The Underfoot Eco-fiction toys. A design exploration
Abstract
The implementation and play effect of eco-fiction design criteria applied to designing a range of character toys is an important but under-evaluated field. Using an eco-fiction toy framework enables the designer to embed ecological principles within the character toy design process. Children engage in less outdoor play than previous generations. This global trend has impacted a child’s ability to understand and form a relationship with the natural world. Described as ‘nature deficit’ disorder, the decline in nature play can affect a child’s ability to self-actualise and develop relationships with non-human living beings. Well-designed commercial character toys can be powerful agents for environmental awareness and interconnectedness with the natural environment. The toys used in this study, referred to as Underfoot (the creatures beneath our feet) Toys and designed for children aged 5-7 years, demonstrate how character toys can embody eco-fiction narratives and simultaneously be designed as an ecosystem to encourage and stimulate imaginative play. The designs suggest the potential for a new genre of character toy specifically enhanced by outdoor play. Playtesting sessions were conducted with a focus group of 10 New Zealand Aotearoa children through video analysis, observation, field notes and post-play parent interviews. The results are compared to interview appraisals by international toy industry designers on the effectiveness of the final design's environmental engagement. Initial findings indicate that using an eco-fiction framework within the design of character toys can enhance environmental engagement for children and encourage them to develop unique ecological narratives in simultaneous play with the toys.
| Origin | Files produced by the author(s) |
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