Cork Toys: Tradition and Innovation

Abstract

Innovative technologies are embraced by children in natural and spontaneous ways. However, today’s children need the same primary needs as those of past centuries and their healthy development still involves running, jumping, manipulating objects, stimulating the senses and socializing. In this paper, the authors describe the design and development of a first collection of toys made with cork (elou® collection) material. The design process from the ideation phase until prototyping and industrial manufacturing is described. All toys developed are in the market.