TeXt Marks The Spot

Michael Lau is considered one of the founders of the designer vinyl movement. Two-dimensional pictures really can’t do his figures justice, since their very shape and style are what makes them so unique. Due to the lack of pictures of the SK3 (Stanley Kubrick tribute) figures online, I took my set down to an empty lot with a tagged up wall by the train tracks and shot some images. See the rest of the pictures.

This was one of my first “probing” interviews for ToyCyte. In all cultures, there are certain questions that are taboo. Asking artists about money is one of them. This interview changed my perspective on prices and also cemented ToyCyte as having a positive reputation for asking difficult questions. And Huck Gee has been a real sport with me about it ever since. Read the story.

Not to sound dopey, but this is one of those exciting things that happens due to that old magic of the Internet (still got it!). I came across a set of particularly cool customized Dunnys on Flickr and wrote a post about the figures here. The artist, Phoebe Marie, got in touch with me, mentioning that she’d done a set of customized Munnys (in the likeness of the band, Rancid). Talented, witty and punk rock: all the makings of a stellar interview. I sent her 10 questions, she sent back 10 answers and I posted the interview. A nod from a few friends on MySpace and a shout out as “Mid-Week Munny” on the ALBOTAS (A Little Bit on the Awesome Side) blog and the interview is getting tons of comments and thousands of unique visitors a day. I’m very happy to get the word out on a great artist and witness the (positive) viral power of the Web and my own words at the same time.

JoshSpear.com is a “daily source of inspiration for marketers, brand managers, advertising executives, and a wide range of everyday people from around the world who love to stay ahead of the curve.”

It’s an exciting time for toy culture. Toy designers are sought after to customize everything from sunglasses to hotels these days, and I’m helping tell the story as a contributor on toy trends. Writing for JoshSpear also gives me more room to write about music, books, memes, fashion and gadgets.

http://joshspear.com/item/kidrobot-x-the-simpsons

http://joshspear.com/item/dotdrops

http://joshspear.com/item/vivian-girls

http://joshspear.com/item/33-13-books

http://joshspear.com/item/fail-sticker

http://joshspear.com/item/resin-collective-group-toy-show