The Birth of a Puzzle Legacy
In the late 1980's Dan Gilbert was asked to create a puzzle for the poison arrow frog exhibit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. He wanted to make it illustrative and eye-catching. Inspired by existing square matching puzzles, he chose instead to use triangles and added a frame into which the pieces would nest and also match. This allowed for a larger canvass for illustration and also made the game portable . A deceptive formula would allow the puzzle to be nearly assembled in numerous configurations but would have only one solution. When the concept was complete the production proved too expensive to manufacture for the Aquarium, but a few years later after the introduction of new digital tools like Macintosh and Adobe Illustrator, the process became economically practical and Triazzle was born.
Triazzle puzzles are now available online at Studio for Helios. This specialty market also features exclusive, rare and collectible products you won't find anywhere else. A secret goldmine for collectors of Gilbert, Disney and other properties!
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How It Works
The object is simply to place the triangular pieces into the frame with all pictures matching. There are numerous options where to place the triangles but only one will lead to the correct solution. Triazzle challenges strategic thinking, memory and even willingness to risk. Variations of the brain teaser have been made for all ages. It has won numerous awards including Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products, Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio, Newsweek Editors Choice Award, and iLounge Top 100 iPhone Games.
The Art of Puzzles
Stunning imagery has from it's inception been a hallmark of the Triazzle series. Since 1991, artwork for Triazzle has been created by Dan Gilbert and in collaboration with several illustrators at the Art Group. Media has included pen and ink, painting, colored pencil, photography, and has been produced in Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop. Additionally, Triazzle has featured licensed art including Pixar's Toy Story, The Simpsons, Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Looney Tunes and Star Trek.
Graphical Variations
Most of the 100+ themes have included all manner of animals, birds, insects, reptiles, fish, plants, space science and pop themes like teddy bears, ladies shoes, guitars, magic, toys, vehicles, dinosaurs and much more. Nearly 5 million Triazzle Puzzles have sold worldwide. Art created for the puzzles has been licensed for printed and woven textiles, apparel, wall coverings, stationery, carved painted wood and other consumer products.
Platforms
Triazzle began as a 16-piece puzzle for ages 8- adult Over the years it expanded to include a 9-piece Triazzle Junior, 24-piece hexagonal Master Triazzle, 12-piece Star Triazzle, magnetic Travel Triazzle, Tiny Triazzle, Kids Triazzle. Computer Games: Berkeley Systems Triazzle Living Puzzle, Activision's Triazzle Rainforest, Total Triazzle, the award-winning Triazzle for iPhone and Schell Game's Triazzle Island, which introduced totally new Triazzle and triangular puzzle concepts, and the Triazzle Board Game.
Further Evolution
“As founder and president of DaMert Company I started working with Dan and his studio in 1990. He designed and developed dozens of award-winning puzzles, games and gift products that sold millions of units creating a partnership that helped DaMert Company grow both domestically and internationally. The Triazzle line was our largest world-wide success exceeding 5 million units sold turning it into a true international classic. Dan has always been super creative, full of new ideas and has excellent packaging and product identity skills. He also certainly goes the extra mile to make sure every detail is as good as it can be.”
— Fred Damert, President, DaMert CompanyTriazzle News
And stay-tuned for some exciting news about INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION! Triazzle will soon be available from one of the world's best known toy companies throughout Europe and Asia and other parts of the world.
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