A Universal Object designed in 2016, inspired by an article titled, The vacuum Cleaner.
The article discussed about the vacuum cleaners have several characteristics that children dislike about. It is heavy, body size often large and it makes loud noises once operating at home.
Children get scared by it and would not go close to. Household machines operator with features of moving around, power connected seems “monsters” to children.
Thinking about the relation between Children’s toy VS Real object in life.
Toys may lead a misunderstanding of cognition to reality. Cartoon-like, colourful, small size, light weight, soft touch and making interesting sound are basic features of regular toys.
However, the actual vacuum cleaners are a lot larger and louder. It makes children react differently than playing with a vacuum cleaner toy.
In order to provide a safe household environment, parents become the main clients to children safety products. They purchase power strips cover, rubber cover for sharp furnitures, adjustable safety locks and door holders.
“A children- friendly object!” - that spark leads me to the very beginning of the design process.
I want to create an object with clean, simple, minimal feature and universal purpose for multiple home use.
Fun shape can engage children’s interaction with home object, and draw attention to the potential risks, to avoid issue of pinching fingers in door gaps, hot water cups, etc.
Children are able to play with the shape in all kinds of ways. The forms are in round corners, smooth surface, bright colours and light weight wood material.
Iterate Process
Material, Scale, Level of detail, etc.
Step 1： draw the shape on foam, cut the shape using bandsaw.
Step 2: Use sand papers to round the sharp edges and corners.
Material: switch to wood.
Round the sharpe edges, upgrade the level of detail.
Give a final touch up and apply a layer of nature oil to finish up the product.