Fidget Toy

Inspired by yo-yo, I set out to find a “play” experience that gets users attracted to the simple and repeated motion of spinning, rolling, or throwing, at the same time having some space for creativity (tricks). At last, I decided to explore the design that enables users to move a metal ball from one finger to another.

Research

To get started, I analyzed all the toys I have played growing up, and found that toys I played during each stage of my life had their own emphasis on experience such as simulation and interaction.

Sketches

I thought of the simple and repeated motion of spinning, rolling, or throwing when I made sketches.
At last, I decided to explore the design that enables users to move a metal ball from one finger to another.

sketch1.png

sketch 2.png

sketch1.png

Prototype #1

Playing around magnets and metal balls, I discovered that magnetized metal balls were able to transfer an identical metal ball from one finger to another.

User Experience

From a sample size of 10 people in my design class, 8 people liked and got the game within the 5 min of playing with the prototype.

Prototype #2

Since the material should be stretchy and soft to fit on fingers of different sizes, I then tried casting silicone rubber in 3D printed molds that were modeled in Fusion 360. The problem with this cast is that it only has one hole for the liquid silicone to pour in, no holes for the air to go out.

I also found that home-made silicone rubber (caulk and corn starch) was not the best material. Although I made a functional prototype at the end.