Client
ELISAVA
Overview
Developed as a group project, ME&O was conceived as an open-ended play system designed to encourage imaginative interaction and individual representation. The set consists of wooden base shapes and colorful, patterned elements that can be freely connected and rearranged. The design intentionally avoids gendered colors, symbols, or narratives, focusing instead on diversity, playfulness, and adaptability. Drawing on my professional background as a kindergarten teacher, I contributed to the concept development, ensuring that the game would support inclusive play and encourage social learning. The project was realized through handcrafted production in the workshop, combining woodworking, painting, and tactile finishes to create a sensory-rich experience.
Client
ELISAVA
Industry
Identity Design/ Toy Design
Service
Brand Identity
Toy Design
Packaging Design
Content
Design Concept
Duration
3 months
The Challenge
The challenge was to create a toy system that functions independently of gender norms and stereotypes while still being highly engaging and easy to use. It needed to work for different age groups, abilities, and social settings—providing room for personal stories and identities to emerge naturally through play.
The Solution
The result is a modular set of wooden figures and geometric elements, painted in bold, high-contrast colors and shapes to stimulate creativity and visual recognition. Each piece can be combined in endless ways—allowing children (and adults) to build abstract forms, characters, or symbolic structures. The shapes, colors, and patterns were carefully selected to invite interpretation without dictating meaning. The design process began with creative workshops where children were invited to draw themselves—from which the project derived its form language and identity cues directly from the authenticity and diversity of their drawings. The making process was fully manual and artisanal—from turning the wooden bases on the lathe to hand-painting each element. This craftsmanship gives each piece a unique texture and presence, enhancing the sensory quality of play.
The Result
ME&O offers a platform for creative self-expression that adapts to the player’s imagination rather than the other way around. It has been praised for its sensitivity, openness, and thoughtful design approach—demonstrating how play can foster diversity, inclusion, and empathy. By removing stereotypes and providing space for individuality, the project becomes more than a game—it becomes a shared creative language.
