Silver Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design · 2024
Turning Luck DIY Wooden Automaton Toy
by Wong Li Tong
- A' Design Award 2024 Silver Winner in Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Department of Visual Communication Design
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 399,433
- Verification code EBD8B8971D · Verify this award
About Turning Luck DIY Wooden Automaton Toy
The Turning Luck collection brings global good fortune to life through a series of interactive DIY automaton toys. Each model features a renowned lucky charm from diverse cultures, including the Maneki-neko and dreamcatchers, fostering a sense of cultural discovery. Vibrant colors and intricate illustrations represent each charm's unique heritage, while dynamic mechanical movements bring their symbolic luck to life. This all-in-one design minimizes waste by eliminating external packaging, contributing to a more sustainable user experience.
Drawing upon the rich traditions of folk craft and mechanical ingenuity, this kinetic assemblage represents a thoughtful synthesis of cultural heritage and contemporary design pedagogy, inviting makers of all ages to engage with principles of mechanical engineering through the joyful medium of artistic construction. The work demonstrates remarkable sophistication in its integration of traditional Scandinavian decorative vocabulary, most notably the iconic Dala horse rendered with characteristic floral ornamentation, with contemporary laser-cutting precision that enables intricate interlocking assembly without adhesives or specialized tools. The designer appears to engage deliberately with themes of fortune and transformation, suggested by the title's reference to luck and the automaton's kinetic nature, which brings static imagery to dynamic life through hand-cranked mechanism. The careful orchestration of illustrative elements, encompassing symbols of education, travel, timekeeping, and creative endeavor, constructs a visual narrative celebrating curiosity, learning, and adventure. Technical accomplishment manifests in the seamless marriage of structural wooden components with vibrant printed illustration, each material contributing distinct textural and chromatic qualities while maintaining visual cohesion. The transparent acrylic window revealing internal mechanisms serves both aesthetic and pedagogical functions, demystifying the automaton's operation while adding luminous depth to the composition. One might observe how the work participates in growing movements toward hands-on making, screen-free engagement, and the preservation of mechanical craft knowledge in an increasingly digital age. The warm material presence of natural wood, the tactile satisfaction of assembly, and the reward of kinetic motion together create an experience that honors traditional toymaking while embracing contemporary production methods. What personal associations might the assembled symbols of learning and journey activate in those who build and animate this charming mechanical theater?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The 'Turning Luck' is a series of DIY automaton toys that users assemble, integrating mechanical interaction with cultural icons of good fortune. Featuring ten lucky charms from around the world like the Maneki-neko, Dala Horse, and horseshoe, each represents diverse cultural backgrounds and embodies unique aspirations for positive living. As users turn the handle, each model's vibrant effects come alive, promoting cultural exchange and sparking positive energy and playful interaction.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Product Size
Galo de Barcelos:210 x 75 x 200(mm)
Maneki-neko:210 x 75 x 210(mm)
Horseshoes:210 x 75 x 180(mm)
Fairy Fox:210 x 75 x 200(mm)
Pysanka:210 x 75 x 180(mm)
Hamsa Hand:210 x 75 x 160(mm)
Daruma Doll:210 x 75 x 190(mm)
Dreamcatchers:210 x 75 x 215(mm)
Sun Vastu:210 x 75 x 215(mm)
Dala Horse:210 x 75 x 220(mm)
Packing box size：210 × 45 × 100(mm)
All the model parts can be stored inside the model, so the product does not require any additional packaging. - Tags
- Positive Life, Interactive Design, Intercultural Communication, Entertainment, Environmentally Friendly, Puzzle Type
- Production Technology
- The 'Turning Luck' emphasizes environmental sustainability with eco-friendly materials like MDF and acrylic panels. Assembly tutorial videos on the official website minimize paper and ink waste. MDF is laser-cut and UV printed with our designs before packaging. The acrylic panels showcase elements representing ten countries, allowing users to see rotating gears inside. The website includes assembly tutorials, cultural stories for each charm, and showcases our brand's story and philosophy.
- Design Challenge
- Our initial vision was a mobile game where players strategically placed lucky charms, but we realized it lacked the genuine feeling of "good luck." So, we turned global lucky charms into DIY assembly models. Users build and interact with these models, experiencing the essence of good fortune firsthand. Designing dynamic movements was our main challenge. With thorough sketches and prototypes, we ensured smooth assembly and engaging functionality, resulting in a truly interactive
- Project Duration
- The project will start in Taiwan in June 2023, be completed in Taiwan in January 2024, and have an on-campus exhibition at the university in January 2024. The follow-up plan is to exhibit at the Taiwan National Design Exhibition in May and June 2024.
- Operation Flow
- Users can scan the QR code on the packaging to access the official website, where they can read the culture stories behind each lucky charm and watch assembly tutorial videos to assemble the model themselves. Once the model is assembled, they can then turn the handle on the model to activate its dynamic visual effects.
- Research
- We chose the theme of "good luck" because many Taiwanese turn to superstitious practices in life's challenges, seeking solace and satisfaction. These traditions, like Taiwan's "Guai Guai" snack and Japan's "Maneki-neko" reflect unique cultural practices worldwide. Coming from Malaysia, we're inspired by this enthusiasm, driving our curiosity to explore luck traditions globally.
- Inspiration
- In today's world, many seek good fortune and positive energy when facing life's challenges, desiring inner peace beyond material gain. 'Turning Luck' offers a hands-on experience with dynamic wooden models, allowing users to explore the symbolism behind global lucky charms. Users explore the symbolism of each lucky charm, gaining insight into diverse cultural traditions, fostering respect for global diversity, and ultimately creating a positive and enjoyable interactive experience.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Designer Ng Kok Kiang,2023.
Image #2: Designer Lim Chiew Hong,2023.
Image #3: Designer Lim Chiew Hong,2023.
Image #4: Designer Ng Kok Kiang,2023.
Image #5: Designer Ng Kok Kiang,2023.
Colors of Turning Luck DIY Wooden Automaton Toy
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We design culturally-inspired interactive toys and educational products that engage users through hands-on assembly and mechanical play. Our award-winning collective specializes in creating eco-friendly wooden automata that celebrate global traditions while promoting cultural understanding through…
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