A Little Control Can Boost Imagination

The latest collection from designer Emily Gunning, MonsterMake, MetaMorphasuit, and Mothershape, aims to discourage obsolescence and maintain their appeal to the child over a prolonged period of time. The designer’s research found that children are more likely to maintain satisfaction with their toys if they have some level of control over what that toy becomes. This encourages them to keep the product longer while helping them tap into their innate affinity for using their imagination.

MonsterMake: A basic shape; soft to touch and hold, much like a teddy bear. However, this product also enables the child to ‘rescue’ broken toys: a doll’s leg, or a cuddly toy’s arm. The attachments on the product are capable of holding soft or plastic items, allowing the child to easily create “hybrid toys.” The possibilities are endless!

MetamorphaSuit: A trouser and top suit, made from a Lycra based material that allows enhanced elasticity. Thie suit is worn by the child who can then transform the appearance of the suit by stuffing the inner pockets causing the fabric to morph, or by adding other components to the suit using the provided attachments. The child can then become whoever/whatever they want to be!

MotherShape: A play object that encourages the child to use their imagination to customize the product, turning it into anything from a boat to a dragon. While sitting inside this product, the child can either experience a gentle rocking motion, or the simple freedom of movement across the room, enabled by wheels. MotherShape can however, also be static. The sides of the product have a range of slits and holes, allowing the user to customise the product as they please in order to create the story they wish, including a draw-on surface that works with dry-erase pens.

Designer: Emily Gunning