Carnegie Mellon University

39-245 Rapid Design through Virtual and Physical Prototyping

Spring 2002

Project 1: Toy Concepts

Concept 1: The Re-Design of the Rubik's Cube

What is the physical principle underlying the toy?

The Original Rubik's Cube was designed as a self-contained 3D puzzle. Although there has been numerous Rubik's puzzle games developed since the release of the original "cube," many of the new puzzles deviate from the cubic form. The different designs presented below maintain the original 3x3x3 cube shape that many fans became addicted to in the early 80's.

What age group is the toy designed for?

The cube is appealing too many people of different ages. If you can hold the the "cube," then you are in the right age group.

How does the toy work/how does the child(ren) play with the toy?

The original toy has six face with six different colors. The cube is rearranged so that the 3x3 faces are well mixed in colors. The object of the toy is to solve the puzzle by change all the faces back to their solid colors.

Where did the idea for your toy come from?

The inventor of the cube was Erno Rubik, an Interior Design Lecturer.

The following are my new concepts for the Rubik's Cube.

The Soft Cube would have the same mechanism as the original cube, but the individual elements would be could with soft foam. (Think Nerf) It would be okay for smaller childern to play with The Soft Cube, if it was made with fabric instead of foam.

The Textured Cube would have six different designs raised on its surface. This would allow the visually impair to enjoy the puzzle.

The i-Cube would be made out of clear plastic, with the six faces in iMac colors. The cube could light up when it is solved. This design would really increase the cost of the cube. Colored plastic would replace stickers and electronics would need to be added.

i-Cube

Concepts by Tylesha Drayton