Overview
Bio Buddies is a set of collectible animal toys designed to foster children’s emotional connection with nature through play. Developed as my graduation project for the Master’s in Design for Kids and Toys at Politecnico di Milano, it explores how kawaii aesthetics, storytelling, and gamification can promote environmental awareness and conservation values.
- Graduation project, Politecnico di Milano.
- Exhibited in Milan, Italy – May 2025.
- Individual project: Norma Jara Arellano.
- My role: market research, concept story, sketching, character design, 3D modeling, rendering, and prototyping.
- Desk Research (Theoretical Framework)
I started by studying three key concepts that shaped the project:
- Biophilia (Wilson, 1984): children’s natural affinity with living beings.
- Neoteny (Lorenz, 1949): how cuteness influences empathy and engagement.
- Gamification (Kapp, 2012): learning through collectibility and challenges.
This research helped me define Bio Buddies as toys that combine cute aesthetics with real animal information, creating emotional and educational value.
2. Market Research
Market analysis of animal toys in Japan Stores and online platforms (e.g. Yodobashi Camera, Amazon, TikTok).
Identified 4 categories: traditional animal toys, cute real animal toys, fantasy animal toys, and animal art toys.
The gap I found was the absence of real animal toys designed in a kawaii style that could both create emotional connection and educate children about animals.
3. Concept Development
I sketched concepts and developed a storyline where animals guide children through different biomes. I chose three Peruvian species—Cock-of-the-rock (jungle), Spectacled Bear (highlands), Humboldt Penguin (coast)—to represent biodiversity.
I designed characters and created storybooks to test narrative appeal with children.
4. Testing with Children
I organized tests in Peruvian schools with kids aged 3–7. Using two storybook versions, I observed how children responded to human vs. animal protagonists.
Result: animal characters (penguin and bear especially) created stronger emotional engagement.
This confirmed the potential of kawaii-style real animals to connect play, empathy, and learning.
5. Prototyping & 3D Modeling
Translated characters into 3D models.
Prototypes produced with PLA 3D printing for evaluation.
Validated usability (easy to hold, solid structure) and emotional appeal.
I modeled the characters in 3D and produced prototypes using PLA 3D printing. These were tested for ergonomics (easy to hold, solid) and emotional appeal.
Presentation & Defense
Presented as my Graduation Project for the Master’s in Design for Kids and Toys at Politecnico di Milano (May 2025).
Norma Jara 