Creatures by Tobias Rockenfeld

Tobias Rockenfeld
Creatures, 2003

Creatures is a curious design project by Tobias Rockenfeld, developed in 2003, that brings discarded objects back to life through imagination, reuse, and motion. The project consists of 18 unique creatures, each assembled from dismantled, broken toys combined with everyday waste, found materials, and elements from nature.

Rather than hiding their origins, the creatures proudly display their recycled parts, turning waste into characters with personality and charm. Many of them are animated: they swim, roll, flap, blink, crawl, fly, or laugh, surprising viewers with their unexpected behaviours and mechanical inventiveness. One notable outcome of the project is Flip-Flop, a series of whimsical floating vehicles made from repurposed flip-flops, produced in 32 variations.

Creatures encourages a shift in perspective, inviting both children and adults to see discarded materials not as rubbish, but as starting points for creativity. Through humour, movement, and curiosity, the project demonstrates how design can spark imagination while gently addressing themes of sustainability, play, and the hidden potential of everyday objects.