plan toys: my first microscope
how might we…
encourage curiosity and build storytelling confidence through play, in a product that aligns with the plan toys brand?
My First Microscope was a toy design stemming from the course PDES 3711: Toy Design, sponsored by Plan Toys. See Plan Toys: Hive and Seek for the full design process.
Sketch model
Prototype Refinement
Form development sketches done by industrial design team member, Kevin Kwok.
I was involved during this process through feedback on dimensions, incorporating the stage mechanism, lenses, filters, and storage, as well as ideas for matching the brand identity.
Refined Prototype of My First Microscope
My First Microscope is a pretend play kit that allows children to act as a scientist! Its main features include a height-adjustable stage, magnifying eyepiece, 3 color filters, 4 microscope slide designs, and an educational booklet. All of the extra parts fit inside the sliding drawer for easy storage. The rack and pinion mechanism is designed to be visible for kids to explore linear motion and each light filter eliminates two colors, allowing for the discovery of different cell types in a fish, insect, plant, and human.
Fish, insect, human, and plant slides
Video Demo