Bud (Gravitational Toy)

 

Selected and exhibited in the first stage by

iF Design Award (Germany) on March 2nd, 2011.

 

Online exhibition on YANKO DESIGN.

 

Bud is a decorative toy that playfully explores gravity—a force we unconsciously rely on yet rarely appreciate. It invites players to enjoy the elegant simplicity of structure and the delightful interplay of color and chance.

 

The number of players is unlimited—from one to ten or more—and gameplay can last from minutes to months, depending on players’ preferences. Simple rules and intuitive mechanics make Bud suitable for all ages. Beyond a toy, it serves as an elegant decorative piece for any living space.

 

Players take turns attaching twigs to the growing structure connected to the corm. Attached twigs must match in color at their junction. As the structure grows, it tilts from the unbalanced center of gravity. The game ends when any twig touches the table or floor, or when a twig detaches due to structural overload.

 

Each end-twig features a small light-emitting diode (LED) that illuminates when attached to other twigs. The corm contains a battery that powers the LEDs and provides essential weight to act as a stabilizing counterbalance for the entire structure.