Primary Research - Ilkley Toy Museum

I had half a day yesterday to conduct research/make progress with my project as I was working in the morning. I therefore decided that the most productive way to put those few hours into use was to complete more primary research. I therefore visited the Toy Museum in Ilkley, which is only open at the weekends. When I arrived I was told that photography was ‘strictly prohibited’, however I managed to wangle it so that I could take photographs for my project. Whilst I was there I was mainly looking for trends which were, at some stage, prevalent in the packaging and advertising on goods.

I looked out for key colours which were used – nothing that these were mainly primary colours, or also more pastel shades on products for girls. I also paid attention to the ways in which the dolls and bears were dressed, considering that this could provide me with inspiration for a photoshoot at a later stage in this project.

I purchased postcards and play cards from the gift shop, as these helped to enhance my research by providing a tangible example of what I had witnessed, providing me inside for the reader.

Ilkley toy museum is prized as being one of the finest private collections of toys in the North of England and, although only small, provides great insight into traditional toys, their packaging, using of imagery, USP/ESP, success and desirability – all of which are essential pieces of knowledge for my research brief.
I considered the importance of nostalgia as an ESP which may help to drive the sales of the product – either through the product itself, or the way it is marketed. The Museum asks the visitor to consider what happened to the cars/old dolls house that they used to play with. It then presents them – along with memories. The ways the displays are ‘merchandised’ tells a story in itself, and this really caused me to consider the impending photoshoot.

The exhibits represents a journey back to childhood, promoting the thousands of happy hours spent by children and their ‘limitless imaginations. I photographed items including dolls, dolls houses, teddy bears, tin plate toys, lead figures, games, wooden and paper toys. These were as ancient as 350BC to the present day, and really inspired me to consider what may have been lost in the translation of a product from tangible to digital.

I have uploaded these documents onto Word, ready with text boxes with annotations. However before I annotate these images, I will annotate the magazine cut-outs from the Toy Fair, as I must stay ahead of secondary research which will aid me to write my marketing report.

On Tuesday I am planning on visiting another two museums, so I will keep this blog alert of these excursions.