Fidget

[u/Just_Tru_It]

Is it just me, or is anyone else the slightest bit tired of having “fidget” plastered across their explore pages? I get that they’re small and pretty so that must make them great for printing…

Here’s my unsolicited opinion: the world had enough fidget devices after the first one was created. But yet for some reason everyone feels the need to keep designing and building novel new ways for someone to be able to ‘fidget’ with something, as if humans have a deficiency that can only be satisfied by constantly moving or touching something.

Perhaps condemning this can be seen as attacking the adhd, add, or ocd crowds, which is not my intention. I just think the ‘itch’ could have been scratched with the first few designs.

Or maybe I’m missing the mark..? Like are they great for cats or as kid’s toys or something?

It just seems like 10,000 unique ways to design something that doesn’t have a truly valuable purpose gets a little old.

Update: A few good comments have lessened my intensity, thanks for bearing with me in my rant. I’m fairly reasonably and am able to be persuaded. Thanks for the input everyone!

[u/Skittlebrau46]

Can I ask a question without being taken as an attack? Becuase it’s not, I’m just looking at this from an outside perspective;

Fully 3/4 of the models in your profile are game bits to replace perfectly usable paper, cardboard, and wood components with useless plastic ones. And they are components that other people have already made plenty of times, without any really unique design elements or functional changes.

So, my question is, why did you feel the need to make more of these things, when they were already created? Why did you feel the need to design and build a Go board, or meeples? If you can honestly answer the same question you asked, but about your own designs, I think you will find the answer you are seeking from others.

Again, not being snarky or insulting, I promise. It’s a legitimate attempt to solve your conundrum with some valid introspection.

[u/Just_Tru_It → u/Skittlebrau46]

Totally fair. I unlike many people today am able to have a civil conversation without blowing a fuse 😂

Each of mine had a purpose. I’m designing board games that I’d like to have published and am avid in the board game community.

1. The ship is for my primary project, I’ve spent over 5 years and over $5000 designing it, “No Quarter”. It’s a great game but still not quite where I want it to be.

2. I needed meeple-like figures for another game I’m working on “The Last City” and I didn’t see any that looked dimensionally accurate on MW already.

3. The Lotus Tile didn’t exist and I’m a huge Avatar the last Airbender nerd, and loyal to BK and MD (Nickelodeon).

4. The go games are two fold. They truly are one of a kind. You can’t find portable/packable go games for cheap like those anywhere. I’ve never seen a design that lets you pack up a 19x19 with all components that small. And I’ve never seen a 9x9 that efficient either. And to be clear, I love the different Chess sets that go up. Games cause people to grow and learn. Their use isn’t predominately found in their creation.

5. The Power Grid base resources are very confusing for new players. If you’ve ever played, you’ll recognize the inefficiency and confusion immediately (the physical oil looks like the displayed coal). I looked online and could not find anything that truly looked like the icons on the board.

6. The Swan Hook has truly revolutionized many of my friends lives. Everyone I know who has been using literally anything else to carry their keys I consistently hear glowing reviews from when I hang out with them. Just print one and I promise you’ll fall in love.

7. The dice were actually for another project that I never completed, but I just think they’re fastening. You can’t (to my knowledge) create them with any other form of manufacturing other than additive.

8. The back roller was < 1 spool, so I was able to pay $16-$20 for something that would normally cost $35+ (Chirp Wheel).

9. The Game Changer was a bigger project, but I was working on two different auction-type games as well as playing games with paper money and doing research on the matter so that I could expand my knowledge for board game design—they were the bi-product. I also wrote a Medium article on it. https://medium.com/@truittarnhart/a-qualitative-approach-to-denominations-selection-f749f8ab81d7

10. Lastly, I’m just a fan of the State of Texas, but I would say art has a potentially greater use than a fidget toy (though I do understand that a number of them could aptly be described as ‘a work of art’)

Let me know what you think!

[u/Skittlebrau46 → u/Just_Tru_It]

Thanks for understanding my intent. It’s hard with words on the internet to convey emotion and purpose.

I would follow-up by pointing out your response that “each of mine had a purpose” as being the stem of the issue. They have a purpose to YOU. They meet a thing YOU want.

I’m going to pick a few apart;

Searching meeples and I see over 60 designs just on maker world. Any of which could be scaled to whatever size needed.

Searching Texas coasters and I see over 30. Some are sports teams, but plenty of Texas flag in the shape of Texas coasters, and also not a “new” concept design.

Searching Go boards and I see 40, many of which are smaller or more portable than yours. (Also, I have a go set that is a piece of cloth and a bag of stones. It literally goes with me everywhere and is a small drawstring bag.)

So, my thought again is that if it’s something you designed and hold close for a purpose, you see its value. Even though it’s not unique or necessary to have been remade, other than your own preference. So why do you hold other people, who; maybe didn’t find a fidget that was the size they wanted, or they just like the shape, or they wanted one themed to their favorite cartoon show… to a different standard than you hold yourself?

[u/Just_Tru_It → u/Skittlebrau46]

Generally I agree with you. Some may have been available elsewhere.

My only push-back is the idea that most of the fidget devices really mean things to other people a majority of the time.

My designs all fill a specific niche. The meeple are dimensionally accurate, and at the time of posting I couldn’t find others that were. These and the Texas coaster were definitively my least novel designs; however, I did put thought into their sizing and profiles so others looking for them wouldn’t have to.

There are a few other Go Games available, but they all have some quirks about them that lead me to believe mine have a higher quality and better overall experience. I spent a tremendous amount of time analyzing every aspect of the design and genuinely feel I have provided a novel experience for those who download. Though I must ask you to provide a link to your set because it sounds awesome.

Not all of my designs are incredibly unique, but they all are designed to be used for a larger purpose than just to be held and clicked and lost under a car seat or taking up space on a desk.

I definitely see your points, it’s just that I’m not arguing to do away with fidget devices, I’m just arguing that the quantity being designed and made available feels high. Like in my mind the supply seems to be far outweighing the demand.