/nest/
noun: a place of rest, retreat or lodging.
About
I was assigned the word nest and asked to create a product to facilitate play. During the initial research phase I found lots of toys that stacked in an inward fashion, but I found myself gravitate toward products that represented a physical nest. To me a nest is a sanctuary and a place of comfort. It is a place where we can lower our inhibitions and relax. This became the inspiration for the solution. The product is a fort where kids can feel comfortable to play however their imaginations see fit.
Concept Development and Initial Prototype
Having a physical object in front of me allowed me to evaluate the idea in a more practical way. How many points of contact are necessary for this structure be safe for 4+ year old humans to play with? Is the form too literal? How can I better integrate the spine and ribs to enhance the overall form? Is the tail a safety hazard?
Prototyping
In both of these prototypes I pushed the form to become more abstract. This exploration helped me realize the hard edges were not successful in creating a feeling of comfort. For the final prototype I will find a middle ground that creates a playful form that makes the user feel comfortable without compromising safety during play.
Assembly + Storage
The nest is designed to make it easy for kids to assemble and store this toy. The front three ribs interlock to allow the spine to rest on the ribs. The back three ribs interlock and rest on the spine. This design increases the structural integrity to keep users safe. Once playtime is over the ribs easily separate from the spine to be stored out of sight.
The Final Prototype
The final prototype was made by laying up 1/4" MDF sheets to create enough strength. If this were to go into production I would choose a nice birch veneer 3/4" plywood. Regardless of its material my testers thought it was awesome.
Designed by Sarah Scott | 2015 | University of Utah