Merchandise & the Library Debate: What should be in & out?
- Posted: April 03, 2012 @ 6:52AM
- Category: Open Conversation
Hello all,
So we see a lot of people add things to the library that then get removed because they are merchandise. (I have done it with Sucklord toilet paper)
I know this can be confusing for people as to what they should or shouldn't add to the library. I ask that there is an open discussion here as to what is not accepted & roughly why.
::)
Quiche
*updating so Keegans list is at the top :)
Here is a short list, which I will keep updating, of thing we've traditionally removed:
- Sucklord Toilet Paper :)
- Keychains
- Zipper Pulls
- Shoes, Sneakers, Hats, T-Shirts (even hand customized/painted)
- Action Figures (no GI Joe, Transformers, WFF Figures ... toys without attached 'artists')
- Paper Toys
- USB Drives (mimobot, mugo, etc)
- Coins
- Yo-Yo's
- Jeremy Fish's Dominos
- Personal Illustrations (items that weren't ever for sale or commissioned)
- Doodled Toys (quick sketch on a munny from a con/signing)
- McDonald's Happy Meal Toys (didn't think it would be required to specify)
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13 Replies
In a lot of cases, the library items have these things in common:
a) artist: designer/art toys usually have their name on them. merchandise doesn't (or who was the guy who did the last he-man action figure?!?)
b) company: a brand that is know in working with artists. if they don't mention any names on their toys, they are probably not "art"
c) use: art toys usually don't have a function, it's there to be displayed. merch and other products, gadgets, etc. have a function … so a skateboard that is limited and supposed to hang on a wall is good, a skateboard that is not limited and used to skate is not.
at least that's how I judge items, so books, keychains, lighters etc. are something I might buy as well, but wouldn't add to the library.
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
Thank you sir ... this one I've been meaning to start for a while. I've been personally trying to curate the site a bit in a way that definitely skews heavily towards the artist, and away from 'disposable' merchandise.
Here is a short list, which I will keep updating, of thing we've traditionally removed:
- Sucklord Toilet Paper :)
- Keychains
- Zipper Pulls
- Shoes, Sneakers, Hats, T-Shirts (even hand customized/painted)
- Action Figures (no GI Joe, Transformers ... toys without attached 'artists')
- Paper Toys
- USB Drives (mimobot, mugo, etc)
- Coins
- Yo-Yo's
- Jeremy Fish's Dominos
- Personal Illustrations (items that weren't ever for sale or commissioned)
I'd personally like the site to avoid becoming a cluttered mess with every little knick-knack someone creates like Etsy, or a personal portfolio site of every sketch/photoshop illustration like DeviantArt. In the end though this is everyone's site, so I'd love to finally have a good debate about pros and cons of all. :)
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
mileszustand m I would also add the following to your list of "don'ts": stickers/sticker packs, books, dvds about 11 years ago
This perhaps extends to a seperate conversation on the state of designer toys in general but I consider this Trexi as Merchandise: Here to me it is a platform toy with an advert on it, not art (but thats just my opinion & i'm not suggesting it shouldn't be in the library) who fancies a new convo regarding this?
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
keegan a I actually see Mighty Muggs being allowed over Funko stuff because a lot of artists customize on them. The Funko figures were added en masse by someone when I was away from the site for a day or two and I ended up leaving them. :) about 11 years ago
crazylikeafox11 m Ah, I see. So would it be correct to assume that production mighty muggs/ mez-itz (stuff like that) shouldn't be entered? I kind of figured that customs of those would be fine since it's a custom toy with an actual artist. about 11 years ago
Ok I see the list you have posted here. I agree with them so far. But what about art books? Like Huck Gee, Flux,Skinner ect... They do contain work by artists.
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
crazylikeafox11 m Good point. I think Mondo also put out a book recently and Martin Hsu has a couple... But at the same time, I could see those being disallowed for being merchandise much in the same way a shirt with art from a print on it is merchandise. about 11 years ago
chelito19soccer books are a must a good coffee table book goes a long way almost 11 years ago
What are the thoughts on original plush pieces? I'm conflicted on this myself and thought I'd ask for feedback.
