Designer and Rochester Institute of Technology professor Josh Owen is at is again with his student project Metaproject 03. This time around, he has teamed up with Areaware, a New York-based company he himself has designed for in the past. The Metaproject 03 task set to his students was to design various wooden toys geared towards adults.
Throughout the year, his students researched wood and the meaning of Universal Toy. Their Metaproject 03 creations act as a sort of final. Yet instead of focusing on grades, students will be able to woo Areaware with their concepts, one of which will be chosen to be manufactured and sold.
The Metaproject 03 creations have been put on display during the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, which took place this past weekend in New York.
Adult-Geared Wooden Toys
The Metaproject 03 Series Partners Up with New York-Based Areaware
Trend Themes
1. Adult-geared Wooden Toys - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a new market segment by designing innovative wooden toys targeted at adults.
2. Metaproject 03 Series - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with design professors and students to develop unique and marketable product concepts.
3. Universal Toy - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the concept of a universal toy that transcends age and appeals to a wide range of consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce adult-oriented wooden toys to an industry primarily focused on children's products.
2. Design Education - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate real-world collaboration projects like Metaproject 03 into design education to foster innovation and practical skills.
3. Home Decor and Furnishings - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine the concept of adult-geared wooden toys with home decor and furnishings to create unique and interactive pieces.