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David Meyerovich
ZooLinx
ZooLinx are modular skeleton figures of animals and mythical creatures that are adorned in exotic skins that flow with the figures' movement.
Humans have long formed connections with animals from an early age, often using them as tools for learning, from basic concepts to biological study. This fascination with animals and articulated forms is longstanding, seen in string bound figures from ancient Greece and in the poseable bronze animals known as Jizai Okimono created in 18th-century Japan.
Contemporary modular articulated toys often rely on single materials and fixed assemblies, resulting in predictable outcomes and limited long-term engagement. ZooLinx addresses this missed opportunity by separating structure from surface, combining soft skins with a freely compatible skeletal system hidden beneath. By encouraging open-ended recombination rather than prescribed builds, the toy promotes sustained creative agency, positioning play as an ongoing process of discovery rather than a finished result.
The ZooLinx modular toy system is built from 11 unique skeletal components. Four limb sizes are created using two standardized limb segments, enabling varied proportions and a wide range of movement across different creature forms. Simplified animal heads and interchangeable feet add character while remaining compatible with the shared structure. Components are 3D printed, while laser-cut felt skins fold around the skeleton and are secured using repositionable clip-on pegs.
