Smarting the toy: a proposal for a framework for designing digital technology containing toys

Abstract

Toy design evolves parallel to any change in play concept and daily life of a child. Today’s toys, depending on the toy’s close relation with its time and space, include current technological elements in different forms. This study is carried out to put forward a framework for designing technology included toys. Within this respect, the determined toys, which have an important place in today’s toy market, are examined through netnographic methods. Depending on the findings, the importance of play value and user interaction for the technology included toys are underlined. As in every object’s design, the toy design process is also found to be highly linked with its user, manufacturer, and time and place. Today’s toy designer is the one who will position the new era toy by respecting the play essence of the toy and satisfying both the expectation of adults and children in the contemporary world.