‘PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD’
A tableware and tools set that encourages free play at the dinner table.
Consisting of a large clay tile combining the visuals of placemats and plates and inspired by playful landscapes and messy play areas (e.g. sandpits). The tools visually fit the landscape as well as having a functionality to them, to be used to play with the food, and a secondary functionality, to eat the food.
The project has a focus on rule breaking, instruction and play systems. By centring my theme around meal times I was able to explore breaking and/or contradicting predefined expectations within the interactions with a set of objects that mimicked both toys and kitchen utensils.
This outcome is intended for both children and adults alike and can be used by an individual exploring the different ways of eating and playing with the set as well as incorporating the concept of tiling (where the tiles can be arranged together for a larger meal).
In what ways can particular functions and scenarios be playfully subverted to be used in different ways to their original purpose?