A Metallic Paper Piggy Bank That Teaches Children to Save and Give

PLANBUREAU Studio has created a metallic paper piggy bank for the Hungarian branch of Red Noses International, an organization supporting hospital clown doctors. The brief was simple but challenging: design an object for the charity shop that teaches children how to save—and how to donate—while keeping the retail price under 10 EUR and production costs low.

The result is a playful, build-it-yourself piggy bank made entirely of paper, turning a familiar object into a small lesson in value, generosity, and making.

A cost-efficient material with a high-value appearance

\After reviewing different materials, PLANBUREAU selected paper for its affordability, ease of printing, and simple logistics. It can be cut, packed, and shipped with minimal environmental and financial burden—ideal for a charity product.

But to avoid the flat, disposable feel often associated with paper objects, the team chose a metallic finish. The reflective coating gives the piggy bank a more “valuable” presence, encouraging children to treat the object—and the act of saving—with intention.

What began as a box inspired by a treasure chest evolved into something far more expressive thanks to an unexpected design collaborator: AI.

AI-assisted ideation: when ChatGPT turned the box into a pig

To explore visual directions quickly, PLANBUREAU tested AI prompts using ChatGPT. The initial request was straightforward: a money box made from metallic-effect paper, built from thick sheets that slot together into a 3D object.

ChatGPT generated a surprise twist: it interpreted the concept as a pig-shaped money box—a classic symbol of saving. The idea resonated with both the studio and Red Noses International. The pig form made the object immediately understandable for children, and its familiarity softened the rougher edges of low-cost production.

From there, PLANBUREAU refined the design manually: improving the template, adjusting fold behavior, testing slot connections, ensuring coins drop correctly, and determining an accessible way to retrieve them.

A red nose and tail: metallic paper piggy bank, connecting design to identity

Before finalizing the product, Red Noses International requested two symbolic details:a red nose and a red tail—references to the foundation’s iconic clown imagery. These small touches act as a bridge between brand identity and educational purpose.

To keep assembly feasible for children and parents, the studio opted for a square-based structure that simplifies cutting and folding. Each piggy bank arrives as a set of flat paper sheets, die-cut in a factory. At home, users pop out the pieces and follow simple steps to build the 3D form.

It's a small ritual of making that reinforces the act of saving: time invested, value created.

A playful entry point into financial awareness and generosity

The metallic paper piggy bank succeeds because it merges design clarity, material economy, and emotional resonance. It is affordable, approachable, and visually engaging—but also quietly educational.

Children learn:

• how to assemble something with care

• how saving works

• how donating fits into everyday life

PLANBUREAU’s design transforms a humble paper object into a tool for shaping habits—encouraging young people not only to save for themselves but to give to others.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a designer dedicated to translating ideas into visual rhythm. His work spans motion, 3D, and graphic design — connecting creativity, technology, and human emotion.