Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Children of Design Dictators

Search

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Children of Design Dictators

December 13, 2012

It’s not that we Design Dictators are controlling or anything: It’s just that we’re convinced that the best toys for going the distance are the ones we want to play with as well. Here are five favorites from around the world.

Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 3

Above: For Rubik’s Cube lovers, the Cubebot is a non-traditional take on the toy robot and was inspired by Japanese Shinto Kumi-ki puzzles; $28, Areaware; £23.99, SCP.

Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 4

Above: Fort Standard’s Balancing Blocks are Bauhaus Inspired and made from repurposed scrap wood. The ultimate purist amongst you design dictators can have them in all white but we’re relaxed on this one; $48, Areaware.

Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 5

Above: It’s never too early to introduce your children to the joys of design. When my eldest was two, he was so inspired by an architecture picture book we read together that he named his baby brother Colm (column). Draw Me a House by Thibaud Herem is an interactive coloring book that will inspire everyone to become interested in their built environment; $13.60, amazon.com; £11.66, amazon.co.uk.

Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 6

Above: Fionn the Fox, Liam the Hare and Brigid the Sheep, a trio of hand-knitted and friendly animals from Irish designer/knitter Claire-Anne O’Brien in collaboration with the fabulous Irish brothers’ duo Makers & Brothers; €62 to €68.

Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 7

Above: These ORB money banks by Danish designers Studio Arhoj are inspired by a fortuneteller’s crystal ball and encourage saving for the future with good design; for more information see HAY.

Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 8

Above: Based on his observations, designer Doshi Levien noticed that toys with the greatest staying power are the ones where “children apply their imaginations onto found objects already in the home and thus begat the “Rocker“; an ‘improvised ride” on a found object; see Richard Lampert for more information.

N.B.: To make sure we’ve got everyone on your list covered, see all of our gift guides to date in our Holiday Gifts section.

(Visited 183 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  Item 6 161Item 7 162

Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 11
Areaware

Cubebot

£23.99 GBP from SCP
Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 12
Claire-Anne O'Brien

Fionn the Fox

€68.00 EUR from Makers & Brothers
Holiday Gift Guide For the Children of Design Dictators portrait 13
Claire-Anne O'Brien

Liam the Hare

€62.00 EUR from Makers & Brothers

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0