Cubes, bars, balls and nails. Apparently simple elements, which contain careful studies and centuries of design history. HOW A TOY IS BORN

Often the essential is the basis of a brilliant idea. One who knows about toys tells us about it. Alberto Quercetti, Creative Director of the educational toy factory of the same name, tells how often elementary components are enough to make a brilliant product. “I am starting from an example that is particularly close to me. What could be simpler than a nail? Brilliant idea dating back to the late 1940s and which, despite the “age”, continues to be present in the homes of all children “.

But we must not confuse simplicity with banality. “Behind a apparently essential toy hides a long and careful study of the shapes and sizes best suited to the child’s hands, as well as particular attention to the proportional relationships between the parts. The starting point in the conception and design of a toy must always be him: the child. It often happens that you lose sight of the goal and the final recipient of the product you are designing, perhaps focusing on an idea of ​​appeal, but unsuitable for the target. The focus in the conception and design of a toy must always be the child. Play is not just a pastime, but a formidable tool that helps the child to build an open and flexible mindset, and leads him to make decisions and choose the best solutions to face the “difficulties” of the game itself. An object with such a high educational potential for individual growth deserves careful study. For this reason it is essential that those who deal with children, in any sector they work, from the design of toys to the drafting of texts, to childcare products, have specific pedagogical knowledge. Historically, and still often happens today, toy designers work side by side with pedagogues and child care workers. from the design of toys to the drafting of texts, to childcare products, have specific pedagogical knowledge. Historically, and still often happens today, toy designers work side by side with pedagogues and child care workers. from the design of toys to the drafting of texts, to childcare products, have specific pedagogical knowledge. Historically, and still often happens today, toy designers work side by side with pedagogues and child care workers.

Too often the toy is limited to being a mere reproduction of the world of adults or in any case a declination of a pre-existing object, forgetting the importance of continuing to invest in research and development. The relevance of a multidisciplinary approach and an in-depth historical and artistic knowledge at the basis of the design of children’s toys should be highlighted. Multidisciplinarity is therefore another key word. Let’s go back to our initial example, the nails, a toy yes, but even before a mosaic inspired by a graphic technique of reproducing images, in particular by the color printing processes with the screen. And even earlier, in the second half of the 19th century, a composition game with colored spheres.

Usability and safety clearly remain priorities when designing a toy. Safety regulations, which have become increasingly stringent in recent years, are often seen as limits for a designer. In reality, it is precisely in the face of so many stakes that creativity expresses itself at its best. Failure to respect these limits implies a wrong approach to the project, when one forgets that the child is at the center