A text by Marie (GRIMM'S)
What exactly is the TINY ART COLLECTION – and what is the idea behind it?
Elke: The TINY ART COLLECTION arose from the desire to create aesthetic, almost artistic play materials that are simultaneously open, playful, and free, and that people intuitively feel drawn to without needing much explanation. They are, therefore, an invitation to open-ended play – something very close to our hearts – for children and adults alike.
Marco: Besides our important message about open-ended play, our motivation has always been to bring beauty into everyday family life with our play materials. Because our play materials appeal not only to children but also to parents, they can naturally remain at the heart of family life, such as in the living room, and don't have to disappear into boxes in the children's room. They are materials that remain accessible and visible, and can therefore be played with again and again. They belong at the center of life.
Who is the TINY ART COLLECTION intended for? Is it a collection for adults?
Marco: Children and their healthy development are our focus, which is why we encourage open-ended play with our toys. But we also want to get the whole family excited about it. So, to be clear: it's not an adult collection, even if it might look a bit more grown-up, but these are toys that appeal to both young and old through their appearance and function.
In connection with the TINY ART COLLECTION, you repeatedly mention "Never stop playing" – what does this phrase mean to you?
Elke: Many adults have forgotten what it means to play. And not only that: many adults have also forgotten what it means to be creative. They often fail right before they even begin because they have far too high expectations of themselves and consider themselves uncreative because they confuse creativity with producing something at the push of a button, filling a blank page, or something similar. Wanting to achieve something is already the first mistake, because pressure to perform stifles creativity.
To rediscover the many facets of creativity and how easy and carefree it can be, open-ended play is an excellent starting point. Our building materials make getting started easier. They provide some structure, but not too much, allowing you to quickly get started without having to think too much. The creativity that arises from free play is easy and spontaneous, and you don't need much to create something wonderful.
"Never stop playing" in this context means that we shouldn't stop playing just because we've grown up. Playing is incredibly good for us adults too, because it allows us to put our responsibilities and worries aside for a while and enjoy the moment – just like children.
Marco: The good thing about this sentence is that it's ambiguous. It doesn't just refer to age, but can also simply be understood as a positive exclamation from children who are always and everywhere playing anyway – just as it should be.
The building kits look almost like design objects. Are they intended as decoration?
Marco: We're hesitant to use the term "decoration" when referring to our play materials, because that often implies things that are only meant to look pretty. While our building sets are decorative, that's not where it ends; it's just the beginning. We believe that play materials can be part of the home environment. You can leave a built sculpture standing, modify it later, or reimagine it. These are objects that spark conversation and create connections – for families, offices, or as gifts. 
The colours look completely different. Are these new colours?
Elke: The exciting thing is: almost all of the colours have been available at GRIMM'S for over 20 years. Only two shades are new – ochre and apricot – and even those are mixed from existing colours. The difference lies in the combination. Our classic colour palettes, like rainbows, pastels, etc., work a lot with harmonious transitions. In the TINY ART COLLECTION, we deliberately focus on contrasts. This makes the colours suddenly appear completely different – more graphic, more contemporary, more artistic. We love it!
The shapes of the individual boxes are also very different. How did you approach this?
Elke: The collection thrives on diverse design languages: organic, geometric, architectural, abstract. Each kit has its own style and therefore appeals to different people. There are a total of five kits with the characteristic names FLOORS, RHYTHM, WAVE, MOVEMENT, and PANORAMA.
FLOORS is an architectural building set with stairs, gates and multiple levels.
RHYTHM features strictly geometric forms, making symmetry a major theme, and the small size of the individual components is striking.
WAVE is the only small construction kit with organic shapes and many wave-like curves.
The forms of MOVEMENT are abstract and unseen, making it appear experimental and surprising.
PANORAMA is the widest modular system in our range, and its breadth combined with the architectural elements creates an effect almost like a skyline.
Are there already any indications as to which of the construction kits seems to be particularly popular?
Marco: Interestingly, everyone who's seen the collection so far has immediately had their own favorite. Sometimes it's based on the colours, sometimes more on the shapes. This nicely illustrates how diverse the collection is. People usually feel spontaneously drawn to it, more by instinct than by logic. Some were particularly taken with PANORAMA, which might be due to its completely new and very striking frame design.
How does the TINY ART COLLECTION fit into the existing GRIMM'S world?
Elke: You wouldn't think it at first glance, but the TINY ART COLLECTION fits phenomenally into our existing GRIMM'S range. We've combined it with all the colour palettes, resulting in some very exciting and beautiful color combinations. Neon, natural tones, pastels, and monochrome work particularly well with it.
Marco: The TINY ART COLLECTION is a complete package in its own right and brings something new to the table, but our roots are clear, and the building kits in this collection represent everything that makes GRIMM'S what it is. The collection expands our existing range with another facet, making our offering even broader, without losing sight of where we come from.
The TINY ART COLLECTION brings together free play materials, designer colours and shapes, and generations. Its artistic yet playful nature is an invitation to create together without any pressure to perform, and full of creativity – for children and adults alike. May we never stop playing!
