Minimalist and fun, the WOO Toys reference the elements of air, earth and water.
Designed by Prague-based Czech architecture and product design practice Vrtiskazak, the award-winning WOO Toys collection shows what happens when minimalist design meets playfulness. The series of toys was created for WOO, a toy brand that takes its name from the interjection that expresses astonishment, delight or movement. The word also subtly refers to a shortened version of “wood”, as the company uses solid wood to craft the objects. To create the collection, the studio used three natural elements as a source of inspiration: earth, air, and water. A bulldozer, a plane, and a sailboat represent the three elements, respectively.
Featuring a minimalist aesthetic that blends clean lines with elegant curves, the WOO Toys double as decorative items. Safe to say, they’re perfect for kids and adults in equal measure. The company also crafts them to last. Similarly to vintage toys, these objects feature a combination of solid wood and paint finishes. All three designs feature a lustrous, varnished finish and bent veneer elements that add a dynamic accent to each item. Natural textures also give the toys a warm finishing touch. Black and white paint covers the body of every toy, creating a bold contrast. Additionally, the studio used unvarnished wood parts for the sailboat’s sails, the plane’s wings, and the bulldozer’s wheels. The WOO Toys collection has received the Designblock Award 2014 in the Best Product category. Photography ©Vrtiskazak.
