Yoshiaki Ito's MoFU: Transforming Toys and Brainteaser Puzzles

Unfolding the Magic of Origami-Inspired 3D-Printed Toys

MoFU toys start as identically shaped cuboids that slide out of boxes on drawers, each unfolding into a different kind of animal - pig, monkey, tiger, hippo, and giraffe. Each animal is its own character with cute and iconic features, but each is also a distinct puzzle. Folding a MoFU back into the correct cuboid shape so it can perfectly fit back into its box is a brainteasing challenge, making these toys not just entertaining but also mentally stimulating.

These toys are 3D-printed using 100% recycled PET plastic from water bottles, utilizing selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing. The 3D-printed pieces of the toy are united by elastic bands which run through the center of each piece. The pieces are finished with polyshot surfacing and deep-dye coloring for safe use by children and maximum lifespan. This innovative approach to toy making demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and responsible design.

MoFU toys offer a unique interaction experience. They emerge from identically shaped boxes, but each transforms into a different animal figure with articulated joints. Elastic bands form the animals' tendons and ligaments, allowing maximum transformability and infinite possible poses. The toys are figurines, but they are also puzzles with varying degrees of difficulty, providing a multifaceted play experience.

The development of MoFU toys started in Brooklyn, NY in April 2018. The first animal, a pig, was created in May 2018; the monkey was finished in September 2018; the tiger in December 2018, the hippo in March 2019, and the giraffe in June 2019. The meticulous design process involved precise shaping of each piece to fit with its neighboring piece like a 3D jigsaw puzzle, and finding the perfect tension of the elastic bands for the toy to function properly.

Despite the challenges, Yoshiaki Ito's MoFU toys stand as a testament to the designer's creativity and technical skills. They are transforming toys that are also brainteaser puzzles, offering a unique and engaging play experience. With their cute and iconic features, eco-friendly design, and brainteasing challenges, these toys are indeed a marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creation that reflects the designer's prodigy and wisdom.