The Ugly Truth About Being an Art Toy Artist: My Experience
Vložit
- čas přidán 6. 05. 2023
- Once again, another Art Fabula video!
This time I will try to explain my reasons why I don't recommend anyone to become an Art Toy Artist!
Follow me on Instagram or Twitter at @artfabulastudio or visit the website for all the latest exclusive releases: www.artfabula.com
If you want to be part of Art Fabulas VIP Community and get exclusive releases for followers, priority timed releases, extra goodies and special preorders, please, register your email here:
www.artfabula.com/vip-community
See you next week!
Music:
Chance, Luck, Errors in Nature, Fate, Destruction As a Finale av Chris Zabriskie licensieras enligt licensen Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Källa: chriszabriskie.com/reappear/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/ - Jak na to + styl
I have been sculpting and making art dolls for 20 years - I now have my own shop and my husband has left his job and works with me now - and I have hired an assistant - it can happen :) ❤
That's a very inspiring comment! I hope that this also happens to me soon!
I think more people are actually into art toys they just don't know it because they forget how much they loved toys as a child and get caught up in "adulting"
That’s why I love Art Toys so much. I can buy toys in my 40’s and still feel the same as when I was a child! Thanks for watching the video!
I agree, it's better to have a small following of people who really like your work than thousands of casual followers. It's tricky with handmade goods, you have to build slowly, after all you can only make/paint so many items. If you get too popular you'll have to outsource the manufacturing, but then they are not handmade anymore.
That's the problem. I have so many time to make so many pieces. I can't be too big without sacrifice something. Grow att a steady and not too fast pace is what Im trying to do here. I hope it works!
I see all your passion behind these words which may seem pessimistic, but I think they instead help to raise awareness of what reality can be like, so that if a person decides to face this path they know what they can face.
I agree with you. My intention is that people should take the necessary steps to ensure that the production of toys is done correctly. While it is fine to romanticize the process, when real-life situations and money are involved, it becomes essential to exercise utmost caution.
Real, true and honest insight. I'm now 5 years into my marathon, and just now, I'm starting to see sales that validate my time/money/energy investment.
Glad to hear that. It takes time and hard work, but it comes. Thanks for watching!
Your videos are super helpful and packed with info, thank you so much!
Thank you! I hope it helps you.
Love this video, your intense passion, and drive! I'm a recent industrial design grad looking to branch into the toy industry. Thanks for your honest take and sharing of process. Definitely going to be diving further into your work!
Oh, wow! Thank you for your kind words! I hope you find something useful here.
Thank you for this video. It’s enlightening to see the honest truth that will kick me in the head. Like yourself, I have a day job as well, and kickstart a small designer art toy. Knowingly that this small journey will need a heavy funding..from time in conceptualising your idea to the production phase.
I’m happy that I can share the same experience such as yourself, to understand the industry is not an easy path.
Thank you for watching the video and for understanding the message. I don’t want to discourage people to produce toys, but I want them to be conscious about the cost and dangers of not thinking about everything on advance. A real Sofubi production can cost a few million yen and can risk all the economy if done wrong.
Art toy industry is ruthless. You can spend thousands on designing, manufacturing and sell like 3 toys.
My life 🤣🤣
I really love your video and your explaination ❤ Thank you very much
Thanks for your kind words!
Absolutely Best Recommendation
Not for the ones that want to believe they can
But for the Wise Artist
We think we can go out
Probably travel to the main city and make our dream become reality
Nothing far from the true
You know what your saying
And l lived to understand it
Sad but real
GREAT VIDEO ADVICE
can save a lot of sadness “
🤜⚡️🤛
And on every type of Art
I just hear last night..
On every field”
Thanks! Yes, I want people to make toys, but I want them to be responsible and understand the risks too.
@@artfabula and I deeply appreciate your words “
Great video once again. As you rightfully said, this is not a sprint, this is a marathon. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to get my hands on Geckogon 🙌
Thank you! Today is very easy to do Art Toys and to create great things, but it takes more than just great ideas to survive in the Art Toy world. Hard Work and a bit of luck is what we need! Can't wit to see the Geckogon in your collection! Soon!
@@artfabula Hard work, a little bit of luck, a lot of talent... But also perseverance and passion. Key elements to last in such an activity. I wish you all the success you deserve!
