Bibliography
Websites
Character design & illustration ref;
www.thisistoy.com
www.tado.co.uk
www.linziehunter.co.uk
www.theimaginaryworld.com (the world of Mr. toast)
www.colorblok.com
www.behance.net/clementine.com
www.thunderchunky.co.uk
www.behance.net/Maybe.com
www.exhibition.pictoplasma.com
www.hellomonsters.com
www.noradoes.com
3D product ref;
www.hellobrute.com
www.grasshutcorp.com
www.collect3d.com
www.bicplastics.com
www.lemerde.com
www.deliciousdrips.com
www.thebeastbrothers.com
www.kidrobot.com
www.strangeco.com
www.jamfactory.com
Production ref;
www.dreamlandtoyworks.com
www.jeffpidgeon.com (vinyl toy tutorial, pricing & process)
www.chlproducts.com
www.3dcreationlab.co.uk
Computer arts issues;
Vinyl fantastic
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/features/vinyl_fantastical
How to make own toy? ( link below)
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/2d__and__photoshop/cast_a_designer_toy
Blogs ref;
www.spankystokes.com
www.sugarfrostedgoodness.blogspot.com
www.superpunch.blogspot.com
www.ffffound.com
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Sunday, 22 November 2009
www.3dcreationlab.co.uk
Why use 3D Printing?
The reasons for using a 3D printer are fundamentally the same as for using other rapid prototyping technologies i.e. SLA & SLS, which is to share information, to make a one-off component, to verify your design, to make an ornament and many others. The difference being now you can afford to do so.
3D printing machines are optimised for speed, low cost and ease of use which makes them suitable for visualising designs during the conceptual stages of your design when properties such as mechanical strength is less important.
How does the process work?
3D printing works by converting a 3D digital design into thin cross sections. This information is then sent to the machine where it starts to deposit material layer by layer, thus creating a 3-Dimensional object.
What is the typical turnaround time?
This is dependant on the size of your model and our workload at the time of ordering. Typically you can expect a turnaround of 1-2 working days for our Express option and up to 7 working days before we ship with our Low Cost option. If your model is urgent then please let us know when we quote and we may be able to prioritise your model and it could take as little as 24 hours to ship
How does 3D printing compare with other rapid prototyping technologies?
3D printing technology is cheaper, faster and more accurate than SLA and SLS machines, and with the added bonus of no nasty chemicals, powders or resins to handle it is better for the environment as well.
A typical SLS machine uses a layer size of 0.15mm whereas the Objet technology uses a 0.028mm layer size (that’s about half the thickness of a human hair!) so the resulting surface finish is superior to SLA & SLS technologies.
FDM on the other hand uses a 0.25mm layer size but uses an ABS plastic material which is ideal for living hinges and click fittings. Also SLA & SLS machines can only produce parts in one colour, whereas the Z Corp machine is unique in that it can print in multiple colours on the same component.
Each 3D printing technology has its advantages and disadvantages so have a look at our materials page to determine which technology will be best for your project.
An example of an electronic protoype of a USB memory stick. This includes a slider for the USB interface to be retracted, again this has been printed as a complete assembly.
The reasons for using a 3D printer are fundamentally the same as for using other rapid prototyping technologies i.e. SLA & SLS, which is to share information, to make a one-off component, to verify your design, to make an ornament and many others. The difference being now you can afford to do so.
3D printing machines are optimised for speed, low cost and ease of use which makes them suitable for visualising designs during the conceptual stages of your design when properties such as mechanical strength is less important.
How does the process work?
3D printing works by converting a 3D digital design into thin cross sections. This information is then sent to the machine where it starts to deposit material layer by layer, thus creating a 3-Dimensional object.
What is the typical turnaround time?
This is dependant on the size of your model and our workload at the time of ordering. Typically you can expect a turnaround of 1-2 working days for our Express option and up to 7 working days before we ship with our Low Cost option. If your model is urgent then please let us know when we quote and we may be able to prioritise your model and it could take as little as 24 hours to ship
How does 3D printing compare with other rapid prototyping technologies?
3D printing technology is cheaper, faster and more accurate than SLA and SLS machines, and with the added bonus of no nasty chemicals, powders or resins to handle it is better for the environment as well.
A typical SLS machine uses a layer size of 0.15mm whereas the Objet technology uses a 0.028mm layer size (that’s about half the thickness of a human hair!) so the resulting surface finish is superior to SLA & SLS technologies.
FDM on the other hand uses a 0.25mm layer size but uses an ABS plastic material which is ideal for living hinges and click fittings. Also SLA & SLS machines can only produce parts in one colour, whereas the Z Corp machine is unique in that it can print in multiple colours on the same component.
Each 3D printing technology has its advantages and disadvantages so have a look at our materials page to determine which technology will be best for your project.
An example of an electronic protoype of a USB memory stick. This includes a slider for the USB interface to be retracted, again this has been printed as a complete assembly.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Quote for vinyl production
Thank you for your inquiry of yesterday.
May we introduce ourselve as a leading manufacturer of action figures, vinyl toys, model toys and novelty in Taiwan and China. According to our 10-year experience of manufacturing the toys for many famous companies in Japan and Europe, we have no problem to produce your order in detail and precisely.
Please find the attached images of some PVC figures and vinyl toys we have done recently together with their prototypes, this information should give you a good knowledge of our quality.
Regarding your order, please find our quotation as following.
Vinyl Figurine
Size: approximately 2 x 2 x 2 inches
Material: Non-toxic vinyl & Lead-free paint
Approval: EN-71 for USA & CE for Europe
Mould Cost: USD 1,300
(The above mould fee is also including the prototype fee. This mould fee would be charged once only no matter how many pieces you are going to purchase in the future.)
Unit Price: FOB Shenzhen, China USD 0.50 (with retail package)/ minimum order 100 pcs)
Delivery: 7 days for making the prototypes
20 days for making the mould
10 days for mass production
May we introduce ourselve as a leading manufacturer of action figures, vinyl toys, model toys and novelty in Taiwan and China. According to our 10-year experience of manufacturing the toys for many famous companies in Japan and Europe, we have no problem to produce your order in detail and precisely.
Please find the attached images of some PVC figures and vinyl toys we have done recently together with their prototypes, this information should give you a good knowledge of our quality.
Regarding your order, please find our quotation as following.
Vinyl Figurine
Size: approximately 2 x 2 x 2 inches
Material: Non-toxic vinyl & Lead-free paint
Approval: EN-71 for USA & CE for Europe
Mould Cost: USD 1,300
(The above mould fee is also including the prototype fee. This mould fee would be charged once only no matter how many pieces you are going to purchase in the future.)
Unit Price: FOB Shenzhen, China USD 0.50 (with retail package)/ minimum order 100 pcs)
Delivery: 7 days for making the prototypes
20 days for making the mould
10 days for mass production
Monday, 16 November 2009
Bwana Spoons
Bwana Spoons is a painter, and half jack of many other trades, hearts trees, moss, and monsters, makes toys, designs shoes and busts the occasional illustration, or works on an installation.
To visit the website click here!
TADO
TADO is the collaborative duo of Mike and Katie who's studio is based in Sheffield UK.
They enjoy working across a huge range of projects such as illustration, advertising, fashion and also designer toys.
It is the versatility of they work that interests me, as i wish to persue a career specialising in illustration and character design i love seeing character design across a medium of context's from 3D form to advertising.
To visit their brilliant website just click here
Hello Brute
Hello, Brute is the creative work of Jon Knox, a designer/illustrator/artist based in Portland. He was born and raised in North Carolina, and lived in Perth (Australia) for the better part of 2006. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in graphic design from the College of Design at NC State, but spent his free time screenprinting, drawing, and painting. He lived and developed his work in San Francisco in 2008, then moved to Portland where his studio is currently located.
His current work focuses on an all-boy crew who are often stuck somewhere between the best and worst moments of their lives. Jon's work has been exhibited around the globe, including solo exhibitions in Chicago and Seattle.
Click here to visit his website
One of his latest projects is a series of hand cast resin toys produced in limited editions.
The figures above were designed and sculpted by Toronto-based artist We Kill You. Each one was hand-painted by Jon Knox, and is one of a kind. Hand-cast in polyurethane resin.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Tips advice to make your own toy range
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Okay....to make your own toys you need a few things- if you can do them all yourself, great -if not you will need to put out some cash to have others come in to help you. As an aside, I could write a book on how to self publish your own comic book which is a lot cheaper than making toys, but perhaps next interview, haaa.
Anyway, the first step is DESIGN. Design your figures with good ol’ pencil and paper, and work out your designs in various poses until you’re are happy with one.
Then you basically need to draw out what we call “TURNS” an animation term for front, side and back views of a character. This is for a sculptor to see what it is you want to do. Obviously if you sculpt it yourself you wont need these but its usually always good to have a guide of what you want to do.
The next step is the sculpting. You can use various materials to do this: clay, sculptey, wax etc. whatever you are comfortable with. If you don’t know how, you will have to find a sculptor that you can work with.
Then you need to decide on color callouts and figure out the Pantone number for each of these colors.
Once you have devised a prototype you are happy with you then need to get it to a factory for costing and talk about numbers.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > How does one locate a factory?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > The factory you will use will most likely be in China but your best bet is to talk to a factory’s agent in Hong Kong. That way communication is no problem and Hong Kong has been the center of toys for so long that they will know more about putting your product together than you will.
There are a few places to start sourcing factories and all are online and in English. Point your browsers to these websites to start surfing for the best factories:
www.tdcenterprise.com
www.alibaba.com
and look to come out to Hong Kong in January for the Toy Fair:
www.hktoyfair.com
Also a good place to look for exhibitors and getting in touch via email.
[HyperChild, Action-HQ.com and Action-Figure.com does not endorse any of the companies/information found on these sites. Deal with them at your own prerogative.]
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > How would you know which factory to go with as there are so many?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > In choosing a factory the most important thing is quality. Any factory can make a product but the quality of the product is a different thing altogether. So don’t go for the cheapest price but the best quality you can for the best price you can afford.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > What about costing and quantities?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Your negotiations will take time but have the factory send you some samples so you can see their work. Most factories should be able to point you to their work that can easily be found in the U.S., U.K. and throughout Europe. Don’t expect to find the same factory that Hasbro uses for your limited edition toy. You will need to find a good, stable, medium sized company that can handle the work for you.
Once you find the factory you will need to send them your prototype for costing. This is where you need to part with your original so make sure you make at least 2 of them. Within 2 weeks of receiving your prototype you will be able to get a cost for your figures. Depending on how many you want to make will determine the cost per piece. As most rotocast figures are done under 1000 pieces and looking at the retail price of HK vinyl today you can see that the costs are quite high.
The production process takes about 6-9 weeks, wax mould, master moulds, paint masters and production moulds all come next and there is a lot of back and forth between you and the factory to get it the way you want it. So again finding a good quality factory is # 1 as this will help with any aggravations created in the road of production.
From there you get your packaging design done to fit your toy and have that artwork sent to Hong Kong so they can print and package your toys. You tell the factory how many you want to pack in each case and they will then arrange to ship back to you.
Not as easy as it sounds but extremely gratifying when you open that sealed case of figures YOU created.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > Okay, here is the most important question, how much does it take to get started if all you can do is design the product? Can you give us a cost for sculpting as I think not many of us are competent to do that and how much is it to make 1,000 rotocast vinyl figures?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Well, like anything, costs break down by quality and negotiations. Sculpting can go from anything from $1,000 to $5,000 per figure in my experience -if you want someone famous to do it, it can go up to $10,000.
And then the price per piece depending on quality and size, articulation, number of parts - wow there are so many factors that come into pricing a figure that it could range from $1-$20 per piece for 1000 pieces. One thing I have learned is that to meet price points you have to be willing to let things go from your original ideas as some things may be too costly to do.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > Thanks, that was very informative. Let's talk about the other major component which is the market. In layman terms again, I think our readers would like to know how many pieces should someone starting out make and how do they sell it?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Well, there are online shops and brick and motor shops and the toys distributors to go too. This is a big question and you should figure out who your target audience is before you begin. In Hong Kong we have a very tight knit toy community of shops and shows where toys are sold and bought, as has the rest of Asia - in the U.S. or U.K. I would gather you would find some specialty shops that would be clued in to this scene.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > Thanks again, Casey. I think the readers now have a good and basic understanding on how to start. Any last words?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Just a plug. You can check out my line of figures at www.hyperchild.ws for a look at that will be available in June 2003 and are available for pre-order now at www.action-hq.com.
----- Please check out our sponsor and contributor of this content at www.action-hq.com for special deals, giveaways and discounts on their new category of Asian Designer Toys.
Anyway, the first step is DESIGN. Design your figures with good ol’ pencil and paper, and work out your designs in various poses until you’re are happy with one.
Then you basically need to draw out what we call “TURNS” an animation term for front, side and back views of a character. This is for a sculptor to see what it is you want to do. Obviously if you sculpt it yourself you wont need these but its usually always good to have a guide of what you want to do.
The next step is the sculpting. You can use various materials to do this: clay, sculptey, wax etc. whatever you are comfortable with. If you don’t know how, you will have to find a sculptor that you can work with.
Then you need to decide on color callouts and figure out the Pantone number for each of these colors.
Once you have devised a prototype you are happy with you then need to get it to a factory for costing and talk about numbers.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > How does one locate a factory?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > The factory you will use will most likely be in China but your best bet is to talk to a factory’s agent in Hong Kong. That way communication is no problem and Hong Kong has been the center of toys for so long that they will know more about putting your product together than you will.
There are a few places to start sourcing factories and all are online and in English. Point your browsers to these websites to start surfing for the best factories:
www.tdcenterprise.com
www.alibaba.com
and look to come out to Hong Kong in January for the Toy Fair:
www.hktoyfair.com
Also a good place to look for exhibitors and getting in touch via email.
[HyperChild, Action-HQ.com and Action-Figure.com does not endorse any of the companies/information found on these sites. Deal with them at your own prerogative.]
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > How would you know which factory to go with as there are so many?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > In choosing a factory the most important thing is quality. Any factory can make a product but the quality of the product is a different thing altogether. So don’t go for the cheapest price but the best quality you can for the best price you can afford.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > What about costing and quantities?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Your negotiations will take time but have the factory send you some samples so you can see their work. Most factories should be able to point you to their work that can easily be found in the U.S., U.K. and throughout Europe. Don’t expect to find the same factory that Hasbro uses for your limited edition toy. You will need to find a good, stable, medium sized company that can handle the work for you.
Once you find the factory you will need to send them your prototype for costing. This is where you need to part with your original so make sure you make at least 2 of them. Within 2 weeks of receiving your prototype you will be able to get a cost for your figures. Depending on how many you want to make will determine the cost per piece. As most rotocast figures are done under 1000 pieces and looking at the retail price of HK vinyl today you can see that the costs are quite high.
The production process takes about 6-9 weeks, wax mould, master moulds, paint masters and production moulds all come next and there is a lot of back and forth between you and the factory to get it the way you want it. So again finding a good quality factory is # 1 as this will help with any aggravations created in the road of production.
From there you get your packaging design done to fit your toy and have that artwork sent to Hong Kong so they can print and package your toys. You tell the factory how many you want to pack in each case and they will then arrange to ship back to you.
Not as easy as it sounds but extremely gratifying when you open that sealed case of figures YOU created.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > Okay, here is the most important question, how much does it take to get started if all you can do is design the product? Can you give us a cost for sculpting as I think not many of us are competent to do that and how much is it to make 1,000 rotocast vinyl figures?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Well, like anything, costs break down by quality and negotiations. Sculpting can go from anything from $1,000 to $5,000 per figure in my experience -if you want someone famous to do it, it can go up to $10,000.
And then the price per piece depending on quality and size, articulation, number of parts - wow there are so many factors that come into pricing a figure that it could range from $1-$20 per piece for 1000 pieces. One thing I have learned is that to meet price points you have to be willing to let things go from your original ideas as some things may be too costly to do.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > Thanks, that was very informative. Let's talk about the other major component which is the market. In layman terms again, I think our readers would like to know how many pieces should someone starting out make and how do they sell it?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Well, there are online shops and brick and motor shops and the toys distributors to go too. This is a big question and you should figure out who your target audience is before you begin. In Hong Kong we have a very tight knit toy community of shops and shows where toys are sold and bought, as has the rest of Asia - in the U.S. or U.K. I would gather you would find some specialty shops that would be clued in to this scene.
John Wong [Action-HQ.com] > Thanks again, Casey. I think the readers now have a good and basic understanding on how to start. Any last words?
Casey Lau [HyperChild] > Just a plug. You can check out my line of figures at www.hyperchild.ws for a look at that will be available in June 2003 and are available for pre-order now at www.action-hq.com.
----- Please check out our sponsor and contributor of this content at www.action-hq.com for special deals, giveaways and discounts on their new category of Asian Designer Toys.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Mini-Mass Production: Starting Your Own Toy Line
Link from Delicious Drips
1. Work on multiple toys at a time that all share a similar palette or theme. For example, when DLi$h does his antique copper finish he lays down a layer of black on all the toys. Sometimes he might work on as many as ten toys at a time.
2. Working on multiple toys at one time will allow you to set them down and dry before you work on a different place. While this is helpful, make sure you go back and do a thorough check of all the toys you make ensure that you don’t miss a spot.
3. Marketing your toys: When you make entire toy lines, it actually helps brand yourself as an artist. In doing so, your art develops a more distinct direction and your work can be easily recognized. Without limiting your artistic direction, you want to show that you are continuing to grow as an artist while also giving your fans what they crave most. It’s a delicate balance.
4. Add a Personal Touch: Since you are still doing hand made art, this allows you the flexibility to do something slightly different on each toy you come out with. In our opinion, this enhances the value while making mass-production art a little bit more fun and less repetitive.
5. Buy in Bulk: This goes with everything that you’re going to use regularly including art supplies and toys. Delicious Drips will support artists that develop toy lines, so if you’re looking to do an entire set, we will support your efforts by offering a bulk discount. If we like your stuff, we may even help you market it!!
6. Pick a toy platform that is easy to paint. The Egg Qee is a good example of a toy that doesn’t have many lines, so it’s easy to lay down the paint.
7. Use a design that doesn’t take a lifetime to make. Think about what your average collector is willing to pay for your designs based on your previous work. Now take your target price minus the cost of materials and divide it by the amount of hours you spend on the piece to get your hourly rate as an artist. It’s really up to you how you value your time. For a lot of artists, they just don’t care and they just want to make the hottest toy possible, but if you’re trying to make a living off of it, time is money
Now before going out and making a 100 Do-hicky Mini Toys figures and pissing away 2 weeks of your life, try making a couple one-off designs and getting some feedback on it. When you’ve found the design that’s hot, pull the trigger and crank a bunch of them out. Mass production art is super hard work, but it can be extremely fulfilling. With enough practice, you can make it a legitimate source of income.
1. Work on multiple toys at a time that all share a similar palette or theme. For example, when DLi$h does his antique copper finish he lays down a layer of black on all the toys. Sometimes he might work on as many as ten toys at a time.
2. Working on multiple toys at one time will allow you to set them down and dry before you work on a different place. While this is helpful, make sure you go back and do a thorough check of all the toys you make ensure that you don’t miss a spot.
3. Marketing your toys: When you make entire toy lines, it actually helps brand yourself as an artist. In doing so, your art develops a more distinct direction and your work can be easily recognized. Without limiting your artistic direction, you want to show that you are continuing to grow as an artist while also giving your fans what they crave most. It’s a delicate balance.
4. Add a Personal Touch: Since you are still doing hand made art, this allows you the flexibility to do something slightly different on each toy you come out with. In our opinion, this enhances the value while making mass-production art a little bit more fun and less repetitive.
5. Buy in Bulk: This goes with everything that you’re going to use regularly including art supplies and toys. Delicious Drips will support artists that develop toy lines, so if you’re looking to do an entire set, we will support your efforts by offering a bulk discount. If we like your stuff, we may even help you market it!!
6. Pick a toy platform that is easy to paint. The Egg Qee is a good example of a toy that doesn’t have many lines, so it’s easy to lay down the paint.
7. Use a design that doesn’t take a lifetime to make. Think about what your average collector is willing to pay for your designs based on your previous work. Now take your target price minus the cost of materials and divide it by the amount of hours you spend on the piece to get your hourly rate as an artist. It’s really up to you how you value your time. For a lot of artists, they just don’t care and they just want to make the hottest toy possible, but if you’re trying to make a living off of it, time is money
Now before going out and making a 100 Do-hicky Mini Toys figures and pissing away 2 weeks of your life, try making a couple one-off designs and getting some feedback on it. When you’ve found the design that’s hot, pull the trigger and crank a bunch of them out. Mass production art is super hard work, but it can be extremely fulfilling. With enough practice, you can make it a legitimate source of income.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Damien Weighill
Big fan of Damien Weighill's work, love his editoral illustrations, use of colour and sense of humour.
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