The Little Pirate:
Furniture Range
Client
Homecentre Kids (HCK)
Scope
Ideation, Iterative Design, 3D Model & CAD,
Prototype Development with Supplier,
Sample Checking, Finalizing Look & Feel.
Discipline
Industrial Design
Question and Objectives:
Reviving the ‘Little Pirate’ Range
How can we breathe new life into the outdated Little Pirate range by reimagining its design and centering a bold new narrative of a ‘treasure hunt’?
The updated furniture range should not only engage children in an exciting pirate-themed realm but also offer space-saving solutions, and promote interactive role-playing experiences. Below is the original Little Pirate range that served as our starting point.
Ideation Phase:
A Pirate Needs a Ship!
I kicked off the project by diving into the fascinating world of pirates, studying their ships’ composition and details. In parallel, I researched competitor pirate-themed ranges, both regionally and internationally, to pinpoint elements that could set our designs apart.
The first order of business was to establish the bed as the hero product of the Pirate range and then draw inspiration from its intricate details to guide the design of the case goods.
The Little Pirate range consists of nine SKUs: bed, trundle bed, nightstand, chest of drawers, mirror, desk with integrated hutch, bookshelf, wardrobe, and treasure trunk. Each piece was thoughtfully designed to contribute to an immersive pirate-themed environment while addressing practical storage and space-saving needs of growing children.
After multiple rounds of feedback from the HCK team, I collaborated with the children's home furnishing designer. Together, we developed graphic elements, including illustrations and pirate quotes, which were strategically integrated into the range.
Developing the Prototype:
Will We Find the Right Supplier?
Now equipped with the reimagined Little Pirate range, we shared the design brief with select suppliers. Eventually, we partnered with one of our trusted Malaysian suppliers whose expertise best aligned with the project's intricate design requirements.
Creating the pirate bed prototype presented unique challenges, compounded by the difficulties posed by the pandemic and global market shortages. We carefully balanced functionality, aesthetics, and material optimization to manage production costs. While some design compromises were necessary, we successfully achieved an optimal blend of form and function.
Following the HCK team approval and ISO safety testing, the Little Pirate range finally received authorization for mass production.
The Final Collection:
Little Pirate Sets Sail!
The Little Pirate collection transports children into a captivating world of adventure. Its design fuels children's daydreams of faraway escapades while offering a cozy haven for sleepovers.
The meticulously crafted ‘pirate’s ship’ bed anchors the collection, guiding the design of the complementary case goods of the range. Each piece sparks imagination and blends functionality, catering to the needs of both children and parents. The Little Pirate collection is the perfect place to create long-lasting memories for your little ones!
