Master Thesis on Designer Toys

Designer toys are collectible toys, for creative adults (yeah, you guys that don't want to grow up!). The toys are made in vinly/plasitc, plush or paper. Sometimes the toy has a background story, hobbies, favorite food, best friend etc, usually illustrated on the packaging or on a card inside. Toys are often released in series or collections, and almost always in limited (or numbered) edition. The toy are not played with, but are on display on the owners desk or shelf. Designer toys have a strong connection to urban culture such as graffiti, Japanese animé and manga tradition in addition to contemporary illustration and art. The toys often touch on adult topics such as violence and sex, juxtaposed with the cute and naive look of kids toys. Welcome to a bubbly, twisted and fun fun fun world.

Tittle: Tøymonstre og plastkaniner - om designertoys-fenomenet / Fabric monsters and plastic rabbits - on the designer toys phenomenon
School: Oslo School of Archtecture and Design, AHO
Deliverables: Book, designer toys prototype and exhibition
Description: My thesis consists of three parts. 1. On the designer toys phenomenon; what is designer toys? why would adults be interested in toys? do they play with them? 2. Character development. How to create a personality. 3. Make designer toy. I made Gnuffs. A 3d printed prototype by ZCorp.- technology. Gnuffs collects sounds, mends broken stuff with scotch tape and wishes he had a pair of wings so he could fly.
Downloads: Download the book here. In norwegian only... Master thesis publication (PDF, 3MB)