Life-Size Wind-Up Car Model

Based on one of my concept sketch, I created a model for a life-size wind-up car. To create the piece, I used recycled cardboard I found around my house and in a nearby dumpster and rubber bands. Other than the existing tape on my car-body box, I did not use any other materials (I did not apply any additional adhesives and probably could have removed the tape from the body of the car without affecting its performance).

Using a found circular form a stencil, I cut out three wheels, two for the back, one for the front. I then began assembling the vehicle, cutting holes and devising attachment methods as I crafted.

After a little trial-and-error, I completed the model. Although the design was not as attractive as I hoped, that was not the intent of the model. I was thrilled to find that the model worked (when pulled backwards the rubber band wraps around the axle and, when released, the vehicle propels forwards). I realized the vehicle is not quite as big as I think it should be nor is the cardboard able to bear the desired weight (an adult human) but, nonetheless, the model gives me hope!

Experimenting with Rubber Bands

In an attempt to contrive creative ideas, I tried, among a variety of techniques, (1) microwaving rubber bands and (2) overlapping successive rubber bands.

My microwave experiment resulted dismally with no reaction. Nothing appeared to happen to neither the rubber band nor the microwave. From my memory, a microwave heats items by causing water molecules to jump around and thus I understand, with low to no water content, why the rubber bands did not react to the waves in the microwave. Furthermore, the heat generated in the microwave was apparently minimal compared to that required to melt rubber.

Overlapping the rubber bands produced and interesting tree-section-cut form but all I could bring myself to create with the form was a coaster.

I am glad I conducted these experiments as they, at least for a moment, quenched my curiosity. Thankfully, though, my quest for creativity did not conclude with these two trials and I continued to generate ideas.

Sixty More Sketches

Researching Riding Toys

While thinking about how to make the common wind-up toy life sized, I looked for inspiration from current children’s riding toys.

I like the simple form of this toy. It is a small vehicle and not intended for riding but, if it were bigger and the top arch was removed, the form could serve as a comfortable seat.

I think this vehicle is too complex for my intensions but the “lightweight durable plastic” holds potential and the design, if simplified, may resemble a good form.

I really like the simple form of these vehicles. Instead of wheels, the design uses spheres to prevent the toy from falling over. In the description, the developers emphasize the toy is for young children, “accelerates development of motor-skills and coordination,” and “teaches young brains to connect muscles and senses.” Although this would not be my intent, I admire the thoughtfulness and, like I said, really appreciate the form.

This design may be the closest to my concept; with the addition of a wind-up rubber band contraption on the wheels, this design could be really effective.

Unique to this vehicle is that there is a power mechanism other than the user’s legs. As stated in the description, “just rotate the steering wheel from side to side to go forward and flip the wheel 180° to steer backwards.” I do not know if this would be an ideal design for a wind-up vehicle, but I like that there is an obvious place for the user to sit and place his or her feet. I also like the idea of being able to steer.

There is maybe a little too much going on here (too many parts), but I like the simple use. The toy is intended for the user to just roll across the floor in any and every direction.

First Model: Cardboard Wings

Drawing from one of my sketches, I set out to create a set of cardboard wings. Using the box from a television, I cut out two wings and an abdomen piece. To add enhance the appearance of the wings, I ripped up a few old magazines and glued them onto the outside of the wings (does this disobey the “only one additional material” rule or could I argue that my additional material is paper product: cardboard and magazines?). The wings are connected to the abdomen via double-knotted rubber bands, looped through holes. Along the outside of the wings, I added a resistance band and, along the inside, straps for the user’s wrists and shoulders. I sized the wrist straps to my arm’s length and realized, upon strapping my very generous model into the wings, that not all arm lengths are the same. Thus, for her, the “wrist straps” became “finger straps” or, simply, “hand straps.”

Frankly, I’m disappointed with this design; while I enjoy the concept, I see that the resulting product is clunky and not as beautiful as I had hoped. I know this is a rough model, but I feel like the idea is not in itself novel and I did not implement the rubber bands in the most effective way.

Single Material Toy Market Research

Darryl Agawin’s “Balance Stool” is made of two simple ash parts and is intended to promote exercise in the workplace. While maybe not a “toy” in the traditional sense, this chair certainly adds an element of fun to what can be a monotonous activity (sitting in a chair).

Nervous System’s “Kinematics” is also not a toy in the traditional sense. However, the dress, which is 3-D printed as “2,279 unique triangular panels interconnected by 3,316hinges, all 3D printed together in nylon using selective laser sintering (SLS),” promotes frilly movement as the material “fluidly flow[s] in response to body movement.” This product gives hope to materials and processes that otherwise may be assumes to create rigid products.

While the intention may not be play (this product may not have been designed to be a toy), the “Saturn Wine Glasses” by Superduperstudio almost asks users to test out its spill-proof-ness and show of the fun glass to party guests and friends.

This chess set, made out of Harcourt glass, flaunts how a complex, popular game can be created out of one material. Along with being beautiful, the set is transparent (in both appearance and understanding) as the pieces resemble the understood shapes of the various pieces.

These “cupnoodle forms” are humorous alterations on the iconic cup of noodles cup. Made out of ceramic, these “toys” (in a sense) demonstrate how one material (ceramic) can appear to be another material (rubber, for example) and allow the user to stage comical interactions.

The “pyggy-bank” not only encourages fiscal responsibility with a humorous twist, but also show how a simple product made of a single material can still be functional and beautiful. Combining two existing products, the “pyggy bank” may inspire other creations of the same nature.

The “non-slip birdhouse” takes advantage of the properties of a material’s properties and use the given property as an inspiration for the product. Specifically, the birdhouse uses Alcantara’s non-slip properties to prevent the need for a connecting or adhesive in mounting a birdhouse on a slanted wall.

First Forty Sketches