Penny: A Unique Piggy Bank Design

A Symbol of Resilience and Creativity

Penny is not your ordinary piggy bank. With its unique design and functionality, it offers a fresh perspective on saving money and overcoming financial challenges. Unlike traditional piggy banks, Penny can be broken into pieces and reassembled in 95,040 different ways while retaining its essence and functionality. This interactive feature provides users with an enjoyable way to access their loose change.

The design of Penny is a result of careful consideration and technical expertise. Composed of 12 PVC injection molded parts, each measuring 75 x 75 mm, Penny is both durable and visually appealing. The material used in its construction offers high resistance to impact, ensuring that Penny can withstand falls or strikes without losing its charm. The surface finish of Penny has a fine textured and matte appearance, concealing any marks or scratches.

One of the key elements of Penny's design is the use of neodymium magnets as attaching elements. These magnets allow the different parts of Penny to securely connect and provide a seamless user experience. The complete piggy bank has a diameter of 127mm, and each part comes in a small packaging of 100mm per side, making it easy to assemble and enjoy immediately after unboxing.

Penny not only serves as a functional coin container but also as a canvas for customization. Just like traditional ceramic piggy banks and vinyl toys, Penny can be personalized and transformed into unique creations. The possibilities are endless, and each reassembled version of Penny becomes a reflection of the user's creativity and individuality.

The development of Penny was not without its challenges. To achieve the desired aesthetic of a broken piggy bank, Narvaez had to create and experiment with a computer algorithm using parametrical software. This algorithm allowed for the tessellation of a sphere into equally chaotic-looking parts, giving the impression of a shattered object. The interlocking of these modules in any direction posed an additional challenge, requiring precise geometry and tight tolerances.

From ideation to product development and manufacturing, the Penny project took almost two years to complete. The research phase involved literature reviews and archetype research to understand the symbolic significance of piggy banks and the importance of saving money. The final design of Penny aims to provide a meaningful and educational way to teach children about the value of saving.

Penny has already received recognition for its innovative design. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2022, which honors well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. This accolade acknowledges Penny's integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world.

Penny is set to hit the market by the end of 2022, offering a new perspective on saving money and embracing resilience. With its unique design and interactive features, Penny invites users to reimagine the concept of a piggy bank and find beauty in the brokenness.