Mira wonder wheel toy bar
The Wonder Wheel Toy Bar for the UPPAbaby Mira Bouncer was one of my early projects at UPPAbaby and an introduction to designing play-focused components for infants. I was responsible for designing the central wheel toy and the two side gears, focusing on manufacturability, tactile engagement, and visual alignment with the Mira’s soft, modern aesthetic.
Designing for Manufacturability
Early prototypes of the central wheel used a single-piece molded construction, which resulted in overly thick plastic sections and visible sink marks. To improve both manufacturability and surface quality, I redesigned the component as two molded halves that assemble cleanly around the central axle.
This approach reduced wall thickness while maintaining structural integrity, resulting in a cleaner appearance and a more production-ready part without compromising the interactive spinning motion of the toy.
Playful Sensory Engagement
The toy elements were designed to encourage reaching, grabbing, and early fine motor development. I developed the wheel’s diagonal textured pattern to provide tactile interest while ensuring the detail language felt cohesive with the Mira bouncer’s soft, modern design.
Paired with FSC-certified wood gear shapes that spin and slide along the bar, the toys create multiple points of interaction that keep babies engaged while supporting early hand-eye coordination and sensory exploration.
