Hey, guys! In this episode, I am chatting with Gary Ham, an illustrator, designer, and producer of handmade wooden toys. He is the owner of Superham Designs and a winner of multiple Designer Toy Awards!
Get in touch with Gary
- Website: http://www.superham.com/about/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gary.ham.5
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyham/
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Key Takeaways
“Just have fun! Practice, practice, practice to get better and explore to grow!”
- Gary’s best advice from his parents was not to be afraid to jump on something, even if you don’t know how to do it. You can always learn on the go. They would encourage him to join newspaper contests, bIllboard contests, etc.
- Gary loves toys, he is a collector. He has been collecting toys since childhood. Toys aesthetics appeal to him
- Gary describes his brand as a very cute based, retro, vintage, very cartoony, using simple shapes, whimsical, cute fun!
- Designer toys is a very niche market, Gary says, and you need to develop fan base who is interested in it. Design toys are limited edition industry and it doesn’t move a lot of units
- Gary advises, if you want to start, you need to learn to make toys, e.g. manufacturing design, industrial techniques, the molding process. You need to do a lot of research and experimentation.
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Resources mentioned
- Gary’s podcast – Marsham Toy Hour
- Designer toys blogs
- Books
- Ed Emberley drawing books – how to break down form in simple shapes
- Shane Glines’ books
- Preston Blair animation books,
- The Art of Disney book
- Art tools: Wacom Cintiq
- Conventions
Special thanks to Gary for joining me today. See you next time!
All artworks by Gary Ham, used with permission
