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
Defining the Direction
Despite a sharp rise in 2023, board games are on the decline again. Children’s screentime continues to increase, while caretakers search for “offline” entertainment options. How do we encourage children to play classic games again?
Chess set design goals:
Potential chess set themes were determined by categories of interest in children today. These concepts were brought onto paper to explore form through sketching.
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.
Inspiration Boards
Final 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 leaving space for the stem to travel upwards, before catching on the housing 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.
