Thursday, September 25, 2008

Model 1- Magnetic Blocks.


So here is my first model which i completed last week. For those of you who don't know what it is or does i will try to give a quick explanation. The product consists of a set of magnetic blocks with and a playing board. There are 6 different sorts of blocks, all are a different colour and produce a different sound when shacked. The product is used to measure the skill development and exceptional skill area of children aged between 18 months and 4 years. The blocks can be played with in four main ways physically, mathematically, artistically and musically. It is up to the child as to how they play with the blocks. During a play session the child is to be observed by a trained professional such as a child psychiatrist.

In my next model i plan to address certain problems such as: Block storage, Block size and the magnetic feature of the blocks. If you have another suggestions please let me know...

Thanks Tim.

5 comments:

Student Contributor said...

Hi, your product is very interesting. Perhaps you could work in a slot around the perimeter of the square board to place the blocks after the child is finished, or perhaps elevate the whole board to allow for out-of-sight storage, underneath. In model making last semester I used a lot magnets for various hatches and things, it’s really easy, just buy those circular fridge magnets, remove any attached plastic body, then drill an appropriate sized hole in your wood/foam and stick in the circular magnet, the depth of the hole is up to you and how much you want the magnet to protrude. You could also try and purchase just flat magnets in strip form, to cover the entire base of your blocks. Also, i reckon the blocks may look even better with small subtle chamfers over the edges (only a few millimetres wide), maybe that’s more suitable for younger children, say of 18months, protects them against any sharp edges. Also it’s going to be interested to see you implement a part line and microphone into the blocks, which I assuming you may do, or you could have some other construction method in mind. Looks clean cut, simple and great. I really like the glossy outer of the board and the foam butts on both ends, works well.

-Daniel

Student Contributor said...

Sorry, that was from Daniel Dob.
Cheers

Student Contributor said...

hey man.

cool idea. one thing you might like to address is the actual sizes of the blocks. your design is intended for young children (todlers) and thus we all know about the "do not let children under age 3 play with, has small parts may choke on" etc etc. so you need to make sure it is safe for young naive curious (hungry) todlers...

but definintely make it big, bold and colourful to interest the market!

neat idea.

luke

Student Contributor said...

Hey there Tim
Fantastic stuff, I really like the idea of a block toy thingi… :D
It kinda reminds me of Tetris which is classic, eternal and more importantly fun! With these sorts of things I think simplicity is paramount and I think you should modify the blocks and make them more of a “block”. I wasn’t there for any of the presentations (we are in different classes) and I don’t exactly know how the game measures what it’s meant to measure but I think staying closer to the simple Tetris look is the way to go. You might say it would be too simple to model square blocks but I don’t think that should be an issue as long as Robbie is ok with it. I was thinking maybe L shaped or rectilinear and square blocks if you catch my drift. Oh one more thing, it looks pretty inviting and I don’t think you should restrict it to a small age range as I wouldn’t mind giving it a go if I see it lying around somewhere! (Unless it is too boring for adults to try out)
Good work mate
Jeff

Student Contributor said...

i like this idea, maybe you can incorporate more detail in the base that you build the blocks on eg shapes/colors to match up with the block

adis