Interview about Gumbek Didactic Toy, winner of the A' Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award 2024
Gumbek is a didactic plush toy that stimulates creativity and encourages the development of fine motor skills through play. This modular toy comes in parts and kids have to assemble their own toy by connecting the parts together in order to create a whole. There are seven different segments; three larger ones and four smaller ones. The pieces are attached to one another by threading the buttons through the buttonholes, which helps to improve fine motor skills, Also, the arrangement of different shapes helps to develop imagination and creativity as the toy can be put together in different ways.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsI'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.
My decision to maintain traditional handcrafted methods was deeply inspired by my grandmother, a master toy maker, and the legacy of my family’s toy-making tradition. Preserving this aspect of our heritage was essential to me, as I believe that handmade products carry a unique sense of soul and craftsmanship that mass-produced toys simply can’t match.Handmade toys also tend to be of higher quality, more durable, and built to last. In fact, I offer lifetime free repairs for any wear and tear—whether it’s a tear in the fabric or a drop in the stuffing—so the toy can stay with the child for years, rather than ending up in a landfill.Additionally, the handmade production process is far more eco-friendly than mass production. It minimizes waste and uses safer, more sustainable materials, which makes the toy not only better for the child, but also for the environment.
Receiving the Bronze A' Design Award in the Toys, Games, and Hobby Products category has been an incredibly validating experience. It’s a recognition that confirms I’m on the right path and provides a significant boost of motivation to continue adhering to my core principles when designing toys. This award reinforces the importance of blending creativity, education, and functionality in my work.Looking ahead, I’m even more inspired to continue developing educational toys that stimulate both learning and imagination. I plan to expand the Gumbek collection and introduce new innovations within the smart-toy space, creating more products that encourage hands-on, meaningful play for children.
Children develop their sensory skills through their senses of hearing, sight, touch, and taste. These senses act as the first 'windows' through which they explore the world, helping to stimulate and 'illuminate' different parts of the brain. Sensory toys play a crucial role in this developmental process, as they engage the child’s senses from an early age and help build foundational cognitive and motor skills. With the Gumbek Didactic Toy, I wanted to integrate these sensory aspects into the design by using a variety of textures and materials that children can touch and explore. Different materials—soft, smooth, bumpy, and textured—encourage tactile exploration and help improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory integration.
When developing the Gumbek Didactic Toy, I was committed to meeting several key design criteria: durability, safety, and aesthetic appeal, while ensuring the toy remained an engaging and effective learning tool. I didn’t want to compromise on any of these aspects, and I believe I achieved a harmonious balance between them.To ensure durability, I used high-quality materials that combined with quality workmanship would withstand frequent handling and play, without sacrificing the tactile experience. At the same time, I prioritized safety by adhering to all standards of the The EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC). Aesthetically, I wanted the toy to be visually appealing and stimulate creativity without being overly complex or distracting. The design is simple yet expressive, inviting children to engage with it on both a functional and imaginative level. By focusing on both form and function, I believe I’ve created a toy that not only meets safety and durability standards but also offers a meaningful and enjoyable learning experience.
From the survey of 200 parents, one key finding was that children today are increasingly lacking the opportunity to develop fine motor skills. Parents reported doing many tasks for their children, such as buttoning shirts or tying shoelaces, which results in children not engaging enough with their hands. This underdevelopment of fine motor skills often becomes apparent when kids start school, as they struggle with basic tasks like holding a pencil correctly or writing neatly.Additionally, the survey highlighted that children today often have too many toys, which leads to a lack of sustained emotional connection with them. This emotional detachment can hinder their ability to engage deeply with objects and affects their long-term emotional development.In response to these insights, I designed Gumbek with the goal of helping children reconnect with hands-on play while also developing essential fine motor skills. The toy's modular structure encourages kids to assemble and reassemble the toy, providing opportunities to practice dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and other fine motor tasks. Furthermore, by allowing them to personalize and change the toy's appearance, I aimed to foster a deeper emotional connection, making the toy more meaningful and, in turn, more likely to support their overall development.
I wanted to create a toy that was inclusive of all children, regardless of their level of imagination or creativity. Not every child feels comfortable expressing their ideas right away, and some may not yet have fully developed their creative thinking skills. At the same time, some kids thrive in more structured play while others flourish in open-ended, imaginative activities.By offering both structured and creative play options, I aimed to give all children the chance to engage with the toy in a way that suits their individual needs and developmental stages. The idea was to provide flexibility, so whether a child prefers a guided experience or one that encourages free exploration, they can still enjoy and learn from the toy.
While I may not expect Gumbek Didactic Toy to make a massive global impact overnight, I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve seen over the past few years. Every new customer, every parent who takes the time to think more consciously about how their children play, feels like a small but significant victory.What I truly hope is that Gumbek contributes to a broader conversation around the importance of screen-free, developmentally beneficial play. In a world where kids are increasingly drawn to digital devices, I believe offering hands-on, creative play experiences is a step in the right direction. Even if the impact is gradual, I’m happy to make a difference, one step at a time, toward a future where play is recognized for its essential role in children's growth and development.
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