Tanisa Samaddar - Matcha Play Set

"What the hand does, the mind remembers." - Maria Montessori

A toddler-friendly, culturally-inspired toy set designed for roleplay and sensory engagement. This 5-piece playset was inspired by my love for matcha - not just as a drink, but also as a ritual; the process is meditative. By incorporating Montessori principles, this playset is an attempt to translate these actions into a toy that supports a child's motor development skills, cognitive development, and cultural curiosity.

Software used: Autodesk Fusion360, Blender, Blenderkit, Cinema 4D, Maxon Redshift, Adobe Illustrator

Inspiration & Research

Montessori Principles

i) The playset encourages interaction through real-life actions such as pouring, scooping, and whisking. This is perfect for reinforcing fine motor skills.

ii) It is encouraged to have a beginning, middle, and end for activities. It helps children learn order and sequencing, thus, aiding their memory.

iii) Introduces children to new cultures and rituals in an age-appropriate way.

iv) The set uses simplified forms of their real-life counterparts, which is needed for learning through imitation.

Sketching & Ideation

Focused on small, quick sketches to explore different shapes and proportions for each component. These sketches helped balance functionality, aesthetic, and cultural storytelling.

Chawan (tea bowl)

Chasen (whisk)

Chasen Bristles and Chashaku (scoop)

Cups

Kusenaoshi (whisk shaper)

Milk pitcher

Component Design & Technical Sketches

Chawan

Cup

Chasen and Kusenaoshi

Note: The initial ideation process included a milk pitcher and a mochi tray. However, while refining the core concept decided to remove it. Traditional matcha preparation doesn't involve milk. This ensures the set is culturally appropriate and avoids unnecessary complications.

Prototyping

(in order of testing)

Material & Color Finish

Explored non-toxic wood stains by Pure Color which offer low-VOC and water-based finishes safe for children (known for putting things in their mouth). Provides soft, earthy tones. Replicated these finishes on Blender for visual accuracy.