Inspiration & sketching the figure bases
The first thing that I had to think about when it came to this project was what would the bases of these figures look like. I was strongly inspired by Kid Robot's dunnies, a series of art toys with the same base but with a different "skin." Then I had to ideate what this base for my figure would look like. I thought about making one that looks like my heart or my brain or even just a random shape, but in the end, I came to the realization that a blindbox figure about my graphic design journey should be a little me–a perception of the self, a caricature almost. I wanted it to have the dead-eyed stare of domo for example but still embody a distinct female form.
The translation from 2D to 3D
I modeled my figure base in Womp 3D, and how I envisioned the figure in 2D really changed when moving to 3D. I was really inspired by the Venus of Willendorf, one of the first sculpted perceptions of the female form, exposing a voluptuous body as a desirable form. I also exaggerated certain aspects of my appearance, showing off my breasts, butt, piercings, and oh-so-annoying cowlick that I have been plagued with for most of my life. I 3D printed five figures in white PLA, sanded them down, and then primed them to be ready to paint.
So what inspires me?
As each figure is intended to be representative of something that inspires my graphic design journey, I had to think about the things that really move me. At first I wanted to base the figures around graphic design history movements that have inspired my work, but I realized that even things that are not necessarily associated with graphic design directly inspire me as well. Taking this into account, I made a Art Nouveau, Post Modern, Risograph, and Anime Bari, with the hope to make additional ones in the future.
Painting the Baris
After priming the Baris, I gently painted them in several thin layers, spending hours adding additional small details. I sealed each figure with a satin varnish to protect them and give them a slight shine.
Designing the Box
When approaching the design of the box, I wanted to keep it neutral by using no color, hand-drawn illustration simple typefaces with good, clean typography and composition. My thought process around this was because I wanted the consumer of the figure to be surprised to see the colorful Bari inside of each box. Earlier, I translated my sketches into 3D, but when designing the box, I translated back to 2D, tracing the shape of the Bari head to create a charming illustration with a handcrafted, stamp-like quality. To further the boxes' hand-drawn appearance, I used the typeface Psilly with an understated quality. I laid out the elements similarly to preexisting blind boxes, but I took one of the Bari head illustrations and placed it centrally on top of two box faces, so each half sits on either side of the front of the box like a 3D head, with a thought bubble emanating from it. The only color on the boxes is of the different Baris that are available to collect.
Making & assembling the box
I printed the boxes on a semi-thick cardstock with a smooth, pure white tooth, which created a great contrast of the black and white imagery. Then I took the extra satin varnish I used to seal the figures with to add some hand-done spot varnishing, adding some additional shine and raised texture to important elements of the box's design.
