FAO Schwarz Sky Coaster – 2021
Elevate marble madness to new heights. We teamed up with the MerchSource Design Team to develop a refined reimagining of the classic marble run game. Our take features a characterful chassis rolling on a steel ball, maneuvering down a course creatively constructed from among 141 pieces. We developed a system of interlocking tracks and trick features that offer a high degree of variability in a simple design. This makes free-play experimentation endlessly entertaining. We also created puzzle cards to offer spatial reasoning challenges for more structured play. Our goal for the project was to build upon a time-honored favorite with fun additions that supported extended play and the development of STEM skills.
FAO Schwarz Sky Coaster – 2021
Elevate marble madness to new heights. We teamed up with the MerchSource Design Team to develop a refined reimagining of the classic marble run game. Our take features a characterful chassis rolling on a steel ball, maneuvering down a course creatively constructed from among 141 pieces. We developed a system of interlocking tracks and trick features that offer a high degree of variability in a simple design. This makes free-play experimentation endlessly entertaining. We also created puzzle cards to offer spatial reasoning challenges for more structured play. Our goal for the project was to build upon a time-honored favorite with fun additions that supported extended play and the development of STEM skills.
As a live demonstration of momentum and gravity, the Sky Coaster inherently involves building up to heights for an initial start position. This 3-dimensionality makes for excitingly energetic descents, but poses challenges when trying to communicate track configurations with 2-dimensional graphics. We developed a visual system of colored arrows pad-printed onto each unique piece type. Pillar heights are related by number of pieces, and slots within each hold track sections aloft and grid aligned. With this system we could easily depict challenges for puzzle cards in a single simple graphic.
As a live demonstration of momentum and gravity, the Sky Coaster inherently involves building up to heights for an initial start position. This 3-dimensionality makes for excitingly energetic descents, but poses challenges when trying to communicate track configurations with 2-dimensional graphics. We developed a visual system of colored arrows pad-printed onto each unique piece type. Pillar heights are related by number of pieces, and slots within each hold track sections aloft and grid aligned. With this system we could easily depict challenges for puzzle cards in a single simple graphic.
Unlike other iterations of marble run games that have fixed ramps, we designed our track pieces with hinges at their attachment to the support pillars. In this way, the slope of the track is not set, but is adjustable by spanning varying heights of pillars. This introduces creative customizations that also incite consideration of geometry and physics.
Tuning track designs to achieve the appropriate speed is also central to mastering the Sky Coaster’s most exciting pieces. We designed trick features – tunnels, gap jumps, and loops – to instill mastery of the art of momentum. To accompany all the functional improvements we introduced to the set, we styled each piece with a charming Jetsons-esque retro-futuristic aesthetic. The end result is a contemporary refresh of an old favorite, ready to entertain and inspire the engineers of tomorrow.
Tuning track designs to achieve the appropriate speed is also central to mastering the Sky Coaster’s most exciting pieces. We designed trick features – tunnels, gap jumps, and loops – to instill mastery of the art of momentum. To accompany all the functional improvements we introduced to the set, we styled each piece with a charming Jetsons-esque retro-futuristic aesthetic. The end result is a contemporary refresh of an old favorite, ready to entertain and inspire the engineers of tomorrow.
