KYLE POINTER
Product Design
"Enjoy imaginative play with your toddler and help them develop key skills on a LEGO® DUPLO® Town 10910 Submarine Adventure! This educational bath toy for toddlers provides lots to learn and talk about as young children pretend to film the whale and fish with the toy camera. At bathtime, the toy submarine floats and bubbles on the surface as the whale glides by and the fish blows bubbles below.." - The LEGO Group
LEGO Duplo
My first official briefing while working at The LEGO Group was within the Duplo department to explore new possibilities for toddler play, through sense, science and movement. We wanted to create some sets that allowed young players to explore and build on these early skills. Myself and then fellow intern and good friend, Alexander Locke, now founder of SolarSack, conceived and explored the idea of the first Lego Duplo submarine with special components. We build several prototypes based off the existing Duplo Airplanes, using a workshop to cut and saw and rebuild them with new pieces into a submarine.
Several prototypes were produced with different shapes, sizes, features such as doors, windows, openings, propellers and so on. We explored how we could use them in water to make them float and sink by adding air inside. Once designs were developed models were continued in CAD to be produced as Duplo elements. From here the project was passed on to the next developers who produced the final model seen now. I really enjoy designing for young children, particularly when considering the importance of different play types that can be included in designs.
The final product is a three-component submarine with a base element, a body element and a propeller. The resemblance from the existing airplane is clear, while the submarine has its completely own unique attraction. Although not involved in the CAD or element design of the final product, I am proud to be part of the design phase for this product. It opens a new play type for Lego which has not really been explored in detail before - water play - and creates a lot of education for young children through play.
Due to confidentiality Disclosures between myself and The LEGO Group I am unable to present any images of development or prototypes, only official final visualisations.