ZBrushCentral

Selling Toy and/or Character Designs?

Community
#1

This may come across as a silly question, as well as a silly ambition :lol: But is it possible to sell 3D (or 2D for that matter) character designs to toy companies? Or even just straight character designs anywhere else?

I’ve always done sculpting/painting as a hobby. I even sell my more ‘comercialised’ types of paintings, which I consider crap, but don’t tell them that! :lol: Anyways, I’ve always wanted to make a living designing some kind of toyline.

I realise I need a body of designs to actualy demonstrate and show some skills, but I haven’t the foggiest idea where to start getting designs out to the right people.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :wink:

#2

Check for trade shows. The toy guy’s MUST have something like the siggraph or the motorboat show, the car shows… you get the point. And those shows usually sell directories of companies/exhibitors. So… within a week you could be rocking!
Lemo

#3

Angelstein,

Check me, I’ve been away for years (1998?), but I remember that THEE show to attend is the annual Toy Fair in New York. (Should be simple for a Jersey kid! :cool: )

I think it was held in February. I know it was at the Jacob Javitts Center. Although only my supers went, I understand that buyers have offices all around the Center, and see/buy entire lines on little more than a play-pattern brief and an illustration. ZBrush 2.5D presentations should be plenty good.

BTW, hucksters with a dream wander around outside, looking to snag a buyer. So, the buyers see everyone by appointment, returning your calls/email only if you can prove you are an industry pro. Getting a toy or licensing broker to work with you is a better idea.

Good luck, the field is swamped… with the big movie tie-ins, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, Todd McFarland and the like, indies have to hustle harder…

my .02- =dp

Edit: addition-
Considering lemo’s excellent post, yes, they have directories, but it would be better to join forces. My experience is that it is a pretty closed society. “Artist’s Market 2006” (at bookstores and libraries) should have some useful addresses, and join a trade association like this one:

http://www.toy-tia.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Press_Room/Publications_Resources1/Toy_Inventor_Designer_Guide/Entering_the_Marketplace/Entering_the_Marketplace.htm

Note: guess I must be remembering the awards show-- the Annual Toy Show this year is October 20-23. Better work real fast!

#4

Thanks people

It will also help me for my upcoming comics :slight_smile:

#5

This is probably more involved than what you had in mind, however… one of the few BFA programs in the US that offers a Major in Toy Design is the one at FIT in NYC (first offered over fifteen years ago). It awards a two-year degree and has a good rep in the industry. Curriculum includes an internship with some major toy manufacturer.

Dept. head is Judy Ellis. Link: Toy Design, FIT

#6

Wow, thanks for all the info fella’s :wink: Maybe I should have mentioned I’m from, and live in the UK. Not that should matter if I really want to do this line of work, but it sadly does to me. I ‘did’ live in the US for nearly 2 years, and no offence, but I detested it :cry: More to do with me than the USA to be honest. It’s just was not for me. I suppose getting anywhere without face-to-face meeting of some sort would be out of the question eh? Or I’d at least have to establish some kind of reputation.

Svengali, a Major in Toy Design eh? Only in America! :smiley: I know America has a lot more respect and appreciation for toys, and more specifically action figures. In the UK were stuck in the dark ages. Toys are for kids, end of story :cry: You lot would think nothing of a grown bloke buying a two foot high Batman figure. If you could even find one over here in the UK, you’d get plenty of s******s as you handed over your cash! There are a few specialist shops for adult/teen collectors, but it’s quite pitiful overall.

I’ve done some molding and casting on the garage kit side of things, but nothing that I ever tried to sell, yet! The castings weren’t quite saleable quality.

I think I’ll just put the idea to the back of my mind again :cry:

Thanks for the pointers anyways :wink:

EDIT: I tried to type sn!gger and got s****** instead :rolleyes:

#7

If the market isn’t well developed then I think you have a good opportunity to get into the game. Work on your casting (it takes practice, and there’s lots of good stuff to read on the internet – you can get some top notch stuff w/minimal investment in equipment). Then make sure to approach some of those specialty stores and sell to them directly.

You may not be able to make a living of it, but you’ll be your own boss and you’ll probably be happier that way anyway.

Good luck

#8

Thanks for those words of wisdom, billrobertson42 :wink:

I already sell bits and bob’s, paintings and things here and there. I’m not greedy, just enough to keep me going and off the radar if you get my meaning :cool: I should sell ‘something’ invest in some casting supplies and have another go at the garage kit thing again. Maybe it’s not toy design, but it in the general direction, sorta :wink:

The guide I used when i did have a go at casting was the one here: http://danperezstudios.com/workshop.htm It’s a really nice site, and the bloke sculpts and casts/sells his own work. I’ve learned a few different approaches to mold-making since then, so I should try those out.

I’ve started marking out lengths of steel for a new build of a ecorche anatomy sculpture. I’ll try the new techniques when i’ve finished that. I’m a like to take my time, so it’ll be 8 - 12 weeks at least. It’s also been a good while since i done any ‘real’ sculpting :confused:

I think a real world sculpture section would be great in ZBrush Central. There must be quite a few hands on sculptors in here? I know there are two or three at least. It would also be handy for folk to show off their Zbrush or other 3D design work that’s been printed out.

