Tara games

I finally got around to posting these pictures. I designed the logos and cards for a number of games for Tara Toy in 2008. Games is a fairly new category for them, so I am happy to see that of the seven or so games I worked on, these three went through to production, and can be found in stores.

Product logos and illustrations are the most fun part of this job.

I feel like Steve Martin

Remember in The Jerk when Steve Martin found his name in the phone book, and cried out that he was famous? I feel a little like that when I post this, but as much as a mention of our studio in passing should really be no big deal, we feel it's a compliment to have been mentioned at all in a marketing guru's blog along with two other known brands.

After all, you may know who Cookie Jar is, but everyone knows Ugly Dolls. Well, Monkey Doodle Dandy was mentioned in the same sentence in this post in Jason Manwaring's blog talking about Licensing Expo.

It should seem like no big deal, especially considering the sentence was not all that positive (really not negative regarding our studio either). But, hey. We got noticed.
We're famous! ;)

Fisher Price badge

The day before we left for Licensing Expo in Vegas, we were invited by Fisher Price to their Vendor Fair. There, we got to have face time with some of the people we do work for; and we also get to meet new people for potential work. We had a portfolio, promotional material, and a table to greet Fisher Price designers and project managers.

I joked about their security at the time. We had to sign waivers promising not to discuss anything we saw (so, mum's the word), and we got badges on which we were to write our names. Only today, about two weeks later did I see the extent of their seriousness in their security when I found the badge in my bag. A time exposed ink "appeared" on my badge. Cool.

Not squared to send Facebook gifts

If you are on Facebook, get the new Squaredy Cats Facebook Gift app, and send some to friends. When you install it you will only see a few, but more unlock each day.
Click the "become a fan" button when you get there, and you will be notified when we upload more images. The Squaredy Cats you see here are not necessarily exclusive, but you'll find some here you'll never see anywhere else!
Wear your anxiety on your Facebook wall and own it!

Click here to get it!

Paperoni - pasta, present, future

The original Paper'oni logo we created.

Our apartment was filled with these Paper'oni boxes and jars while Elaine was developing uses for the craft product.

Elaine at the Happy Hands booth, Toy Fair 2008. Paper'oni was their featured product. Elaine designed all the packaging and banners.

It's always nice to see the fruits of your efforts drop to the earth so that the seeds plant new trees that grow before your eyes. Sometimes we miss the scope of what we've contributed to particular products, and sometimes we just have to patiently wait to see what comes up.
A few of years ago Elaine met a new client at Toy Fair. He hired Monkey Doodle Dandy to develop a new craft concept with him. We even provided a list of creative titles for the product, and Raymond Suskin, the inventor chose a name we brainstormed: Paper'oni. We knew immediately, based on his idea, and how we felt about the name that Raymond had a hit.

I designed the logo, and Elaine did most of the development; presentation boards, product illustrations, packaging, etc. We were both very proud when Raymond at Happy Hands told us his Paper'oni was doing well in other countries.

It seemed like it happened over night. One day last year, Elaine got a call from an unrelated client who hired her to develop their new license… Paper'oni! The product caught the eye of Spin Master, and coincidentally, Elaine helped develop the license for new product. More illustrations, and a slight change in the name (Paperoni without the apostrophe), and Spin Master has finally released Paperoni to market… and we can finally show it.

This Amazon link might not last forever so images are below.

Spin Master's first Paperoni item.
Elaine and I sketched and rendered concepts for the machine, and Elaine designed the 2-D and 3-D animals. This was one of the projects our friend, Nancy Sampson helped with.

See Nancy Sampson's website.

Monday is fun day

The monkeys are back in the new studio trying to catch up on emails. Then we have to sort everything out that we learned at Licensing Expo. The show was a success for us. We came home with a stack of business cards as big as an Uno deck. Now comes the follow-through.

We are very excited about it all. We'll likely sign with our licensing agent for the US and UK this week or next, then they'll take some of our leads and make things happen.

*fingers crossed*

First Day at first Expo

Elaine and Kurt in the Monkey Doodle Dandy booth at our first Licensing Expo.

