Designing a Toy
“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
~Walt Disney
NOTE: This Article is a outdated as of 1/21/2025. I have since finished the designs for this toy and have posted a full breakdown of the creation process on YouTube. I will link the video at the bottom of this article for your convenience!
A recurring theme for me this year has been transforming digital ideas into physical forms. It’s one thing to create a character in 3D; it’s another to hold that character in your hands, to feel the weight of your imagination made real.
In 2025, I’ll be releasing a series of toy characters, each inspired by my digital creations. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of the first prototype: Kite. He’s the protagonist of a season-long animated series I’m working on, but rather than diving into his backstory, I’d like to share the process of bringing him to life as a physical object.
If you’ve ever wanted to create a custom toy or bring your own characters into the real world, I’ve linked the tools and resources I used throughout this article. Let’s break down how Kite went from a sketch on paper to a tangible figure standing tall on my desk.
The Design Phase
It all started with sketches. Rough ones.
Kite’s silhouette was my primary focus, so I kept his design minimal—no eyes, no nose, no mouth. Instead, I concentrated on his shape and proportions, knowing I’d ultimately render him in a low-poly style.
Initially, Kite wore a simple white t-shirt and shorts, but something about it didn’t feel right. He needed more presence, more personality. I gave his clothing a complete overhaul, experimenting with textures and colors until his outfit felt like an extension of his character.
Modeling Kite in 3D
Using the sketches as reference, I began modeling Kite. This phase was all about iteration. His hair changed, his clothing evolved, and I decided to make him an extra head taller.
I wanted this toy to feel heroic.
After two design iterations, Kite finally felt like himself—stylized, unique, and full of potential.
Animating for Context
Before finalizing the model, I rigged Kite and animated a few key scenes. I wanted to visualize how he moved in a 3D space, ensuring his design felt dynamic and alive.
Movement adds so much depth to a character. Even a few seconds of animation can make a static model feel like it belongs in a larger world.
Prepping for 3D Printing
Once Kite’s design was finalized, I transitioned to the physical process. Using Chitubox, a slicing program, I separated his body parts to fit neatly onto the 3D printing platform. This phase required patience—I spent two days testing different arrangements, tweaking supports, and printing different size variations to ensure clean, precise results. Surprisingly, the smaller the model size, the more errors I found in the print. I opted for a much larger size toy print than I originally planned for.
Assembly and Finishing
With the prints complete, I cured the resin to remove any residue, then carefully removed the structural supports. Each piece was hand-sanded to prepare it for painting.
Hot glue was my temporary solution for assembling Kite’s limbs and head. Once everything was in place, I primed the figure and let it dry.
Next came the most satisfying part: painting. I hand-mixed the paint in my studio and applied three coats, layering colors to bring Kite to life.
Refining the Process
This prototype taught me a lot. Moving forward, I’ll be making a few changes:
Plug-and-Play Assembly: I’m designing Kite’s limbs and head to connect seamlessly without glue.
Experimenting With Different Poses: I’m working on a few different poses to make the toy feel more dynamic!
Pre-Painting: Each part will be painted individually before assembly to ensure complete coverage, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Upgraded Paints: I’m switching to Master Series Paint (MSP) for finer detail and a more polished finish.
What’s Next
Kite is just the beginning. While this article highlights the creation of the prototype, I’ll share the final version in a future post, along with insights into packaging design. The process of turning a digital character into a physical toy has been challenging but incredibly rewarding—a reminder that art doesn’t have to live exclusively on screens.
If you’re interested in seeing how this journey evolves, stay tuned. I’m looking forward to unveiling the finished version of Kite and sharing the next steps in this creative process.
Thanks for reading. Now go create something extraordinary.
-P