Jigsaw puzzles are well and truly having a moment.
Once seen as a niche interest or something you do with the family when the power goes out, they’re now a good distraction while in isolation – and sales have been absolutely skyrocketing. It’s not hard to see why either. Not only are they a mindful activity that gives us a mental break, but they also offer a sense of achievement as we work towards a goal, something we all need in these strange, trying times.
While we’ve all been homebound and looking for ways to keep busy, binging Netflix and baking banana bread, one local designer has used this time to create unique, clear puzzles.
Aptly titled ‘Clear Fun’, the pieces are completely transparent with Geelong-based graphic designer Luke Outerbridge from Proxy Design revealing the aim was simply to create challenging jigsaw puzzles in a range of difficulty levels for all audiences.
“We wanted to supply households a way of entertainment to stimulate the intellectual senses by not being tied to a ‘device’s screen’,” he explains.
There are two types of the clear puzzle – the classic and the geometric – and both are available in either an easy version and a hard version.
“Our Classic Clear Puzzle is a great challenge with “easy” and “hard” versions,” Luke reveals. “The easy version lets you know which way is the face of the puzzle with a dot on the top of each piece, whereas the hard version is a completely blank puzzle apart from one logo piece.”
If you’re the kind of person that really thrives on a challenge, the Geometric clear puzzle is the one for you.
“Consisting of unique and random shapes, this puzzle channels your inner intellect to arrange the pieces in the rectangle it is meant to form. Our “easy” version of this puzzle lets you know which way is the face of the piece with a little dot on the top, whereas the hard version is a completely blank puzzle apart from 1 logo piece.”
Not only is Clear Fun providing the perfect solution to keep your hands and mind busy while in self-isolation (and providing an excellent topic of conversation for those who are running out of things to say to their ever-present roommates), but they’re also supporting local business, supporting the local economy and the employment of local people by being designed, manufactured and distributed in the Geelong region.
Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast or you’re just looking for something new to do, you’ll absolutely love Clear Fun. Plus, it doesn’t involve a screen and that’s definitely a win.
To shop the range, visit www.clearfun.com.au/
In the lead up to Father’s Day, the team at Clear Fun are personally delivering puzzles to the Geelong region for free so you can guarantee to have yours before Sunday! Simply order before Friday and enter ‘fathersday’ at the checkout.
You can even chat to the team about custom designs. Please note, the puzzles contain small pieces, so they are not recommended for small children.