Froggy
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Welcome to the world of Froggy!
Superheroes leading double lives
There are very few creatures that feel just as much at home on land as they do in the water. We call these types of animal amphibians, which roughly translates as “double life”, and frogs and toads are both types of amphibian. Frogs as we know them today have been around for about 130 million years, making them one of the world’s oldest species – so old, in fact, that they were already well established when the dinosaurs walked the Earth. Throughout the ages, frogs have learned to adapt to the constant changes in the environment and have become quite flexible in facing the various challenges nature throws at them.
Frogs have seen so many significant changes to their natural habitat over time that they are now considered to be one of our planet’s most adaptable and changeable species. We can also learn a lot about the current state of the environment by studying frogs, as they are very sensitive to even the slightest alterations in the climate. In short, there is a reason why frogs have come to symbolise wealth, healing, prosperity and happiness in certain cultures and communities around the world.
Given all these abilities, the frog – or Froggy, as we know him – was the perfect fit for VP Bank. After all, frogs are always poised to take the next leap forwards, gaining perspective and seeing the world in a new light each time – exactly what VP Bank has been doing for more than 60 years.
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The evolution of Froggy
How do you go about designing a VP Bank froggy bank? Come with us on a journey of discovery, from the initial idea to Froggy, the finished article!
Idea and design
It all starts with a rough idea of what Froggy the froggy bank might look like. Then our illustrator, Katja Schädler, gets to work and starts drawing Froggy in his many possible forms, churning out design after design. Our froggy bank only exists as a rough sketch at this stage, and many different versions of Froggy are created – even a whole family of frogs.
Katja then picks her favourite ideas and sits down with her colleagues to select the most attractive amphibian or funniest frog of all. Eventually, they settle on Froggy and start to develop him in more detail. There are various criteria to consider at this stage, including how big the froggy bank needs to be, what colour looks best, which materials to use and even how Froggy should feel. After all, Froggy needs to look cheerful and cute, but he should also be able to withstand the odd accidental leap from a bookshelf onto the floor. The team considers all these factors before selecting the right manufacturer to bring Froggy to life.
Manufacture and production
Once Katja has sketched out the final version of the froggy bank, a series of discussions are held with the manufacturer to sort out the various stages of the production process.
First, the modeller gets to work. Using Katja’s sketches, he designs and shapes the froggy bank with various tools and even his hands to give Froggy his unmistakable appearance. Froggy is not symmetrical; he is modelled on various sketches, which gives him a more natural look and a personality all of his own.
There is still plenty of scope for making changes to Froggy’s look at this stage. For example, in consultation with the designer, Katja, and the modeller, small pockmarks and warts are added to Froggy’s head and back, making him look more alive and realistic.
Once the model is ready, the first prototype can be produced. The model is then used to make a mould that’s a perfect Froggy fit. Vinyl is chosen as the production material so Froggy can be hollow and used as a money box. The vinyl is poured into the Froggy mould using a rotational moulding process, very similar to the way chocolate Easter bunnies are made. Once the froggy banks have been moulded, they are painted with a special paint before the finishing touches are applied. Finally, Froggy is fitted with a cap and a lock to make it easy to access the money saved inside.
Froggy and his predecessors
Making Froggy: the guiding principles
We took various factors into account while developing VP Bank’s new froggy bank, using them as guiding principles in the production process:
Durability
A froggy bank has to be tough. It’s not just about being a secure place to put money away; for safety reasons, the material must also be able to withstand odd knocks and the occasional fall.
Malleability
Froggy has a distinctive shape that can only be reproduced in vinyl using rotational moulding.
Repairs
Just because the lock on your froggy bank breaks or the key goes missing, that shouldn’t mean your Froggy is beyond repair (or stop you accessing your savings inside). Clients can contact VP Bank in such cases to request a new key or even a replacement for a broken lock. (Add e-mail address)
Recycling of waste materials
Wherever possible, any waste materials generated during the manufacturing process are put to other uses. For example, some are shredded and reused to make handlebar grips for bicycles.
Short transport routes
The VP Bank froggy bank and its main components are produced in the Stuttgart area of southern Germany. The company chosen to make Froggy is one of the few remaining manufacturers of traditional money boxes in Europe.
On behalf of everyone at VP Bank – and Froggy, of course – we hope you have lots of fun saving and making your wishes come true!