Roll Play, Smart Treat Toys for Cats.
Concept, Design and Development/Management, 2010-2011. The Roll Play was developed to create a hybrid interactive toy by bringing four cat toys into one new idea series.
The project looked to combine a rolling treat dispenser, sisal scratch toy, rooster feather and dried catnip container into one new multi-role product offering versatility and different sizes and shapes offering something unique to the product category.
Success for this project was found in private labeling under PetSmart’s Toy Shoppe brand in 2011 - 2012, and Cynjo USA in 2014-2015.
KONG Cat Wobbler.
Concept, Industrial Design, Project Management, 2010-2011.
The WIobbler grew out of a patented project to meet the requests of PetSmart and KONG pet toys. The idea was to emulate what KONG had developed in their Wobbler toys for dogs, but incorporate elements of the patent to combine into a new, exclusive product. The buoy-like shape is hollowed and screened with a series of polypropylene radial blades to contain a live catnip plant (dirt and all) inside. And additional option includes an insert for keeping dried catnip in the toy.
Super Scratch Deck. Concept & Development, 2012. A versatile scratch deck that can be configured for space and location. A lockable pivot allows the deck to sit flat, upright, or angled to any situation. Replace-able corrugate cores keep the investment fresh and updated as kitty wears out.
Cat Spinner, Concept, Project Development, 2011. Developed as a reflex toy the touch-senstiive servo motor silently spins at different speeds, directions and incrementally, hiding in different spots under a hard shell dome mimicking mouse-like actions. Different soft foam and natural material decoys compliment the toy.
Scoop'n Bag Litter Scooper. Concept, Design, Project Development/Management 2009-2010. Built around the idea of keeping waste bags handy, the core of the handle supports standard roll baggies in a quick tear-off outlet. A ratcheting pivot head improves sifting in tight spaces.
Flat-Pak Cat Bed, Scratch Deck. Concept, Development 2012. A series of product development programs for offer to PetSmart and Target centered around recyclable and recycled plastics, paper and other materials. Ships-flat structures with a mix and match color/material aspect allows customers to build crates, furniture and other items from ready-to-go components at special store display fixtures. Seasonal colors and fabrics cam be offered to enhance the program with special offerings.
Cat Scratch Furnishings. Concept, Development, 2012. A extended line series of recycled and recyclable material furniture in bright colors and materials. Carpets and other wearables are designed to be easily replaced from a series of seasonal color and texture offerings. Many items are designed to ship flat or stack to minimize shipping bulk and improve store display quantities.
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Pet Projects: Cat Care and Toys
ANI Pets: Cat Toys & Care.
Not as much product development attention is paid to cat products as dog and we wanted to look to develop some innovative ideas for feline toys and furnishings. For toys the idea was to develop sort of a "kit-bashing" technique in taking several products that are usually considered as individual toys and bring them together into something new while being conscious of price points common in retail.
The first projects were developed and sold as exclusives with PetSmart from 2010 - 2012 and looked to be as interesting and innovative as dog smart toys have become.
Available
Freelance, Full-time, Moonlighting
Tristan Christianson
Independent Industrial Design, Product Development & Production
San Francisco, CA