It might be a “kid’s app” but it’s entertained the hell out of me for the past couple weeks. It’s “Toca Tailor Fairy Tales” by Toca Boca. This app is the free version of a $2.99 app called Toca Tailor, and it’s essentially digital paper dolls. I’m a huge fan of this kind of thing, I love dressing up my Xbox LIVE avatar and customizing game characters, but Toca Tailor goes beyond playing dress-up.
The design is the first thing this app has going for it. The “dolls” and clothes are super cute (I really love the little mushroom hat) and there’s a playfulness that runs through the whole app. I have it on my iPad and it looks and sounds magical. I also love how the clothes are gender neutral (unlike some dress up games, I’m looking at you, Xbox LIVE), because boys can wear skirts too! The second best thing about Fairy Tales is the flawless UI. There’s no delay, drags or snags and it’s incredibly intuitive.
The absolute best thing about this app and what makes it the App of the Week, is its ability to interact with your photos. This happens in two ways:
- First, you can create clothing for your doll using ANY photo you have saved on your device OR you can take a photo in real time and use it as the fabric for the clothing. You can make your cat’s fur into a sweater – the creative possibilities are really endless.
- Then, once you’ve created your doll, you can take a photo of the doll in whatever real-world setting you want! Press a button and the doll become superimposed on your device’s camera, making for fun interaction with kids (or adults).
Toca Boca may have had kids in mind when they created Toca Tailor, but they must have known artists and designers of all ages would fall in love with it, too.
It’s a free app for iPhone and iPad.
Listen to the segment via the audio player below.
(Editor’s Note: Here are more of Emily’s creations; Click any image for gallery.)
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- The dolls can be anywhere, even your bathtub
