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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

: At the end, there are the challenge for me to create a piece, which on one hand is a toy that take care for the energy of children and on the other hand works as an aesthetic piece of furniture. In its shape and color, it should be open minded for fantasy, no matter what age.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

: I am very interested in patterns. How do they collide, where do they connect, on which point do they break? And what happend, when i combine this with a clear outline? I wanted to achieve that it has a clear modern design on the one hand and contain the dynamics of an animal on the other hand.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

: The goal is to expand sales. To sell in other countries and to make the animals better known. We are currently looking for distribution partners.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

: It takes around a half year. Including to test which design fits best for which animal.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

: When a friend of mine got his first child and I had just arrived in fatherhood the moment reached, where the inspiration came to life. From an idea, drawn on a napkin, we developed 4 animal figures and brought them to life. Their simplicity and clarity have both excited us. The children who were already allowed to romp extensively, were the best confirmation of our sense.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

: As a father of two wonderful kids who loves design and structure, I wanted to create something that would work as a great durable toy, but also be an eye-catcher in the living room when the kids finally sleep.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

: The grandparents who have already freed themselves from the children's toys of their children, but want to have a great play area for their grandchildren. Waiting rooms of all kinds also have exactly this need to keep order and at the same time to reduce the waiting time by playing.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

: I have not found anything on the market that combines design and play so consistently. I think I created an innovation here. I have tried and tested different patterns per animal. Not every pattern suits an animal. Sometimes a monochrome surface is suddenly exciting again

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

: World of Original Frieds = WoOF - Squad The animalistic guerrilla group is known to be always on duty for the pacifist protection of the rights of small creatures (preferably children and animals). The name developed natural from the story behind the squad, which we have come up with.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

: First pen and Paper, than Illustrator and 3D Max.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

: I was looking for a phrase for movement and fun using patterns. The clear form combined with wild patterns gave me the area of tension in which I wanted to work. That it works shows me the DesignAward and great feedback of the first customers (mostly children).

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

: For the production I am supported by a tailor and a material supplier. They support me with their craft to implement my idea and get qualitative results. All animals are made in Germany and I always have the opportunity to visit my producers and speak with them directly, with the material in our hands. I like that very much. And I am grateful that this is still possible in this globalized world.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

: Craftsmanship is a value that is disappearing more and more. It is often about working efficiently and economically. With this product I can go back to the roots and that isnoticeable in the quality of the product and this technique is irreplaceable.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

: It took some attempts to find someone who could process the fabrics in the quality as needed. So we searched for a while.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

: It was a challenge to find the right craftsmen. There were also regulations that are particularly high in children's toys section.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

: Woof is an innovation. With their clear form and sophisticated function, the animals connect two worlds that were previously separate.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

: All the materials we used, the regulations for children's toys and a completely new customer market, were all challenges, but great learnings, too.