developed from the idea for an interactive toy set that could feature smaller toys targeting fine motor skills as well a larger wheeled push toy that targets gross motor functioning.

The magnet in each smaller turtle is covered with an engaging mirrored surface to entertain the infant

Beads fill each smaller turtle to create a rattling toy.

The Wooden Tortoo is shown with accompanying smaller Tortito rattle/mirror toys.

Bringing Tortoo to Life

This rendered Animation of Tortoo’s components and assembly demonstrates what’s going on “under the hood.” The strong neodymium magnets enable magnetism through the layer of wood. The ball bearings and wheels enable Tortoo to easily interact with infants and toddlers at varying stages of development.The prototype was created by employing traditional power tools, CNC, 3D printing, and hand-painting.