IO Blocks

IO Blocks was the first toy system I designed for Guidecraft. It was inspired by the digital world and brings the pixelated language of vintage video games off the screen. It started with a simple concept, a 3” x 3” grid, with 1/2” by 1/2” squares. Through a process of adding curves and straight lines to this grid we developed 12 unique shapes that became the original blocks. This simple process has allowed us to add complexity while still keeping the integrity of the system.  IO Blocks have been developed into a complex world with gears, slides, people, vehicles, and cows. I also worked on the IO Block Maker-Space which is an outline teachers and after-school programs can use to design and 3D print unique IO blocks with their students.  IO Blocks was a finalist for the 2016 Preschool Toy of the Year Award (TOTY).

Here are a few of my sketches of early iterations of the IO Block shapes and early thoughts about how the pieces would fit together.

Here are a few of my sketches of early iterations of the IO Block shapes and early thoughts about how the pieces would fit together.

Here is a photo of the IO Block packaging and a few IO block builds. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

Here is a photo of the IO Block packaging and a few IO block builds. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

IO block build *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

IO block build *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

Here is a photo showing a child connecting the original IO blocks. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

Here is a photo showing a child connecting the original IO blocks. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

IO Block Build, *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

IO Block Build, *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

 

IO Block Marketing Video

This video was created by the marketing team at Guidecraft. It shows the basic concepts and user experience of IO Blocks.

 
This is an excerpt from the Bridge IO Block Maker-Space Lesson. I developed these lessons in collaboration with the Guidecraft team.

This is an excerpt from the Bridge IO Block Maker-Space Lesson. I developed these lessons in collaboration with the Guidecraft team.

Here is one possible outcome of the this lesson. I created this bridge with parts I designed and 3D printed. You can check out the Maker-Space here: https://guidecraft.com/makerspace

Here is one possible outcome of the this lesson. I created this bridge with parts I designed and 3D printed. You can check out the Maker-Space here: https://guidecraft.com/makerspace

Here is another excerpt from the IO Block Maker Space Lessons.

Here is another excerpt from the IO Block Maker Space Lessons.

Here is one possible outcome from the insect lesson. I designed and 3D printed these parts. You can check out the Maker-Space here: https://guidecraft.com/makerspace

Here is one possible outcome from the insect lesson. I designed and 3D printed these parts. You can check out the Maker-Space here:

https://guidecraft.com/makerspace

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