Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Swedes know Toys




So, my cousin just had a baby, my nephew turned four, and my co-worker's wife is due any day now...boy-oh-boy have babies been on my mind this month!

As a designer, I'm expected to give cool gifts. Maybe I put that pressure on myself, but I'd rather pretend it comes from an outside source. The gifts can be hand-made like an original painting (oh how people love those), some sort of photo montage (seems a little generic but I do love a good photo!), a stylish outfit (keyword stylish), or some sort of designerly toy (aka European).

SO, in my search for two family baby gifts and a gift for a fellow designer's newborn, I came across some interesting sites. First of all, there was a cool blog called Droolicious | modern design for modern parents from the magazine Babble. And also a great ecofriendly site called Happy Green Baby (because we are all so green these days). Some really cool ideas, clothes, and other products on both sites which I am definitely letting my friends and family know about, however, I didn't find my answer for a cool gift here.

Most of what I found (that I actually liked) was from Swedish designers. I mean, look at this...I can't remember where I pulled this but whatev.....how could you not love this bear.



Or how about this set for a little boy?
Playasm has such sleek, modern, beautiful designs! I really want to buy some things from them but BOY aren't they pricey?! If only we weren't in a recession! I'm gonna be in trouble once I start having my own kids...until then I guess I am going to montage or paint a pretty nursery picture for those I love.

Shobbs this one is for you my dear...
This is a BRIO design.

I wish I were Swedish :)

2 comments:

  1. Hi Jordan! I work with Shelby over at Galison/Mudpuppy.... she says you're looking for kid blogs, so here's a bunch:

    http://www.minordetails.typepad.com/ (our Constructibles are on there!)
    http://www.babygadget.net/
    http://kidshaus.typepad.com/
    http://bkids.typepad.com/
    http://www.lmnop.com.au/blog/
    http://hopskipjump.typepad.com/
    http://yokiddo.com/

    I understand your need to give designy gifts, I had the same dilemma a few months ago when my cousin had a baby (even more pressure since I design toys!) I settled on this adorable bunny by Israeli designer Manuella:http://www.i-design-shop.com/manuella-bunny-p-497.html

    good luck!
    Emily

    ps-not ALL designerly toys are European!!

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  2. Haha! I know, you're right...I didn't really mean it :)

    Thank you so much for the list, this is great! I'm excited to search through each of these sites. And by the way, that bunny is fan.tas.tic. It WILL be purchased for one of the three kiddos.

    Thanks for posting, Emily!

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