Super Chewer Toy
for BARK
BARK, is the startup behind the bark box, a monthly subscription for pet toys and accessories. I was given a prompt from to design some dog toys for their SUPER CHEWER line. A sub brand of chew toys targeting particularity energetic pups who love to chew. This usually means large breeds and its an interesting challenge because your designing a product where the user is not the customer so both have to be taken into consideration.
The prompt was to design three toys;
1. Re-think the game of fetch. I was tasked with coming up with a new product or system that could put a new twist on this old play style.
2. Create a toy our of a character or creature. My focus should be on elevating attributes and defining features to create unique play functions.
3.Finally, I was given free reign to com up with a blue sky idea.
Wound-UP is an idea for how to add another layer to the game of fetch. Essentially fetch is a game of straight lines, point A to point B and back. But what if we could add some unpredictability into the equation. If the the toy had two wheels on the sides and could be wound in the center we cold make it erratically "flee" from the dog once it hit the ground. This would add an element of surprise into the game and further stimulate the dogs 'predator instinct'.
For the character prompt I wanted something that was dynamic and unique so I looked to underwater world for inspiration. This chew toy features a durable rubber body wrapped in plush tentacles. The body is translucent so the CUDDLE fish will change color depending on what treats are on the inside.
My pup, Hazel, is a 7lb Dachshund/Yorkie mix (a Doorkie) and she spends all day looking for a sun-spot to lay in. I cant think of anything she would love more than a rumba style bed that tracked the sun all day so shes always warm and cozy!
After showing the initial concepts I was asked to expand on the under water theme and develop some other toys. Some of the ones that stood out were a giant clam that would squeak and close when chewed, a star fish with 'self healing' arms connected by a rope, and a peanut-butter filled conch shell.