Gumbek Didactic Toy

I've always had a deep love for plush toys, and when the family business closed down during my childhood, the idea of continuing that tradition stayed with me. I studied design at the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb, where I developed a particular interest in creating multifunctional products. So when it came time to work on my master's thesis, titled Revitalisation of a Family Craft, it felt like a natural step to merge these two passions.Through my research, I discovered a growing concern: children today are using their hands less, especially with the rise of electronic toys. I wanted to address this by creating a product that not only honors my family's legacy but also encourages children to engage in hands-on play, helping them refine their motor skills. My goal was to design a plush toy that goes beyond traditional play by providing a functional, educational experience—something that could both entertain and develop important skills.

When designing the Gumbek Didactic Toy, my goal was to provide children with enough flexibility to explore different configurations without overwhelming them with too many choices. I wanted to strike a balance between structured learning and free play, so I chose to create seven segments. Too many pieces could lead to decision fatigue, while too few wouldn’t allow enough room for creativity.I designed the toy to be abstract, encouraging kids to use their imagination in 'designing' their own toy, but also included familiar elements they could easily relate to. To achieve this, I divided the toy into three main segments: the head, torso, and legs. I then added detachable eyes and arms for extra character and familiarity. The simplified, non-traditional shapes mean the segments can be reassembled in various ways, opening up endless possibilities for creative play.To further enhance the experience, I made it possible to combine multiple Gumbek toys (of the same size) to create even more complex designs. This way, kids can upgrade their toy as their skills and imagination grow, all while staying within a manageable range of options.

Research has shown that children today have more toys than ever, but paradoxically, the more toys they have, the less emotional connection they form with them. They tend to lose interest quickly, playing with one toy for a short time before moving on to the next. I wanted to create a toy that would feel special to them, something they could truly connect with.The key to achieving this was to make the process of building the toy part of the experience. By allowing children to assemble the Gumbek toy themselves, I wanted them to take ownership of it, giving them a sense of pride and a deeper emotional investment. To further enhance this connection, I designed the toy with interchangeable parts. This way, if a child becomes bored with one look, they can change the toy's appearance, extending their engagement and creativity.