ColorMix Fish
Mix and Match Bath Toy for Munchkin
The ColorMix Fish are a set of 3 Mix 'n' Match bath toys. They use special pigments to change colors when submerged in warm water.
My Role on This Product
Product Development Internship
After a few false starts, I was brought onto this project as a fresh set of eyes. As the concept evolved I took on more and more responsibility with this project, contributing to much of the development and refinement of the designs. I left just before the design team approved final materials and colors. The shipped product exhibits few changes from when I left the team.
Product design lead: Aidan Rosario
Product design support: Nick Trumbo, Yvonne Chan
Color-Changing Fun
The Munchkin 2021 Planogram
Munchkin’s 2021 lineup of new products features color-changing pigments to deliver fun and exciting experiences across their infant care categories. The marketing team asked for a new line of bath toys to be developed that highlight these color-changing features.
Mix-and-Match Success
Distinct Gestures
An exciting mix-and-match experience hinges on the diversity of characters and shapes. Each combination should feel cohesive while creating a unique character.
Twice the Combinations
Temperature-sensitive Pigments
Three base colors withing Munchkin's palette become six when temperature sensitive, color-changing pigments are in play. Dip one or more parts into bath-temperature water to multiply the number of fishy creations!
Final Gestures
Form and Proportion
The selected gestures for the ColorMix Fish strike a balance between the original geometric gestures and a fish-inspired form language.
Elliptical cross section is comfortable for small hands
Munchkin Heart-shaped interface provides secure friction fit
Side holes enable fish to float upright in the bathtub
Additional drainage holes help limit mold growth over time
Ballasts in the Bathtub
Floating Upright
The ColorMix Fish floats upright despite their flat form language. This is achieved via a cavity inside the bottom 2/3 of the fish. Acting as a ballast, this cavity shifts the center of gravity when it's underwater to re-orient the fish properly.
Mold Free
Drainage Holes
When separated and placed upside down, the intake holes on each component also drain the toy of any excess water. This prevents mold from growing on the inside of the toy.
The ColorMix Fish design, Munchkin logo, and photography featured on this page are © Munchkin Inc.
All Sketches were recreated after product launch and do not represent Munchkin Inc. intellectual property.