making children’s dental care more fun and interactive
The Aim
To design a children’s toothbrush holder and flossing set. The goal is to design a unique set that makes dental care engaging, encouraging kids to develop good oral hygiene habits.
Design Objectives
Research existing children’s toothcare product solutions
1
Collect inspiration to ultimately design a product that is appealing to kids to motivate hygiene care
2
Research suitable materials and manufacturing processes for the product to be created
3
Ideate through sketching concepts and user interaction
4
3D model the final product
5
What’s on the market now?
1
2
Trains and Trucks Bathroom Accessory Set
Wayfair | $37.99
Forest Animals Bathroom Accessories
Walmart | $26.99
3
4
5
6
7
Fish Adhesive Toothbrush Holder
Etsy | $22.80
Dump Truck Countertop Organizer
Pottery Barn Kids | $34.50
Decorative Bathroom Accessories Set
Amazon | $35.99
Mushroom Toothbrush Holder
Urban General Store | $6.95
Brunch Brother Turtle Toothbrush Holder
W Concept | $13
The Discovery:
Variety of objects/characters that interest children
More interesting/fun when you interact with the character/object
Attention to ease of use, can a child easily use it?
Often made out of plastics or ceramic. Allows it to be easily cleaned in the bathroom.
Store Demographic: Where would this be sold?
I imagine this product being sold at Pottery Barn Kids in their bathroom storage and accessories category.
Pottery Barn Kids is known for their products that promote families to make healthy and happy spaces for their kids. Their products are safe and comfortable, but also stylish, fun, and adapts to children’s needs.
Many of their bathroom accessories are crafted out of a durable resin that resists water and can be wiped clean with ease.
Aesthetic Direction: Children’s Storybook
A scene of a bear fishing by the lake with two little fish peeking out of the pond. The fishing pole will serve as a floss dispenser, and trees off to the side will be incorporated into the scene for toothbrush storage.
Materials and Manufacturing | Casted Polyresin
Ceramic-like but is less brittle
Takes bright colors and graphics extremely well
can capture rounded and organic forms
heavier and more stable than injection molded plastic- ideal for countertop use
Why is it ideal?
Create the master 3D object to be replicated
Create a silicone or rubber mold of the object
Mix polyresin mixture and any color pigments
Hand pour mixture into molds
Cure at room temperature
Demolding
Hand finishing: seam removal, sanding, surface leveling
Hand painting any final touches
Clear coat for moisture resistance and cleanability
Manufacturing Process
This manufacturing process is best suitable for this product because it allows it to have a ceramic‑like appearance while maintaining durability, allowing it to be appropriate for children’s bathroom environments.
2D Ideation
Bear character style ideation: leaning towards a more cartoon feeling or natural feeling?
Figuring out the basic structure and elements: how it will all be connected, placement of floss spool, and toothbrush holder
The Chosen Set
floss comes out of fishing pole
floss breakoff point
flosser bear
layered tree design
toothbrush/ toothpaste holder
toothbrush/toothpaste tree holder
3D Sculpting
3D sculpting the flosser bear component in blender.
metal hook on fishing bobber for floss to break off
Observing a typical spool of floss mechanism to replicate inside the bear
underside view of bear
side view of bear
opening at the bottom with peg for spool of floss, with cap at the end to secure, hole in bear’s belly to pull the floss through
Final White Model Set
Final CMF
