Play-Doh Design Project: A Creative Adventure

Back in university, I took an advertising design class that gave me one of the most memorable projects of my academic life: creating a slogan and a print ad for Play-Doh. It wasn’t just an assignment—it was a chance to reconnect with my childhood and explore the power of creativity.

First Impressions: Play-Doh as a Design Challenge

When the professor introduced the project, I was both excited and a little confused. Play-Doh? The colorful, squishy clay I used to play with as a kid? I hadn’t thought about it in years, but suddenly, it was the center of my design world.

To get started, I dove into research. I learned about Play-Doh’s history, its role in child development, and its iconic slogan, “Think. Create. Play.” It struck me that this wasn’t just about selling a product—it was about inspiring kids to imagine, explore, and create.

The Creative Process: From Chaos to Clarity

At first, my ideas were all over the place. I thought about creating a surreal ad where a child builds an entire city out of Play-Doh. I also considered a more emotional approach, like a parent and child bonding over a Play-Doh session.

After a lot of brainstorming, I decided to focus on the core idea of Play-Doh: endless possibilities. My slogan became: “Masterpieces begin with a can of Doh.” It was simple but powerful, capturing the idea that every child has the potential to create something amazing.

For the visual design, I kept things clean and impactful. The ad featured a child’s hand sculpting a tiny city out of Play-Doh, with a soft, gradient background symbolizing limitless creativity. I wanted the image to speak for itself, so I kept the text minimal.

The Struggle: Hitting Roadblocks and Finding Solutions

This project wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. My first few drafts felt off—too busy, too vague, or just not engaging enough. I hit a wall and started doubting my ideas.

Then, I decided to take a step back. I bought a few cans of Play-Doh and started playing with it, just like I did as a kid. As I squished and shaped the clay, I realized something: design isn’t about being flashy or complicated. It’s about connecting with people and conveying a message.

With that in mind, I simplified the design. I focused on the child’s hand and the tiny city, letting the image tell the story. The result was clean, direct, and full of heart.

The Outcome: More Than Just a Grade

The final design got a thumbs-up from my professor and classmates. But more importantly, it taught me something valuable: good design isn’t just about looking pretty—it’s about making people feel something.

This project also showed me that creativity isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes, you hit roadblocks, and that’s okay. Every challenge is a chance to grow and improve.

Looking Back: A Project That Stuck With Me

Even now, this Play-Doh project holds a special place in my heart. It wasn’t just about designing an ad—it was about rediscovering the joy of creating something from scratch. It reminded me why I fell in love with design in the first place.

If you’ve ever worked on a project that brought you back to your roots, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment and share your story.

A Few Notes:

• This project was part of a university course and was created solely for educational purposes.

• All designs were original, inspired by Play-Doh’s brand philosophy and my own creative exploration.