A Whale Joins Bath Time
Mushie Whale is a bath toy for young children, created as a new character alongside classics such as the rubber duck and toy boat. The goal was a friendly, instantly recognisable form. Among several concepts, the whale proved the strongest.
Planbureau developed the concept, form and function together. Prototypes were used to test floating, grip and manufacturability. The project progressed to a production-ready product form.
Client
Industry
Product
Location
Timeline
Servces
Mushie
Children’s Products
Bath Toy
International
2 weeks in 2024
Market Research
Concept Development
Industrial Design
Prototyping
Design Engineering
Visualisation
Among Familiar Bath Toys
Bath toys are dominated by familiar archetypes, especially ducks and small boats. Their instant recognition makes it difficult for a new object to stand out. At the same time, the form cannot become overly complex.
Mushie needed a toy that felt friendly and immediately understandable. It also had to suggest a character of its own. The product needed to fit naturally into the brand’s restrained visual language.
Character Within Constraints
Alongside a distinctive character, safety and stable floating were essential. Size and proportions had to suit the hands of young children. Simple manufacturing placed further limits on the form.
Planbureau tested the whale’s mass, grip and position in water through prototypes. We refined its silhouette and details. The final shape balances emotional appeal, function and manufacturability.
Made to Float
The result is a rounded whale figure that is easy to hold and floats stably in water. Its strong silhouette remains recognisable with very few details. The form is safe for young users.
Its simple construction supports efficient serial production. The restrained character fits naturally into Mushie’s visual world. Whale adds a new companion to the familiar family of bath toys.
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