SNAP SHIPS
Sci-Fi Construction Toy
During my time at PlayMonster I had the incredible opportunity to take part in designing their new construction toy line, Snap Ships. Snap Ships are a Sci-Fi construction toy that enables users to build limitless combinations of unique, detailed, and robust fictional space crafts for endless hours of play.
Snap Snips YouTube Channel
BUILDING BLOCKS
Snap Ships use a simple peg and hole construction system. In the core of the ships are 3 piece cubes that allow for an array of accessory pieces to be attached.
Every different ship comes in its own kit with unique pieces. Since the
building system is universal across the product line, pieces
can interchanged between kits flawlessly.
PREPARATION
The team of designers didn't want Snap Ships to exist as just a construction toy. We wanted a story behind them and lore for the the users to explore. My first semester focused on visual concepting and world building.
TAKING OFF
When I came back for my second semester at PlayMonster, the scene had been set. We were ready to start designing vehicles and space ships to fill the world that had been build around Snap Ships.
THE FORGE
THE KOMPLEX
The Forge are the protagonists of the Snap Ships universe. They are a rag-tag crew consisting of beings from all across the galaxy. They fight for freedom and against oppression and terror. Out numbered and out-gunned, they use their intuition, creativity, and piloting prowess to defend themselves against The Komplex.
The Komplex are the antagonists of the Snap Ships universe. They are hivemind, enslaved by their leader. His goal is to oppress and take over the galaxy. This is achieved by collecting ancient and
powerful combat technology made by the Ujucon. They use
this technology to attack The Forge and civilians alike.
SYCTHE AV-19 TANK
124 mm
64 mm
108 mm
The Scythe AV-19 Tank started its life as a large rover or APC for The Forge. We decided to turn toward something with more guns since one of the other kits already included a small rover.
In order to make each concept work within the Snap Ships construction system we had to rough out our designs in Fusion 360, print them, and
then test them with the cubes and other kit sets.
BLOCKING OUT
37 mm
17 mm
40 mm
20 mm
Making sure each piece functions within the system is a key part to making Snap Ships an enjoyable playing experience. With few exceptions, most pieces have to follow a set of design rules.
CONSTRAINTS
DETAILS AND DIRECTION
After I had the basic proportions of my design down, I started to imagine what this vehicle might have on it and transfer those details to CAD.
FINAL TWEAKS
Some adjustments were made to my design for production purposes. The canopy was made bigger to fit a pilot figure and some of the pieces were made more symmetric to aid to the rebuildable nature of the toys. Some of the pieces got extrusion cuts for mold cooling purposes.
POP OF COLOR
I also helped decide on the where we were going to apply the deco hits for each kit. Our budget allowed for 3 hits on each
kit and two different colors on the molded parts.
PRODUCTION
WHAT THE USER SEES...
APP ANIMATIONS
SAWFLY K.L.A.W MINELAYER
The second kit I worked on was dubbed the Sawfly K.L.A.W Minelayer for The Komplex. One of the full time designers at PlayMonster, Hayden, came up with the original concept and entrusted
me to refine his design and create it in CAD.
THE HAND OFF
Hayden had already came up with some great ideas, but there were still lots of decisions to be made regarding the ship's design. Being an ‘enemy’ ship, the design language for the Sawfly was much different the the Scythe.
FINAL TWEAKS
Again, some adjustments were made to my design for production purposes. The canopy was made a bit larger to fit a pilot along with some of the pieces getting extrusion cuts for mold cooling purposes.
POP OF COLOR
For the most of The Komplex ships, we were able to achieve the desired look by only using 1 deco hit, while still using 2 different mold colors for pieces.