EDIT: Just noticed your from Ohio, Bill :smiley: That’s where I used to live! Mason, Ohio to be more precise, then Lebanon for a while.

#9

Angelstein, hi, Ive been a lurker here for a while, caught your post and feel I should add to the already great advice you’ve already received. I attended the 2005 Toy Fair in NYC and it is the place to be! Here are a couple things for you to check out:

www.myplasticheart.com
www.kidrobot.com

get involved in their forumns, show some of your work and see if you can generate some interest. There are people that will produce your line of toys if it generates interest.

www.playillustration.com

a publication from Serbin Communications, first issue was available at this years Toy Fair (a piece of mine, done for espinosastudios.com was published in the issue), its a resource (yearly publication) an avenue for artists to advertise their works to those in the Toy industry.

Hope you find this helpful, contact me if you’ve any other ???

L8

#10

You lived in Mason? No wonder you hated the US. :wink: I’ve lived overseas too, and I came to realize it wasn’t for me as well.

A really good place for casting is here.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/casting/

And a nice site for 3d -> toys is here: http://www.bntstudios.com/
(Bill B. is a member of the board, and he’s a really nice guy).

If you want to post some real world sculpting here then feel free to put it in the community forum (we’re already here?).

I’d love to see some.

#11

Angelstein,

The posts here are so open I occasionally forget this is the WORLD wide windtunnel. My post was running away so I confined my info, but there is a similarly huge show in Europe every year. (Switzerland?) It was my understanding that multi-nationals like Bandai and such went to both shows.

Have you considered that personal 3d printers are around the corner, and your mesh could become the toy itself?! >Kids! Add hyper-detail as easily as combing doll hair! Print an army of 'em! Add servo’s and go!< :lol:

=dp

#12

For that project, you should become part of this forum:
http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=42

…and maybe this group of independant publishers:
http://www.comic-con.org/ape/

Here’s a wild time:
http://www.24hourcomics.com/2006/locations.html

Google for comics conventions on your side of the mudball, and the Asian alternative to Artist’s Market.

=dp

#13

hmm posted a reply last night but it didnt show…anyway I thought I would share some information with you, hope it helps.

Definately the show to be involved in would be the Toy Fair held in NYC, I went to the 2005 show and its an unbelievable experience…get involved in the forums here:

www.myplasticheart.com and
www.kidrobot.com

If you want to advertise your work check this out:

www.playillustration.com

Couple other nice sites to check out:

www.vinylpulse.com
www.playimaginative.com

Enjoy!

#14

Wow, thanks Digitalfog! Those and info links are great, in fact I’m quite overwhelmed at the responce and help, thanks so much :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: All the other links are great, and will keep me occupied for a good while :wink:

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

That’s funny, quite a few people I worked with in Mason and the round-about area disliked it also. I did see other parts of America, but really, the way of life in the UK and America is like chalk and cheese, we really do have more in common with the rest of Europe, I feel at home there, as I’m sure you feel more at home in the US :wink:

Davinci990, yeah, digial printers really hold huge hope and potential for garage kit builders, 3d Modelers and sculptors. They ‘will’ drop in price eventually, everything does, and I’ll be first in line for one of those babies!!
I’ll try and find out about any trade shows in Europe. Hope there is one in Switzerland, as I’d love to visit the H.R. Giger museum while there :+1:

Anyways, thanks again everyone :+1: :+1: :+1: The info/links are all hugely appreciated!
I’ll dust off my camera and take a few pics of my work, and also have a ratch around my HD, see if I can find some jpg’s of my work lurking around.

#15

digitalfog,
Thanks for adding your info; it takes a village… I had completely forgotten the name, Serbin Communications! Very important detail.

Angelstein,
I found an online database of trade shows! The Swiss show looks like a hobby show, the International trade show is: SPIELWARENMESSE - Nuremberg, February 1-6, 2007.

Here’s the site:
http://www.spielwarenmesse.de/

Here’s the database: [Left-side nav panel; search keyword: toy]
http://www.eventseye.com/

Too bad it’s an alphabetical results dump with 100+ of all types and sizes.

Still, there is Birmingham :D:
http://www.springfair.com/page.cfm/link=137/GoSection=10

Good hunting!
=dp

#16

Thanks again Davinci990 :wink: So kind of you to go out of your way like that mate :smiley:

My camera is on loan unfortunately, but i dug up these old jpg’s of a fave work of mine and slapped them together. Sorry about the quality, they were taken with my old crappy webcam a long while back. This has been worked on since these pics were taken and looks a little different now.

This is the sort of toy I’d have loved as a kid! :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :stuck_out_tongue:

Britannia-mix.jpg

#17

if we use these kind of toys in India when young, our mothers will throw us out of house :0
lols;) nice t… though

Davanci thanks for the links- looked at the last page after seeing the above toy- its more attractive you know :D:D:D:D:D:D

#18

Ok guys my comic launched

Do check it out

www.yakshacomics.com