triX Modulêre Speelding

Press Kit

Unique Properties

triX is a connectable modular toy for children of age 4 plus. Devised around a complex grid, it can contribute to development of spatial thinking and motor skills. The toy can be used to create various types of structures including complex patterns, objects or animals and characters. A small number of parts can encourage creativity, while the child could get the opportunity to learn and express different emotions using funny symbols, and evolve social skills when the toy is used in a group.

Dimensions & Packaging

Straight Extension: 10 x 10 x 22.5mm,
Curved Extension: 10 x 13 x 19.5 mm,
Three axis Node: 15.5 x 13.5 x 13.5mm,
Four axis Node: 16.5 x 15.5 x 13.5mm,
Link: 5 x 5 x 12.2mm,
Cap: 10 x 10 x 11mm

Tags

Child, Play, Creative, Fun, Exploration, Expression, Socialization, Character, Symbols

Production Technology

Different technologies are currently being analyzed in order to find the most cost-effective high series manufacturing process. Non-toxic materials are planned for production: plastic for Nodes, Extensions and Links; rubber for Caps. Graphics are planned in non-toxic tampon and round silk-screen print.

Design Challenge

Determining the most appropriate pattern of growth represented the first challenge, which was made more difficult with the intent to use a minimal number of elements. Creation of universally understandable graphics for facial features and body details on Caps and Straight Extensions represented a challenge of its own. That was made even more complicated with the idea to use ambiguous symbols in order to get a different connotation depending on placement and rotation of the parts.

Research

First stage of research showed a lack of new toys on the market which engage and positively impact creativity. Initial inspiration required analysis and evaluation of different growth patterns in nature. Another stage of research was devoted to creating a familiar toy which encourages interaction and helps develop social skills. This required a research of character and comic-like expressions and minimal communication using symbols and emoticons.

Inspiration

A developing child needs a toy which enables learning trough exploration, creative expression and socialization. triX connectable concept is an open source of creativity inspired by natural growth patterns and universal communication. The basis is found in a hexagonal 3D grid derived from four axes of a tetrahedron. Using this principle, continuation of tridimensional form is always possible in any direction, while simple and versatile parts allow various possibilities of expression.

Project Duration

The project started in Belgrade, Serbia during 2015.

Operation Flow

The concept is designed around six elements, depending on the selected number of axes in the grid. Extensions are straight or curved and use one or two axes, while Nodes use three or four. Colored caps bring character and create groups of objects, while Links are used to connect two neighboring parts with female protrusions. Combining the parts in different ways and utilizing available ambiguous graphic symbols - e.g. eye-mouth, eye-nose,... - creates and endless array of interesting characters.