‘Let the Play Begin’ is a collaboration between Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences and the Turkish toy manufacturer Play-Toys. Over the course of a semester, our international graphic design students explored toys as a medium of visual communication. In particular, we were curious to find out how these young designers express our world, its values, and its rules to future generations through their own game concepts.
To make these concepts tangible, the students experimented with 3D printing, felt embroidery, physical computing, mold casting, linocut typography, blind embossing, and pop-up book editorial design, among other techniques – demonstrating that graphic design techniques, new media, and physical production methods significantly enhance the gaming experience when thoughtfully combined.
The resulting game and packaging prototypes address topics such as emotion regulation, fear of the dark, and understanding nature for younger children – as well as the consequences of climate change, body dysmorphia, and women’s rights for older children and adults.
The exhibition takes place in the foyer of the university, concurrently with ‘Whitecliffe in Perspective’ and ‘2051 (Everything Turned Out Rather Well)’.
