Eames Little Toy offers myriad possibilities to build and play
The reissue of Eames Little Toy is an open-ended invitation to build, expanding the legacy of Ray and Charles Eames
Ray and Charles Eames conceived the Eames Little Toy in 1952 – a design imagined as a ‘tool of inspiration and creativity’, dedicated to children and grown-ups – and it was produced until 1961. Now the Eames Office has reissued the design for the first time, expanding the designers’ ideas to a reach new contemporary audience and demonstrating how their approach to design and play still resonates across the design world today.
Eames Little Toy by Ray and Charles Eames
The Eameses were prolific in their creation of designs and ideas for children, including their playable Elephant sculpture (now reissued by Vitra in a variety of colours) the Colouring Toy (a kit allowing children to explore shapes through play) and the Eames Toy – a large-scale modular kit with parts that come together in infinite compositions for building play spaces.
The Eames Little Toy is a compact version of the latter, and is a set with an open-ended invitation to build. Inside the box are eight printed cardboard panels in bright colours and patterns, wireframes and connectors that can be assembled into myriad compositions.
The Eames Little Toy nods to the designers’ interest in prefabricated architecture and the simple intuitions at the core of their work, often defined by an essential visual language that uses colour to celebrate functionality. The parts that make up the toy can become houses, hanging sculptures or abstract desktop architecture, and their adaptable nature encourages children to play beyond the toy’s immediate limits, using the objects they have to build narratives and scenarios.
‘Charles and Ray were serious about the designing of objects – from the initial brainstorming of constraints to an item’s longevity through the decades – and simultaneously, they derived many of their design processes from toys,’ reads a note from the Eames Office. ‘The intrinsic qualities of toys taught the Eameses that a design could be unselfconscious, simple in its use of materials, and provoke a feeling of delight.’
Eames Little Toy, $79, is available from the Eames Office
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Love, melancholy and domesticity: Anna Calleja is a painter to watch
Anna Calleja explores everyday themes in her exhibition, ‘One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night’, at Sim Smith, London
By Emily Steer Published
-
Two new books examine the art of the logo, from corporate coherence to rock excess
Pentagram’s new book reveals 1,000 brand marks, while the art of the band logo is laid bare in Logo Rhythm
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Art, culture, watches & jewellery editor Hannah Silver’s gift guide
From a Beryl Cook cushion to an offbeat diamond ring, there's something for everyone on this Wallpaper* editor's gift guide, embracing art, culture and style
By Hannah Silver Published
-
'Toys and games are the preludes to serious ideas': inside the Eames' toy collection
'Toys and Play' is a virtual showcase from The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, illustrating the toys that inspired Ray and Charles Eames throughout their careers
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Expert tips for collecting Eames furniture
An Eames of Your Own is The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity’s latest guide, offering top tips for aspiring collectors of Eames furniture designs
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Dine on an Eames table at Oakland’s Snail Bar
‘Tables! Tables! Tables!’ is an Eames Institute pop-up (until 12 June 2023) at Oakland’s Snail Bar, celebrating the link between food and design
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity celebrates a pioneering design legacy
Launched by the designers’ granddaughter Llisa Demetrios and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, the digital portal makes Charles and Ray Eames’ processes and works available to all
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Life and times: the Barbican celebrates the world of Charles and Ray Eames
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated