5 minute read
Special Feature - Ravensburger
On your marks, get set...puzzle!
The sport of Speed Puzzling is taking the nation by storm, pitting puzzle fans against one another in competitive tournaments to find out who has the fastest fingers. Rachael Simpson-Jones caught up with Ravensburger’s Katy Fletcher, head of Marketing and Product Development, and Anneka Thompson, founder of the UK Jigsaw Puzzle Association, to find out more.
Katy, first up - how has Ravensburger become involved in the world of Speed Puzzling?
KF: Ravensburger has sponsored the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship, organised by the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation for a number of years and it’s steadily grown in popularity all across the world. In the last couple of years, we’ve been approached by several organisations, as well as individuals, looking to start their own competitions at all levels. In 2024, the UK Jigsaw Puzzle Association (UKJPA) was formed. We’ve formed a close partnership with it, supporting grassroots events by providing sponsorship and custom puzzles. When we were asked last year us to sponsor the inaugural United Kingdom Jigsaw Puzzle National Championship, we were delighted. This event, plus all the other global Speed Puzzling events, feeds into the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship which takes place in Valladolid, Spain, every September.
Our sponsorship deal has seen us create two top-secret puzzles exclusively for the United Kingdom Jigsaw Puzzle National Championship: one for the Singles competition and one for the Pairs. The first anyone will see of them is when they turn the boxes over on the day. We’re also providing the cash prizes and will have a retail presence too.
And what are the perks of sponsoring event like this?
KF: We’re keen to be a part of the growing puzzling community in myriad forms, event sponsorship being just one of them. Ravensburger puzzles are known for their quality, which becomes crucial when assembling a puzzle at speed, so our name comes up a lot on social media when people ask which brands to go for. We also publish a 16-page magazine twice a year called Positively Puzzling, in which we highlight our new launches, interview designers and speak to real consumers. By adopting a multi-faceted approach, we can connect with our consumers, learn from them and show them Ravensburger is committed to making their puzzling journey as joyful as possible.
Anneka, what does it mean for the UKJPA to have the support and sponsorship of a company such as Ravensburger?
AT: The support from Ravensburger is invaluable, allowing us to put on a number of high-quality events in line with World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation standards. Having strong backing from such a high-quality brand will allow the UKJPA to establish the competitive jigsaw scene in the UK and lets competitors know that events will be both well run and enjoyable.
When it comes to the average puzzle fan, what are the main needs and wants –imagery, quality, brand licences, trusted manufacturers? Something else?
AT: Preferred puzzle styles vary widely from person to person. No one wants an impossible puzzle - most want to finish within the time limit! Some people prefer gradients or geometric illustrations. Others prefer distinct coloured areas and details that provide a fast solve. Many puzzlers find fur and flowers a challenge in competition.
Most puzzlers would agree that quality is very important. Puzzle pieces made without precision, that can therefore fit in several different places, are much more of a problem than a challenging image. This is the main reason why competition organisers will veer towards well known, quality brands such as Ravensburger.
Katy, what does Ravensburger’s new Speedy Puzzle range bring to the table?
As the market leading puzzle supplier, we’re always looking for new ways to engage puzzle fans. Our Speedy Puzzle range, which includes a Disney Stitch and Pokémon edition, brings the excitement and competitive element of the pastime to the playroom. A lot of people took up Speed Puzzling in lockdown to pass the time, while others find it a great way to connect and bond as a couple or family. The most serious Speed Puzzlers - the ones who compete - will spend hours researching possible imagery ahead of their next event. In our most recent issue of Positively Puzzling magazine, we featured a young fan who loves Speed Puzzling as well as an older lady who prefers to take things slow. Despite their obvious differences, both highlighted that their chosen way of enjoying puzzles offered mindfulness and relaxation, the same way completing a puzzle always has.
What else is Ravensburger introducing to the puzzles category this year?
KF: We’re launching adult puzzles with lower piece counts: 100-, 200- and 300-pieces. Funnily enough, these went down really well at the Puzzle Championship Leonberg 2024, which we also sponsor, because they offer a quick way to practise. But they’re also perfect for younger puzzlers, older puzzlers, time-poor puzzlers and everyone in-between. Accessibility is important to us, so we also produce puzzles with larger pieces that are easier to grasp. For autumn/winter we’re launching 100- and 200-piece puzzles that come with large pieces and a tray to complete the scene in. This will be ideal for puzzlers with limited mobility or coordination challenges.
Finally Anneka, how accessible are Speed Puzzling championships? Can anyone have a go?
AT: Absolutely. The community is very open, friendly and welcoming and we love first time competitors. Although we will usually identify a finishing order, the competition is more about puzzler versus puzzle. We support everyone in completing this task. With a little practice, it’s possible to improve your times very rapidly and we provide online competitions for anyone feeling anxious about attending a first in-person event. I would advise anyone considering competing to sign up and come along. Most people get hooked and keep returning year after year.
