ClickiTz
a modular playhouse toy (2021)
ClickiTz is a toy that allows kids to build their own customizable playhouse with a set of themed pieces. This product aims to celebrate kids’ endless imagination and encourage their interest in making. While a basic prototype was provided by the client, the team had creative freedom to develop the toy to the next level. As the industrial designer, I developed three themed sets for the ClickiTz client—Castle, Treehouse, and Circus.
Process
As the industrial designer, I developed unique piece designs for three themed sets. The first stage of the process was sketching the concept castle structure, the primary theme requested by the client. After sketching my ideas, I selected the two additional themes: a treehouse and circus.
Throughout development, it was important to consider the intended modularity of the toy as well as manufacturing and mechanical constraints. The color scheme of the castle set was chosen by the client and was selected to create a fun and energetic play experience.
initial sketches of castle and treehouse themes
When considering manufacturing processes as well as the client’s resources, I decided that keeping each piece a solid color would be a cost-effective design choice. Therefore, rather than adding surface details such as painted patterns, the main decorative element was extrusion. By extruding designs on the basic pieces, I achieved a visual pattern using negative space and surface texture.
Since most of the basic pieces are rectangular, I aimed to create variety in form with the rounded designs. To establish a cohesive style, I implemented the rounded shapes as thematic forms across the set pieces. All three sets utilized extrusion as the primary design method. Some extruded faces were rendered using different colors to make the details visible.
early castle set assembly renders
Outcome
The final industrial design package included unique pieces and renders for all three themed sets. Together with the mechanical team, we delivered a castle prototype with over fifty pieces that can be combined in any assembly the user chooses.
Due to budget constraints, it was not possible to print pieces using the intended color scheme. However, the full concept was communicated through the renders.
final castle set render
final treehouse set render
final circus set render
3D printed castle assembly
3D printed castle pieces