DCTO - Emperor's Yellow

CHOCOLATE SOOP is proud to introduce its collectible vinyl art figure designed by Dacosta Bayley based on the ancient Japanese legend of Daruma, a 5th century monk and the founder of Zen Buddhism. DCTO: Jibun Project (Dreams Come True Object: My Project ) is a modern interpretation of an ancient Japanese Zen doll known as a Daruma doll. This curiously limbless, traditionally red-cloaked figure with unpainted eyes is used for personal dedication to a new venture such as starting a business, beginning a new path in life, or given as a gift for celebrations like New Years, weddings and birthdays. Painting in DCTO’s left eye shows commitment to a goal; once the goal is achieved, you then paint in DCTO’s right eye. DCTO (‘dik-toe’) is designed to right itself when it is knocked over, reflecting the Japanese saying, ‘Nanakorobi yaoki’, "Fall 7 times, rise 8 times”. This reminds us that no matter the number of times we may stumble, those with a persistent heart will rise again to achieve their goals, symbolizing relentless dedication and an undaunted spirit. In a modern, fast-paced world that is becoming increasingly virtual and complex, the DCTO: Jibun Project is a simple, tangible focus point on which to Dacosta is a self-taught, multifaceted illustrator and award winning designer and has been creating professionally for the past 17 years, and under the banner of Chocolate Soop®, Dacosta has produced designs across various media and collaborated with artists around the world. His passion and philosophy is grounded in his belief that visual art must be imaginative and bold, and with each project strives to create the highest quality work possible, whether it be through a toy, illustration, app, or an animated project. As noted by a client, “Dacosta brings a rare combination of artistic vision, technical execution and commercial sensibility”. He demonstrates a “finely honed grasp of what does and does not resonate with his intended audience”, creating designs which “communicate familiarity without stooping to cliché” and characters which possess “weight and depth…wit and poignancy”. The drive behind the CHOCOLATE SOOP studio is to create projects that connect with those individuals who seek out visual inspiration and the quality of creative design. We strive for a design with visual resonance, and the ability to appeal to the mind’s eye. We can think of nothing more exciting than dreaming up solutions that challenge convention, invite the exchange of knowledge, and allow the sharing of ideas with others around the world.