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
crazylikeafox11 m So then does that mean that stuff by people like steffbomb, Kat Brunnegraff, kitlane, love & a sandwich, etc. are good to enter? That's exciting. I've held back a bit on the plush entries b/c I wasn't quite sure they fit. about 11 years ago
So would something like company mascots, say Mailchimp, that are vinyl figures in different variants be allowed in the library?
I feel like it wouldn't be that much more different than bounty x hunter stuff?
But Mailchimp provides more of a service and has limited color variants of their vinyl toy mascot?
over 7 years ago · Comment ·
i have a kidrobot blind box keychain of the Heidi Kenney Yummy Dessert. Where does that fall Blind Box Keychain. Or just no keychains .
(the full size line is in the library)
over 10 years ago · Comment ·
I'm not seriously considering adding any, but I am curious if Kachina dolls or Effigies be allowed on the site? They are pretty much the ancestors of todays art toys... Of course, I consider the whole low brow art scene to be birthed from Ukiyo-e, and a continuation of its true spirit.
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
Why is Adult Swim Series 1 by kid robot allowed and Sideshow collectibles are not? I would classify them both as liscenced product merchandise not quite related to what is wanted here. If it is because they are produced by kid robot, Will I be able to add my Kozik Labbit Belt Buckle or my Ron English Belt Buckles and Pill Cases?
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
webecomemonsters v Yeah, SS is much like Hot Toys - I've no idea who owns Hot Toys as a company but I know who sculpts for them (and they are badasses) I dunno, but there are some awesome customs done with both companies' products. over 10 years ago
Easily_Amused Yes there is! over 10 years ago
I have an all white maskerade half skull mask that i was thinking about drawing or painting a picture on instead of using canvas. would this be allowed in the library?
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
As I slept last night it occured to me that maybe we should have tabs within the library that will make this function better for both the Artist/Dealer and Collector. Customs could be in there own tab creating a mini library that could be further divided by the platform they are built off of. This gives collectors a chance to observe more work based on interests and an easier search. Prints can have there own tabs to distinguish it from Art Toys and Original Art Works (Paintinings and such). Art work (Paintings and such) can have their own tab. Designer Toys can have their own Tab, which will distinguish it from customs and toys considered only commercial or collectible. You can create a tab for commercial or collectible toys that people have in their collections, but might get flagged and pulled from the current library. A tab for merchandise for the Artist and dealers to showcase without cluttering the Toy Art page. A tab for vintage toys...with great artists like the Sucklord (and other bootleggers) so inspired by them, how can you not give those ancient toy artist their due? I also think apparel should have its own tab to help artist create an income stream off of them. Where else will they get a more condensed market for their works?
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
Mister-Quiche m the library is already split into art toys, customs, prints & original art. you can easily on the library page select customs then type a platform or artist name and see all related. about 11 years ago
Easily_Amused Thanks! You know I never noticed those when I was looking through the library. Sorry about that. I was only ever on the all tab. I guess I'd reccomend adding a new tab, for recently added stuff, and creating the tabs I mentioned above that don't already exist. about 11 years ago
Easily_Amused Forgot to state the new tabs that I'm reccomending for mainly collectors and dealers/artists containing the items we've been debating should not feed into the All Tab, maybe give them an All other Tab? about 11 years ago
Where will plush toys fall on the list? Are they in or out? What about Sideshow collectibles? Who does get to make the decision? Is there some sort of appeals system if you put something in and then it gets pulled? This string has just brought up many questions in my mind...
about 11 years ago · Comment ·
mileszustand m Actually I think this could be a good point. How about a feature to flag items that should be judged by a jury of peers. This jury should be randomly composed of Mods, Artists and ultimately Blake and Keegan. :D about 11 years ago
Easily_Amused Thank you! I've been thinking about this while I slept, and am about to write another post here that might be a really good compromise between Artists and collectors and developing the Library... So check this. about 11 years ago
blake a I love the idea, but ultimately I think we need to be able to fall back on a list of things that aren't allowed. If later on we decide to amend this list, that is fine, as the site grows and matures. If we leave every questionable item up to the "jury" the standards could change, leaving "fan favorite" artists always having their items accepted, while similar artists' items are banned. about 11 years ago
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crazylikeafox11 m Customized skateboards are allowed, right? I thought they were but just looking for some clarification (before I add a few). about 11 years ago