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Art Toys DIY – first step
There are many ways to create art toys, and while this series isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, it shares the approach I’ve taken in this industry.
My journey began with learning Blender. While any 3D software works, Blender stands out for being free and well-documented. That said, tools like ZBrush are often more intuitive. The learning curve was steep at first, but with persistence, I made steady progress. Within a year, I had developed enough proficiency in Blender to start crafting visually appealing designer toys.
It might sound like a straightforward path, but it was far from it. Early on, when I approached design, I didn’t consider production limitations. I often created designs that were too complex to produce, at least affordably. There were technical challenges I overlooked at the time, which only became apparent when I tried to make the art toys myself or requested quotes from factories in China.
Learning modeling is the first crucial skill you need to develop. A common mistake is trying to learn all of Blender’s features at once. While it’s a good exercise, it won’t directly help you create better toys. Of course, mastering other areas, like animation, can be useful later on—such asmaking a captivating commercial for your toy. But keep in mind, that step comes much further down the line in the process. Focus on the core skills that will directly impact your toy design first.
Now that you’ve learned to design your toys, it’s time to focus on optimizing your designs for the 3D printing phase, particularly mastering how to cut your models. While you could skip cutting and print your toy as a single piece, this often results in a miniature rather than a true art toy. Cutting and molding are crucial for scaling production if your toy becomes a success. Start experimenting with cuts and simulations to refine your skills and ensure your designs are ready for large-scale production.
With this foundational knowledge, you’re now equipped to create a well-designed art toy. In theory, you’re ready for the next step: printing. Stay tuned!
