# Modernized Meccano Toys Meekaanoo by Tomm Velthuis is Inspired by a Vintage Assembly Set By Meghan Young | Published 2014-05-06 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meekaanoo-by-tomm-velthuis References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3030053/the-classic-meccano-toy-set-gets-a-21st-century-spin) & [bytomm](http://www.bytomm.com/byTomm/PROJECT_MEEKAANOO.html) Meekaanoo by Tomm Velthuis, an industrial designer based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is a toy set inspired by Meccano, a playful system of colorful metal plates, angle girders and pulleys invented in 1900 by British designer Frank Hornby. Whereas the original toy could be arranged and rearranged to take on familiar forms, this modern spin is made up of abstract shapes that come together to create abstract objects. Although unorthodox, Meekaanoo by Tomm Velthuis inspires creativity on a higher level in children. The designer says, "It's more an art-piece than a product. But that fine line between [art and design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hape-x-the-met) is, for me, the most interesting.” Through these seemingly meaningly creations, he aims "to bring back fantasy and imagination into our high-speed, pragmatic lives." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 44% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Abstract Assembly Sets:** Meekaanoo by Tomm Velthuis takes inspiration from vintage Meccano toys and modernizes it with abstract shapes to encourage creativity in children. - **Artistic Playthings:** The designer's aim to blur the line between art and design leads to the creation of Meekaanoo, an art-piece disguised as a toy set. - **Imaginative Object Creation:** The abstract pieces of Meekaanoo encourage children to create unique and imaginative objects with endless possibilities. ### Who This Affects Most - **Toy Industry:** Meekaanoo has the potential to disrupt the toy industry by revolutionizing the way children engage in creative play. - **Design Industry:** Meekaanoo blurs the line between art and design, offering opportunities for disruptive innovation in the design industry. - **Education Industry:** Meekaanoo encourages creativity, imagination, and abstract thinking leaving scope for disruptive innovation in the education industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Life-Sized Toy Construction Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funphix.md) - [Kinetic Art Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-machine.md) - [Architecture-Inspired Building Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arckit-100-sqm.md) - [Reflective Kaleidoscope-Inspired Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kalegoidoscope.md) - [Big Apple Toy Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/machi-town-new-york.md) - [Magnetic Wooden Sculpture Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnetic-sculpture.md) - [Digital Magnetic Toy Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tenki-spliced-magnetic-attraction-toy.md) - [Innovative Toy Creations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kinetic-building-system.md) - [Towering Wooden Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tower.md)