Pike: An Articulated Wooden Doll

A Unique and Playful Toy for All Ages

Pike is an innovative wooden doll designed by Tahsin Cetinoglu. Inspired by a love for toys and a passion for problem-solving, Pike brings a soul to natural materials and offers a unique play experience.

Pike stands out from other toys with its articulated design and tension power created by ball-ended elastic cords. This allows the doll to maintain any position you give it, giving it an athletic body look. The disassembly and assembly of Pike is part of the game, and it doesn't require any tools.

The elastic cords can easily pass through the joints and be strapped around them, making it effortless to assemble the doll's legs and arms. This unique feature adds to the fun and interactive nature of Pike.

Made entirely of finger-jointed natural beech blocks, Pike showcases the beauty of wood. The parts are manufactured using CNC milling technology, ensuring precision and quality. Unlike other toys, Pike doesn't require any paint, glue, or fastening elements. The tiny balls at the end of the elastic cords are made of recycled sawdust, adding an eco-friendly touch to the design. A mixture of clear epoxy resin is molded with the elastic cords, providing durability and flexibility.

With dimensions of 70mm (W) x 40mm (D) x 245mm (H), Pike is a compact and portable toy. It comes in a corrugated cardboard packaging measuring 120mm x 60mm x 280mm, making it easy to store and transport.

Pike is designed to be ready to play right out of the box. Its arms, legs, and head can be posed in various positions, allowing for creative play and storytelling. Whether you're a child or an adult, Pike offers endless possibilities for imaginative play. The unpainted, raw wood provides a tactile and relaxing experience, adding to the charm of this unique toy.

The development of Pike began in June 2019 in Ankara, Turkey, and was completed in Budapest, Hungary in March 2021. Throughout the design process, extensive research was conducted to understand the market and define the target audience. One-to-one interviews and data collection from various sources helped shape the design and identify its strengths and potentials.

Pike presented several challenges during its development, particularly in designing the wooden joint mechanisms and assembly system. The goal was to create a mechanism that was tough, movable, easy to assemble, and aesthetically pleasing. Through experimentation and prototyping, the designer overcame these challenges and created a functional and visually appealing toy.

Pike has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Toys, Games, and Hobby Products Design category in 2021. This prestigious award acknowledges Pike's creativity, resourcefulness, and contribution to improving the quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.

With its unique design, interactive features, and timeless appeal, Pike is not just a toy but also a poser model for artists and a figure for stop-motion animators. It brings joy and creativity to people of all ages, making it a cherished wooden friend for everyone.

Copyrights for Pike belong to Tahsin Cetinoglu, 2021.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Tahsin Cetinoglu
Image Credits: Tahsin Cetinoglu
Project Team Members: Tahsin Cetinoglu
Project Name: Pike
Project Client: Tahsin Cetinoglu


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