Crafting Wooden Toys: 5 Invaluable Design Lessons
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Having dabbled in the world of toys after becoming a mum, I didn’t think I would be designing wooden toys. Designing these charming, tactile playthings has been an adventure filled with creative highs and occasional hiccups. I have three lessons that have shaped my approach to crafting with wood.
Lesson 1: Quality Assurance, Always and EverywhereOne of the most pivotal moments in my career was a quality assurance (QA) mishap during a hectic season. We rushed to ship our delightful masjid playhouses, complete with wooden pins meant to hold them together. Unfortunately, our QA team overlooked this crucial detail, resulting in a shipment without those pins. The outcome was terrible! We had to dispose of the entire 1000 units, resulting to financial losses and a significant hit to our timeline. Commitment to quality assurance is non-negotiable for the customer and for the business be present for the packing and shipping of your wood.
Lesson 2: Unleash Creativity with ColourWooden toys exude natural charm, but as Lila and Tiny began to experiment with wood the question around introducing colour came about. So, I started playing around with colours at home. This saved time during manufacturing when I was able to test colours myself rather than having the manufacturer send out samples of colours and repeat that back and forth. The things you have control over use that to your advantage.
Lesson 3: The Power of Local PrototypingBefore partnering with a oversees manufacturer, I harnessed the local wood workshop's power. Prototyping locally has been invaluable in the design process. We create prototypes on-site to iron out kinks and refine details before mass production and speaking to manufacturers.
Local prototyping allows us to assess how designs feel in reality, spot potential issues, and make swift improvements. It's an essential step saving Lila and Tiny from costly mistakes and ensuring our products are as close to perfection as possible before we open a conversion for mass production.
Lesson 4: Sustainability MattersIn an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, I've come to appreciate the significance of sustainability in toy design. Wooden toys are inherently more eco-friendly than plastic counterparts, but that doesn't mean we can rest on our laurels.
One essential lesson is sourcing wood responsibly, using sustainable wood from well-managed forests or reclaimed sources. This minimises our ecological footprint and resonates with environmentally-conscious consumers. We've also explored eco-friendly finishes and paints, ensuring our products are safe for both children and the planet. Sustainability isn't just a trend; it's a responsibility every designer should embrace.
Lesson 5: Listen to Your Young CustomersChildren are the ultimate end-users of our toys, and their feedback is pure gold. At Lila and Tiny we actively engage with kids by running focus groups, surveys, and observation of their play patterns to gain valuable insights.
Kids have an exceptional ability to see the world with fresh eyes and come up with innovative ideas. They might point out design flaws we overlooked or suggest exciting new features which have at times come into the final production, like the car in our Makkah City Set. Embracing their input enhances the play value of our toys and fosters a sense of connection with our young audience.