Mark Veksler Portfolio Site
BackDuckla - Your Tesla Plushy
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Duckla is a playfully functional accessory designed to bring a touch of warmth and personality to Tesla vehicles. Uniquely wrapping around the center display like a plush picture frame, it softens the stark, high-tech aesthetic of the screen, transforming it into a whimsical, eye-catching centerpiece. Duckla strikes a balance between Tesla’s minimalist interior design and a desire for customization and expressive flair, making it a charming addition to any Model 3 or Model Y.
Overview
The concept emerged after recognizing a gap in the Tesla aftermarket space—while plush and novelty accessories for cars are widely available, a Tesla-specific plush designed to wrap around the center display was a completely new idea.
Given the saturated market for automotive plush accessories, I initially questioned the feasibility of the idea. However, after conducting market research and narrowing the focus specifically to Tesla displays, I identified an untapped niche. Despite being designed for only two Tesla models, the total addressable market (TAM) in the U.S. alone included approximately one million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This validation reinforced the viability of Duckla, leading to prototyping, material exploration, and early-stage marketing tests.
First Prototype
Ideation & PrototypingThe prototyping process had two key objectives:
- Gauge consumer interest – Validate the appeal of a plush Tesla display cover among Tesla owners.
- Develop production-ready specifications – Ensure manufacturability while maintaining quality and design integrity.
To kickstart development, I sourced elastic fabrics and stuffed animals to construct an initial physical prototype, which I shared with Tesla owners for feedback. Their responses informed key design refinements, after which I moved on to sketching precise dimensions, refining construction details, and developing specifications for mass production.
SKU IdentificationA critical aspect of the design phase was determining the optimal number of SKUs that would maximize appeal while maintaining manufacturing efficiency. The challenge was finding the right balance between variety and simplicity.
Initially, I explored a wide range of plush character concepts before narrowing it down to three core colorways, each designed to capture a distinct aesthetic:
- Duck – Warm, bright tones for a playful, eye-catching look.
- Bunny – Soft, cool pink hues to appeal to a more pastel-inspired aesthetic.
- Black & White Cow – Designed to complement Tesla’s monochrome interior options, aligning with existing car seat colors.
Beyond aesthetic variety, size compatibility was another key consideration. Tesla displays come in three main sizes:
- Small – Model 3/Y
- Medium – Model S/X
- Large – Cybertruck
Since the Model 3 and Y represent the largest share of Tesla’s market, I prioritized small-sized prototypes with plans to expand to medium and large sizes in later production runs.
A special thank you to Kia, whose expertise in toy design and SKU minimization provided invaluable insights into streamlining manufacturing complexity while maintaining product diversity.
Manufacturer Testing & Discovery
One of the biggest unknowns in this project was learning how to navigate manufacturer relationships. This was my first time developing a physical product overseas, and finding the right partner was key.
With early guidance from Sydney at Poketti and other mentors, I built up a foundation of knowledge and selected a manufacturer based on their experience with plush toys, speed of prototyping, and flexible minimum order quantities.
Whats Next...I’m currently working with an overseas manufacturer to refine and finalize the Duckla prototype for full-scale production. With sketches and internal designs complete, we have moved into the manufacturing phase, ensuring the product is optimized for both efficiency and quality.
May 2025
I have played around with speaking to a number of Manufacturros and have been able to secure someone who was quicker to developing something to market.
April 2025
Progress - V2 Prototype has been shared from the Manufacturor / sending revisions plus edits on how to imporve this.
March 2025
Very first prototype based of my drawings with the first factory I worked with.