What is Art Toy?

Art toys, also known as designer toys, are toys and collectibles created by artists and designers. Unlike children's toys, art toys are typically considered collectibles for adults aged 15 and above, possessing attributes of art collectibles.

Art toys are either handmade by designers or manufactured by independent toy companies. Due to their niche appeal and constraints such as craftsmanship and funding, they are often released in limited quantities, leading to higher price points.

Materials for art toys vary widely, including ABS plastic, vinyl, wood, metal, latex, plush, and resin.

Art toy designers often have backgrounds in graphic design, illustration, or fine arts, such as renowned artists like Kaws and Michael Lau, who were originally painters or illustrators. Of course, many self-taught toy artists, such as Gary Baseman, also contribute to the art toy scene.

Art toys are not mass-produced items; they embody abstract design thinking and concepts from designers, making them a form of personal expression and adding intrinsic value as collectibles.

While art toy designs often originate from children's cartoon characters, they undergo secondary creative processes that transform them into unique items for an adult market-showcasing personal interests and tastes rather than simple playthings.

Reflecting on the definition and characteristics of art toys mentioned earlier, blind boxes are clearly categorized as art toys. Anyone who disagrees likely does so due to perceived quality issues, yet blind boxes represent diversified creative expressions of toy characters and serve as entry-level products for renowned art toy collections.

Blind boxes significantly lower the barrier to entry for art toys, enabling wider participation and contributing significantly to their popularity.