Kurt and the Squarey Monsters banner.

Elaine and the Wudjadoo banner.

The Jitterbutter banner and Betty Bones' skateboard concept.

The Squarey Monsters display.

Our first day of Licensing Expo went very well… even better than either of us had expected it could. We met manufacturers and producers from all over the world. Sometimes inventors had a product they thought would work well with our images. Sometimes an agency wanted to know what was available. There seems to be pretty even interest among all four of our properties, Jitterbutter GirlMonsters, Wudjadoo, Squarey Monsters and Squaredy Cats.

Today is the second day, and we don't know what to expect. We hope it can go half as well as it has already. I can't wait to see what the end result will be, and how these new connections will affect Monkey Doodle Dandy. 

We haven't figured out if our ad in Art of Licensing has sent anyone in our direction. It's possible, when everyone browses their papers from the show they can find us then. Not like we had many free moments yesterday. It seemed like someone was always stopping at our booth, and we're thankful for that! Even the heads of Tara Toy stopped by to say hello.

This booth is made for stompin'

Elaine and Kurt stand in the empty booth 1873 at their first Licensing Expo.

First order of business… hang the Monkey Doodle Dandy Banner!

Elaine and Stephanie assembling our shelves. Not sure where everything goes yet.

Elaine and Stephanie. All the banners are up.

Now we know where the Squarey Monsters are going, cut stickers for packets.

Last minute concept mock-ups to assemble.

Squarey Monsters await fame while Elaine goes through last minute portfolio changes.

We're pretty much finished setting up the booth for Licensing Expo. Booth 1873. We'll post more pictures showing the entire booth tomorrow when the union gets all the skids out of the way and the carpet is down. 

Also, great to note:

A google alert made me aware that our Exhibitor profile has been published at TMCnet.com.

Here's how it reads:

Company: Monkey Doodle Dandy Booth: 1873 Media Contact: Elaine de la Mata Phone: 718-398-2338/917-450-2483 E-mail: studio@monkeydoodledandy.com Web: monkeydoodledandy.com   Since 1998, Monkey Doodle Dandy, Inc. has developed properties for major companies including Scholastic, Nickelodeon, Fisher Price and Mattel. The Brooklyn-based art and design company is now expanding as a licensor, introducing its own brands Squarey Monsters, Squaredy Cats, Wudjadoo and GirlMonsters. Whether they're furry, fanged, or four-sided, these endearing creatures allow young consumers to express themselves with an individuality that resonates with their age group but still meets the approval of parents. For more information, visit www.monkeydoodledandy.com.

Donk, Bitzy and Clup are GO!

Kurt wearing Donk's Eyes.

Clup, Bitzy and Donk as plushies!

Terry cloth Squarey Monster, Bitzy… she's a bath buddy!

Terry cloth Squarey Monster, Donk… he's a bath buddy!

Plush Squarey Monster, Donk trying to use Kurt's mouse.

We are so excited to fly to Las Vegas for the Licensing Expo Sunday morning. We worked in the studio today for some last minute finishes. A few product mock-ups, labels and details for… YES! THREE MORE plush Squarey Monsters!
My brother-in-law has a tuxedo shop, and we hired his seamstress to work up Bitzy and Clup as pocket mouthed bath buddies and Donk as a plush pillow. I made simple patterns for reference, and Maria did a great job interpreting my mess :)
We printed some eyes on board to simulate plastic, and set up some labels for a mini-shampoo, soap bar, etc. to go in the mouths of the bath buddies.

Couldn't have described this better

Self-employed does not mean unprofessional.

I saw about seven friends post this on Facebook, and it rings so true for those who are self-employed. It's been kind of a running joke in the free-lance world for a long time. It's like when stand-up comedians tell the story about when people meet them, they want them to tell a joke or "say something funny."

With respect to all clients, past and future, being self-employed is difficult. It becomes even more difficult if our efforts as artists are treated as flea-market bargains or swap-meet negotiations. I urge all clients (for the benefit of all who are self-employed and your own good) to watch this video. It presents our dilemma clearly, and in a humorous way.