Proposal:
For my final project, I plan to create a crochet toy that focuses on the idea of de-stressing as a form of empathy. To empathize, one must understand the feelings of another and then try to help that person understand their own emotions. My project will thus, be catered and intended towards any demographic that is struggling with the dangers of stress. The toy has been inspired by past destress toys that promote the showcasing of one’s emotions as well as its relief. The toy will have an outer crochet shell and an inner softer/fluffier/squishier filling that prompts users to squeeze and release, allowing the body to liberate itself of tension that comes with stress. It will help the body relax in order to further empathize with the actual user. The toy will differentiate itself by promoting its crochet surface for a warming presence, which combats the rubbery texture of leading brands. It may have suction mechanisms on its bottom layer so that it can attach to certain surfaces easily. It can be used on the table, in hand, or even below the desk table where certain environments may call for. It may also come in a pair as of the design (cherries, peas in a pod, etc) in order to provide more than one on a single purchase.
I plan to use crocheting techniques as I believe that the design may fit best with my proposal as compared to the knitting ones. On the digital side, I will most likely be designing the project by hand first, finalizing it in Adobe Illustrator and modelling it in Cinema 4D in order to make my project come to fruition. I am curious about how I can make my cinema 4D design more crochet-esque looking in order to benefit it for my poster designs and marketing proposals.
References:
Anti-Stress Enter Button
Variety of Stress Relief Toys
Hi Celine, I think maybe the way you play with this toy tells you something about how people who suffer anxiety or a form of stress feel. From your photos I’m not sure which direction you are taking, but if this is a character, maybe there is a story behind and this is not only an object to relief stress, but a story through which you can understand how other people feel when they are stressed. I don’t know, but I think the playing experience have the potential for making people empathize with others suffering stress.