Self Confidence & Open-Ended Play
Children begin forming their self-images early in life. They need to feel loved, trusted, and empowered. With Junction, I want to give kids a toy that builds self-confidence and encourages creative exploration through open-ended play. There may be configurations that don’t work out, but there are no wrong answers. Children can create in a safe zone that encourages learning through hands-on exploration. Junction is designed to be simple enough that children can build and create entirely on their own.
Concept Development
Junction was initially geared toward being children’s furniture, but it evolved into a more versatile modular building system.
PVC & Dowel Joints
3D Printed Joints & Canvas Panels
Printed Joints with TPU Linings
TPU-Lined, Modular Joints
Rubber Joint Linings
Getting a clean surface when printing with TPU with typical back-and-forth printer movements can be difficult. For this lining, I made a slit in the wall of the part to make two separate, circular profiles into one continuous loop. I then printed the part in vase mode with a sturdy, solid foot. With the helical ribbing, this created a hollow, flexible, accordion-like part that flexes to accommodate inconsistencies in tenon diameters. It also cleaned up the printing surface by removing back-and-forth movements.
Dowel Process
The first jig worked, but wasn’t stable enough to be consistently precise. The second version was much more stable.
