OVERVIEW

The Orbit City Diner project is about proving that even a cheap, $5 toy can look like a high-end collector's item with the right design. I took a basic "dollar store" building set and gave it a complete "glow up" to see how packaging and branding change how we value an object.

Instead of the loud colors and flimsy cardboard you usually see in the toy aisle, I used a cool, Mid-Century Modern style inspired by old-school space-age diners. I swapped out the shiny, thin box for a sturdy, matte-finish design with custom shapes and a cleaner layout. My goal was to turn a simple plastic toy into a "lifestyle piece"—something an adult would be proud to display on their desk or bookshelf. This project shows that good design isn't just about how a product looks, but about how it makes the customer feel like they are buying something special.

Analysis & Reimagining

The Problem: Looking at the original $5.00 "Make-It Blocks" and identifying why it looks cheap (flimsy shiny box, generic colors, and "action-burst" graphics).

The Solution: Deciding to shift from a "kids' toy" to a "designer collectible" for adults, using a Mid-Century Modern (1950s/60s) theme.

Brand Identity & Storytelling

Creating "BLOKS": Developing a new brand name and a professional, minimalist logo through paper crafting and multiple renditions. 

Art Direction & Visuals

Retro-Futurist Collateral: The kit includes storytelling elements like the atomic space illustration kit. These pieces use "Halftone" textures and offset printing effects to look like authentic 1950s souvenirs.

Setting the Scene: Creating the "Orbit City" story—rebranding the diner as a futuristic space-age hangout to give the product more personality and charm.

The Staff

The Storytelling

Packaging & Structure

The Box Design: Moving away from a standard cereal-box style to a package Ready for Shipping through major retailers like Target.

The Unboxing Experience: Organizing the 122 pieces into three smaller internal boxes (labeled Rupe, Blupe, and Gupe) to make the building process feel more organized and premium.