$. Imo, if an artist wants success and longevity in the Art Toy industry your toys needs to invoke an emotional connection with anyone who views it. Not after they learn about your art but as soon as they see it they should feel a connection...or extension of themselves. I feel like this is the main thing that has made someone like KAWS's art so popular. If you focus on that first, decide on what human connection you want to make between your art and your audience then it becomes less of a toy and more of an art piece. Less about paying for a novelty and more about self expression or saying something with your art that the collector couldn't have said better with words. The value of these things often aren't found in the materials themselves. I think of it as being as much as a personal statement as fashion. If someone has your art displayed in their home...what does this say about them?
Thank you for your point of view.
You nailed it. KAWS brought me into this world for exactly this reason.
I'm glad that more youtubers are dishing out the cold-hard truth these days.. keep it up!
I hope more people show the reality instead of the fantasy world that many CZcamsrs show in their channels. People need to see the cruel reality and make a choice by themselves.
@@artfabula Exactly. There are way too many grifters who only do it to get monatized, instead of actually helping others..
I'm planning on giving realistic points/reviews aswell, but im scared of coming across as a negative Nancy lol
i'm quite skeptical by default and noticed that viewers have the tendancy to nitpick on everything your saying.. Even when your points are valid :)
@@edmundsgn111 Do it! And don´t be afraid to express your opinion if you know what you are talking about. I also get a few negative comments here and there, but I wonder how many people are in my exact situation or have experienced what I have experienced. Show me what you have done and I will listen to you. I have no problem admitting it if an experienced person tells me I am wrong, not a random person from his/her sofa.
Thank you for making this
Thank you for watching this! :)
I love your passion for your craft and respect you taking a realistic outlook on the finances too. I've honestly never heard of 'art toys' before but I was recommended this video because I've been watching a lot of other videos about sculpting with clay. I'm thinking of learning sculpting to make small figures and decorative items like cute ornaments and keychains etc. Is this at all similar to making art toys or the target market for art toys?
No, if you can get the production to a smaller scale. With Art Toys you will need to our a lot of money on the front. With small figurines and keychains, you can sculpt it yourself and maybe use silicone modes to make the production at home. Or maybe use a 3D printer? The market and customers are different, I think.
@@artfabula Thanks for the reply : ) it seems like what I want to do may be a bit easier than art toys, they definitely seem more complex and demanding. It's a very interesting topic though so even though I don't plan to make any, I'm really enjoying your videos!
It seems a little bit easier, if we talk in production-terms. But I'm completely sure that is a fun as Art Toys! Put your passion on it!
Su idea y experiencia de vivir del arte es 1 cosa ...no hagas caso si ves este video es todo lo que los mediocres te van decir...si ya eres artista seguro t debes haber topado con este tipo de mensajes. Cuando empiezas un proyecto debes tener otra ocupacion en paralelo...pero en todo ambito, no solo el del arte...no hagas caso a estos mensajes deprimentes
No te preocupes. Si este mensaje llega a la persona adecuada y le ayuda me doy por satisfecho. El resto puede gastar su dinero cómo y donde quiera, pero que luego digan que no avisé.
Lamentablemente este video llega a mis ojos 10 años y 5 meses tarde hehehehe.
Muy buenos videos los que haz creado 👍
Por lo menos le ahorro penas a los nuevos durante los próximos 10 años! Gracias!
Gotta know how to advertise and how to relate to your target audience bro..its only a struggle if you let it become one...shouldn't recommend to others they shouldn't do it..everyone experiences different things at different points...its up to the individual 😉
Haha, and then here you are, commenting in one of my most visited and commented videos on my channel… and one of the videos that gives better value to the audience.
@@artfabulawtf
Great video. I'm been collecting Marusan 350 and that figure you are holding looks like it will fit with my collection .Where can I purchase it?
Do you mean the one I'm holding in my hands in the miniature picture? That's my own creation Geckogon. It sells here and there on my own website or on my Instagram account ( @artfabulastudio) with a few color variations.
Damn I don't have Instagram or Facebook I stay away from must social media
Go to the website and join the newsletter (VIP-Community). You will get an email each time Input something out there!
