Nice Paper Toys
why do you like paper things
So I was in an existential quandary about paper toys and things made from paper. Thinking about the reasons we enjoy them, where they have been and where they are going. what opportunities in design we are exploiting and what we are missing.
I thought of some core areas that I could focus on and get better at.
The aesthetic of final form.
This is what everyone is seeking, getting the end result of the kit to look nice. This involves the physical form of the model and the images applied to it's surface.
The aesthetic of the flat form
This is the presentation of the model before completion, the thought put into how the kit looks when it's flat on a page. an example of this are the bugs i made for Big Big Battles. while they are 3D models i had to design them to make since in flat form because they needed to be easily understood for commom players to color them in, i used thick line work found in coloring books to express the forms on the page.
The aesthetic of construction.
This is a far more nebulous subject, but it deals with how enjoyable a kit is to construct. can the actual motions of the paper during construction contribute to the enjoyment of the final piece? should you make a kit require glue? or require a razor to cut out(the usual glue trade off) or do i just need to take a nap?
I thought of some core areas that I could focus on and get better at.
The aesthetic of final form.
This is what everyone is seeking, getting the end result of the kit to look nice. This involves the physical form of the model and the images applied to it's surface.
The aesthetic of the flat form
This is the presentation of the model before completion, the thought put into how the kit looks when it's flat on a page. an example of this are the bugs i made for Big Big Battles. while they are 3D models i had to design them to make since in flat form because they needed to be easily understood for commom players to color them in, i used thick line work found in coloring books to express the forms on the page.
The aesthetic of construction.
This is a far more nebulous subject, but it deals with how enjoyable a kit is to construct. can the actual motions of the paper during construction contribute to the enjoyment of the final piece? should you make a kit require glue? or require a razor to cut out(the usual glue trade off) or do i just need to take a nap?
JC-one
it makes you acknowledge the creative juices that continue to flow and work at a certain pase.
you have the freedom to do what "you as the artist" wants, but to enjoy your creation.
everyone wants somethng new, and I feel, being a toy creator....everyone gets something new accordingly, and everyone worldwide "internationally" see's the same difference....and loves it....and that's what it is truly all about....LOVE!
Sep 30, 2008
craig552uk
I think that the flat print of the model presents quite a valuable space between the components. It's an area for presenting something about the model, something more than the final construction. It could just be used for assembly instructions and your website address. Or you can use it to develop a background for your character. It's like the packaging for your model, think of all the stuff that's printed on packaging for toys.
However, I've designed several models, but i'm still yet to publish any online. So perhaps my obsessive nature may run counter to actually producing paper toys!
Sep 30, 2008
Miu
Oct 1, 2008