Toy Design
&
Prototyping


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Project 2
Week 8
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Project 3
Week 11
Project 4

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Week 2

Back
From the Abstract episode we watched during the class: 
Why “Design For Play” is better than just “Designing Toys” for Cas Holman? What is the difference? Do you agree with this?
How do Cas Holman’s definitions of toy and play align or differ from what you defined last week?
Discuss in the concept of “Play Value” as you understand that term from the movie or other resources (readings, searching online, etc). Analyze your favorite from this point of view. Are there any skills that this toy allowed you to learn when you played with it?  


In the movie,

                                        Design for Play vs. Designing Toys:
                                                                 
                                                                 

                                             Focus on Experience vs. Product


Design for Play prioritizes the experience of play, fostering creativity and exploration among children. It is about creating environments and systems that encourage interaction and imaginative engagement. Designing Toys, in contrast, typically focuses on the products themselves, which may limit the scope of interaction to the intended use of the toy.

I agree with Cas Holman that designing for play involves a deeper consideration of the play experience, allowing children to explore, create, and engage in social interactions.

Last week, when I reflected on the definitions of toys and play, my focus was also on imagination and creativity, which aligns with this perspective. Both of our definitions regard toys not merely as objects but as catalysts for imaginative experiences.


When further considering play value, I believe it refers to how effectively a toy engages people (not just children) in meaningful, enjoyable, and educational interactions. During my research, I came across some interesting viewpoints.

For instance, in defining the play value of playgrounds, Struthers Recreation describes it as "the value each piece of equipment brings to the experience of the playground and those using it." I find this definition insightful because it does not limit the players to children—adults can also be included. While the definition does not specify the exact aspects of value, I later found a more detailed explanation that categorizes play into different types: social play, physical play, and sensory play. I find this classification quite interesting.



Applying This to My Favorite Toy: Hot Wheels

When building Hot Wheels tracks, I may have developed spatial awareness and construction skills, as planning the layout of the track requires thoughtful design. However, since this toy is often played individually, it lacks strong social interaction, making its interactive play value relatively lower.

My cars 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