I am loving 3D printing and now with Nomad Sculpt I am finally starting to create my own models. I just discovered this Art Toy thing and thought : Hey maybe this is the thing that will finally make me richer than Elon Musk but I saw your video and you completely destroyed my expectations LOL Good to have the feet back on the ground and lower my expectations to underground level. LOL
Oh. Thanks? Not sure what to say more than I hope you do this because you like it. Elon Musk's level of richness can wait...
I left a lot of things to do this project, I would like to watch this video before. Anyway I did it, and I hope get better :v, if that happens I should notice you to colaborate uwu
Espero que no haya sido una situación desagradable y que todo haya salido bien. Siempre se pueden corregir los pasos que se dan, así que no todo está perdido. Suerte y a tirar adelante!
You are doing sales wrong, you should sell on a 'pre order' system, so that you never have to suffer through the "i payed for x amount of figures, but I didnt see the money back until after 3 years"
And how do you know I’m not doing preorders? It’s the way I’ve been doing it since the beginning…
ok my bad then, but you said on the video that you have not been able to get the money back after producing the figures, which, if you have been doing pre orders only, it doesnt make sense. @@artfabula
These toys are not resin and are not made after order. You need to produce them in Japan in big quantities. You can't release these toys as a preorder without producing them first. This is not how this Sofubi world works.
I see, Im learning a lot then. : )
Question, why does it need to be sofubi? Why not just release them in high quality resin instead? @@artfabula
But isn't Mighty Jaxx art toys? I thought they were extremely popular?
They are! I love them! But if you want to succeed like them then you have to create a real business with incredible financial stability and a big team with multiple partners internationally. It’s not impossible but… how many Mighty Jaxx are out there?
Debby downer
I Don't think its hard to sell your Art as an Artist, you just need to know how to think and plan as a Business man as WELL as being an Artist. you need to know how and where to market yourself. what sells, what doesn't sell. ect.
I want to hear more…
Well, you just outlined the VERY thing that makes it difficult to market your art.
The other perspective is art toys is a “young” industry with a wealth of potential growth.
Well… it has more than 25 years of industry. I would say that it's evolving.
This is an extremely pessimistic video, just because you were unable to succeed in the toy industry doesn't mean you should stray other artists and designers away from starting. There's literally a ~$300 resin printer behind you, and you're talking about spending thousands to get started, completely bizarre. I had one look at your socials, and there is no brand behind your work, subpar photography and (subjectively) strange looking toys, you need to understand your target audience and brand building, only then will you succeed on social media.
Thanks for your comment. And thanks for knowing so much about me and my business. Now, please, rewatch my video.
For someone that has done nothing but gaming videos and zero experience in this field. You should not criticize.
Excellent advice.
Thanks!
This video is true like most art if u not in it for the long haul and can't support yourself dont do it. We all dream of living off our work but it takes time. Trust me i know lol
That is the right way to do it.
Actually your pessimism is usefull if you know how to use it. It seems that you are not on sales channels. What about Etsy, Amazon and other marketplaces?
I'm not on these channels. This is one of the things I have prepared for 2024. And my pessimism is just a way to level the enthusiasm of the new artists, so the do the things so they don't need to sell their houses in the first months.
Indeed, after watching the video, I had 2 emotions at the same time. First, I questioned why you were discouraging people. But soon, when I switch to the realistic side, even if they are truly the best figures in the world for us, the rest of the world will not know about them, and even a very large part of them will not want to buy them. This is a situation that needs to be addressed in all its aspects, and they call it "business" anyway. Design, production, marketing, sales, logistics. Sorry for the long response, but your video had a very positive impact on me.@@artfabula
I'm happy to hear that this video resonates with you. I could make a video selling this Art Toy world as the best thing in the world and that you could make millions with it (that's how social media and CZcams work) but I would be lying. This Art Toy thing, as with all in this world, takes effort and time. As I usually say, this is not a spring but a marathon.
@@artfabula You may consider finding some partner/s to sell your products I think. You might not be the business person as I am :)
Yeah, that could be the next step.
No me importa. Lo único que deseo es el poder de hacer algo hermoso y bello; la aprobación del mundo fuera de mi craneo es irrelevante.
Ya conoces los riesgos. Ahora está en tu mano. Adelante pues, si es lo que quieres.