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Origami-Inspired Desk Toys

The Ball of Whacks Forms Figures Out of Pyramid Pieces

— January 11, 2011 — Life-Stages
Forget Bucky Balls, the coolest new desk toy of the new year has to be the Ball of Whacks. Designed by Roger Von Oech, the Ball of Whacks contains 30 magnetic pyramid-shaped pieces that you can stick and shape together to form a variety of designs.

The Ball of Whacks may not look like much, but these 30 pieces can be used to build dogs, cats, flowers, and so much more. Check out the attached video to see this awesome new desk toy in action. Office workers, this should help you keep your sanity this year.
Trend Themes
1. Magnetic Toys - The use of magnets in handheld and desktop toys has disrupted traditional desk distractions.
2. Modular Design - Origami-inspired building blocks for toys that can be reconfigured into various shapes and forms suits updated consumer demands for modular products.
3. Stem-based Toys - Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focus in the development of toys inspires skills and knowledge important for future generations.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Brands that introduce magnetic or modular design features in their toy lines may have an edge over traditional design companies.
2. Office Supplies - Office supplies companies can modify the design of their products to add interactive and stress-relieving features in their current product offerings.
3. Educational Products - Creating STEM-based toys and educating children about innovative design and technology used in these products can help develop their cognitive and intellectual abilities.
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