Garden Gambit
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A children’s chess set with a fun tactile surprise, that encourages play.
Toy Design, Product Design, Character Design
Ideation + Iteration
Mind Mapping Brainstorm
Used a mind map to do rapid ideation in multiple categories. Goal was to explore potential themes for children’s chess sets, both abstract and more classic.
Selected topics and subjects to further explore. Used “power dotting” to pick concepts to explore in sketch. Used pink sticky notes to add comments on feasibility and aesthetic concerns. (Green and pink sticky notes above to the right.)
Initial Sketch Ideation
Focused on two concepts: Whales and Sharks, and Root Vegetables. Found idea of submerging pieces in the board interesting; fun to hint at something more beneath the surface. For the Root Vegetables, I also considered replicating the wobbling/swaying of Weebles toys.
Inspiration Boards
Selected Direction
Updated inspiration board that appeals to chosen theme: root vegetable/vegetable garden.
Concept Development Drawings
Detail and Form Refinement
Tactile Element
Magnets located in the base of the chess pieces create resistance to mimic uprooting/harvesting the vegetables. The leaf/stem pieces “stretch” by having room to be pulled upwards, before catching and pulling the body of the piece off the board.
Final Pieces and Details
3D Development
First Print and Lofi Prototype
Small scale 3D prints modeled in Fusion 360. Stems made with felt and stem wire. Added magnets to base to add resistance. Final chess board would also be magnetic.
Updated Models
Full Board and Color Mock-Up
Physical Model Process
Used epoxy coating to fill 3D print gaps. Sanded epoxy coating. Used white primer to create even base. Spray painted pieces white.
Adjusted dimensions in Fusion 360 and modeled completed set.
Rendering
Used Blender for final render; Blender made it possible to customize gradients and have a felt-like coating for the leaves.
