Art Toys Overview

Art toys, also referred to as "designer toys," are toys and collectibles that are either self-produced or manufactured by small, independent toy companies. These toys are typically created by artists and designers and are often produced in very limited editions. Artists employ a diverse array of materials, including ABS plastic, vinyl, wood, metal, latex, plush, and resin. The creators of these toys often possess backgrounds in graphic design, illustration, or fine art; however, a considerable number of highly skilled toy artists have acquired their expertise through self-directed learning. The earliest examples of art toys emerged in the 1990s in Hong Kong and Japan. By the early 2000s, the majority of art toys were based upon characters created by popular Lowbrow artists, thereby linking the two movements.

In his book Vinyl Will Kill!, illustrator Jeremyville, based in Sydney, asserts that the cultural phenomenon of designer toys originated when Hong Kong-based artist Michael Lau exhibited his customized G.I. Joe figures at a local toy show. He had reworked them "into urban hip-hop characters, wearing cool streetwear labels and accessories." Initially known as "urban vinyl," the term "designer toys" was subsequently adopted.

A case in point among designer toys is the Qee series, produced in Hong Kong by Toy2R. The standard height of a Qee figure is 2 inches; however, figures measuring 8 inches and 16 inches are also produced. The Qee series exhibits considerable variation in design, typically featuring a similar basic body type, but with head sculpts that may be of a bear, a cat, a dog, a monkey, or a rabbit. Variations of the Qee include the Toyer, which features a skull-like head; the Knuckle Bear, an anthropomorphized bear designed by Japanese character designer Touma and bearing resemblance to graffiti art; and the Qee Egg, a bird's egg with appendages. Blank Qees are manufactured in two standard sizes: 2" and 8". These figures may be crafted from any Qee sculpt, but are packaged unpainted, as are the DIY pieces. Each piece is designed by an artist and is imbued with a distinct aesthetic theme. Each 2" figure is provided with an optional keychain attachment.

An additional example of designer toys is the Dunny series, produced by the American company Kidrobot. One might consider Dunny figures to be the Western equivalent of the Chinese Qee and the Japanese Bearbrick. The Dunny series comprises figures that resemble anthropomorphized rabbits in a cartoon style. This design originated in graffiti, stencil, and comic art and is produced in three sizes: 3", 8", and 20". A variant of the Dunny figure, designated as a "Munny," exhibits a simian likeness and is exclusively available in an unpainted, do-it-yourself format. Notable creators of designer toys include Hong Kong-based Michael Lau, who is credited with establishing the Urban Vinyl movement, and Devilrobots, a Japanese design team comprising five individuals. They are known for their television character, TO-FU Oyako. Additionally, Carlos and Ernesto East, a pair of Mexican artists, have made significant contributions to the field. Notable examples include the Beast Brothers, renowned for their incorporation of Día de Muertos and Aztec motifs; Frank Kozik's Mongers series and Labbit character, which draws inspiration from Mexican culture; and James Jarvis's diverse cast of characters, presented as vinyl figures in varying sizes.

The majority of vinyl toys are manufactured in Chinese factories. However, some designers have relocated production to Japan, where superior quality materials, such as transparent vinyl, are utilized. It is uncommon for designer toys to be produced in the United States due to environmental limitations on vinyl manufacturing. Nevertheless, there are exceptions, such as resin and plush toys.

Urban Vinyl

Urban vinyl is a category of designer toy, particularly associated with action figures crafted from vinyl. Although the term is sometimes employed in lieu of "designer toy," it is more accurately used as a modifier. Not all "designer toys" can be considered "urban vinyl," while "urban vinyl" figures are necessarily "designer toys" by virtue of their production process. Similar to other designer toys, urban vinyl figures are distinguished by their original designs, limited production runs, and marketing to collectors, primarily adults.

The defining characteristic of urban designer toys is the subject matter, which sets them apart from other types of designer or art toys. The term "urban vinyl" is used to describe any product that deals with graffiti, hip-hop, rap, or other subjects that are typically associated with an urban environment.

The urban vinyl trend was first initiated by artists Eric So and Michael Lau, who created the first urban vinyl figures in Hong Kong in the late 1990s. Notable early contributors to the field of designer toys include New York-based artist Ron English. Other creators of urban vinyl figures include Japanese artist and designer Takashi Murakami, whose work has been exhibited in the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Australian designer Nathan Jurevicius's Scarygirl, based on characters from his comic of the same name, was produced in conjunction with Hong Kong company Flyingcat. Another notable figure is former graffiti artist KAWS.

The majority of urban vinyl figures are designed by illustrators, graffiti artists, musicians, and DJs hailing from urban areas in Asia (particularly Japan and Hong Kong), North America (especially the United States), and Europe.

An offshoot of hip hop and youth-oriented popular culture, urban vinyl often depicts real-life figures from Asian and American culture, particularly artists who perform in a hip-hop or related styles. Two illustrative examples are Lau's depiction of the LMF rappers from Hong Kong and figures based on the members of the virtual electronic band Gorillaz, produced by Jamie Hewlett and manufactured by Kidrobot.

The term "urban vinyl" is often used to refer to two distinct categories: Eastern Vinyl, which encompasses items designed and produced in Asia or Australia, and Western Vinyl, which includes pieces designed and produced in North America, South America, or Europe. These figures have gained a significant following and are now considered collectible items, with rare pieces commanding high prices, often reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Resin Toys

Some artists utilize synthetic resin materials and resin casting techniques to create their toys. Following the casting process, the resin toy is subject to further modifications, with some surface areas undergoing a secondary casting process. The toy can be finished using automotive paint applied via aerosol, and in some cases, a varnished layer is applied over the painted surface.

The process of creating resin toys is more labor-intensive and time-consuming than the production of industrialized vinyl toys, which are typically manufactured in identical, large quantities. However, resin casting enables artists to produce toys in limited quantities. Most vinyl factories only manufacture toys in large series. Resin toys have emerged as a means for less established artists to create toys without the significant financial investment required for vinyl toys. Unlike most vinyl toys, resin toys are typically sculpted, cast, and painted by a single artist, as illustrated in the book "We are indie Toys" by HarperCollins.

Designer Plushies

Designer plush, a subcategory of designer toys, are soft, stuffed dolls created in limited quantities by artists and designers. Typical designs include anthropomorphic animals or fantastical human-like figures; however, designer plush dolls frequently exhibit entirely distinctive character designs. Designer plush dolls are typically endowed with names and personas, with their distinctive personalities elucidated on their tags or in booklets included in their packaging.

One notable producer of designer plush is Friends With You, a commercial art and design collective headquartered in Miami, Florida. The aesthetic of their work is characterised by a combination of cuteness and the bizarre, and the pieces exhibit a quality that is both handmade and machine-made. In addition to their plush dolls, Friends With You also create modular wooden toys and motion graphics for companies such as Sony, MTV, Nike, and Columbia Records.

An additional category of designer plush is the Uglydolls line, which was developed by independent toy designers David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim under the Pretty Ugly label. The inaugural products were 12-inch plush dolls based on drawings by David Horvath and handmade by Sun-Min Kim. Additionally, Pretty Ugly has produced 7" versions of their character designs, termed "Little Uglys," 24" versions, designated as "Giant Uglys," 4" miniatures intended for use as keychains, and, as a departure from the plush medium, 7" "Vinyl Uglys." Ugly Dolls have been featured in motion pictures, such as "Zarthura," and in major specialty stores.