Paper-Pals
Paper-Pals blends sustainable material, intentional package structure, with physical and digital play, to explore innovative ways to extend the product life of children's toys.
Project Date
2019
Solution
Package Design, UX/UI
Role
Self-led
The Perfect Subject
Children’s toys pose significant threats to our environment with its short product life, and often wasteful, non-recyclable packaging,
The Nuts and Bolts toy have been around for decades to help children ages 2-4 develop their motor skills, coordination, memory, and pattern recognition. With it’s narrow target age range, how might we reimagine it’s typical plastic packaging to increase it’s life span by introducing new ways to interact with the toy?
Part 1Structuredfor Creativity
The redesigned packaging is built by fastening the Nuts and Bolts between a stack of cardboard pieces that can be torn apart and used as building blocks for creation.
This simple, compact, and multi-purpose structure is not only sustainable, but introduces new elements of functionality that empowers creativity through construction.
Part 2Extension throughDigital Learning
In addition to the physical play experience, I introduced a digital accompaniment to further extend the functionality of the product by introducing additional moments for creativity and learning.
Above is a mid-fi prototype for the app, titled “Paper-Pals”. Drawing visual references from children’s worksheet, Paper-Pals, is an AT inspired experience that enables the user to scan and digitize their creation, and interact with them through story telling and other educational activities.
Paper-Pals
Paper-Pals blends sustainable material, intentional package structure, with physical and digital play, to explore innovative ways to extend the product life of children's toys.
Project Date
2019
Solution
Package Design, UX/UI
Role
Self-led
The Perfect Subject
Children’s toys pose significant threats to our environment with its short product life, and often wasteful, non-recyclable packaging,
The Nuts and Bolts toy have been around for decades to help children ages 2-4 develop their motor skills, coordination, memory, and pattern recognition. With it’s narrow target age range, how might we reimagine it’s typical plastic packaging to increase it’s life span by introducing new ways to interact with the toy?
Part 1Structuredfor Creativity
The redesigned packaging is built by fastening the Nuts and Bolts between a stack of cardboard pieces that can be torn apart and used as building blocks for creation.
This simple, compact, and multi-purpose structure is not only sustainable, but introduces new elements of functionality that empowers creativity through construction.
^ Nuts and bolts are fastened onto a stack of tearable cardboard pieces
^ From airplanes to giraffes, build anything using the packaging
Part 2Extension throughDigital Learning
In addition to the physical play experience, I introduced a digital accompaniment to further extend the functionality of the product by introducing additional moments for creativity and learning.
Above is a mid-fi prototype for the app, titled “Paper-Pals”. Drawing visual references from children’s worksheet, Paper-Pals, is an AT inspired experience that enables the user to scan and digitize their creation, and interact with them through story telling and other educational activities.
Copyright © 2026 Sean Lin
Paper-Pals
Paper-Pals blends sustainable material, intentional package structure, with physical and digital play, to explore innovative ways to extend the product life of children's toys.
Project Date
2019
Solution
Package Design, UX/UI
Role
Self-led
The Perfect Subject
Children’s toys pose significant threats to our environment with its short product life, and often wasteful, non-recyclable packaging,
The Nuts and Bolts toy have been around for decades to help children ages 2-4 develop their motor skills, coordination, memory, and pattern recognition. With it’s narrow target age range, how might we reimagine it’s typical plastic packaging to increase it’s life span by introducing new ways to interact with the toy?
Part 1Structuredfor Creativity
The redesigned packaging is built by fastening the Nuts and Bolts between a stack of cardboard pieces that can be torn apart and used as building blocks for creation.
This simple, compact, and multi-purpose structure is not only sustainable, but introduces new elements of functionality that empowers creativity through construction.
^ Nuts and bolts are fastened onto a stack of tearable cardboard pieces
^ From airplanes to giraffes, build anything using the packaging
Part 2Extension throughDigital Learning
In addition to the physical play experience, I introduced a digital accompaniment to further extend the functionality of the product by introducing additional moments for creativity and learning.
Above is a mid-fi prototype for the app, titled “Paper-Pals”. Drawing visual references from children’s worksheet, Paper-Pals, is an AT inspired experience that enables the user to scan and digitize their creation, and interact with them through story telling and other educational activities.
Copyright © 2026 Sean Lin