MakerBrane's Branes: Revolutionizing the World of Construction Toys

Winner of the Silver A' Design Award, Branes is a game-changer in the realm of creative play.

Designed by Ayssar Arida, Branes is a construction toy system that stands out from the crowd. It is not just another set of building blocks, but a universal connector that is compatible with a wide range of existing products. This unique feature allows children to mix and match parts from different brands, encouraging hybrid constructions and aesthetics. The design is a testament to the inventiveness of childhood, where toys were often created from scavenged parts and even rubbish.

Branes is composed of three compatible modules, each with its own personality. These modules combine in thousands of ways to create solid or moving joints and structures. Unlike closed brand systems, Branes are designed to encourage creative thinking and re-use. They are fun to create with by themselves, but their true potential shines when they are used in conjunction with other brands.

The design realization technology behind Branes is injection moulded glossy ABS plastic. The product comes in a cardboard box with a sleeve, containing 64 Branes: 16 Black HalfBranes, 16 White HalfBranes, and 32 Yellow PinBranes. The design is cross-brand compatible with more than 20,000 parts, including famous brands, 3D prints, and off-the-shelf nuts and bolts, craft, and making materials. Design instructions are available online, curated by a global community of creators using the online 3D Design app at makerbrane.com.

The project started in 2016 in Beirut and went through five major design directions before the final design was launched in the summer of 2018. The main research for the design came through designing iterations and playtesting with children. The biggest challenge was to create a playful cohesive system with a minimum of different module designs that is compatible with a maximum of existing parts from other brands.

MakerBrane's Branes was awarded Silver in A' Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award in 2019. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder. The intellectual property rights for the design belong to Ayssar Arida and MakerBrane SAL, with a patent pending.