Shawnimals

Shawnimals is family toy company based in Chicago and founded by Shawn Smith and his wife Jen Brody. Not only do they make toys, but they have produced their own game apps for the iPhone and iPad, based on the  fantasy world created for their toys, called Ninjatown. Each toy has its own character description and lives in a certain part of the land created for these characters. Their designs are usually cartoon-like, cute and humorous for a young target audience. They make plush toys, key-chain toys and vector cartoon shapes as character stickers.

Here are some of the ranges in toys and collectables on the 'Shawnimals' website:

From their Ninjatown collection, this is Animal Spirit Ninja

Like many in the Ninjatown collection, this toy, Animal Spirit Ninja, follows a simple design with the only stand-out feature being the large eyes popping out behind furry bat-like hood. The effect of this and it's stumpy well rounded limbs is that the toy is made to look impossibly cute! The fur and cute design would appeal to children of both genders as it has a warm brown masculine colour but cute appeal. This is my favourite toy on their website, maybe my favourite toy ever since it just struck a cord with me. It's brown hood and animalistic body suggests it is a mysterious benevolent creature which comes from a dark forest, since it is warm and inviting brown, quite rustic and practical in design.

'Mustachios' Collection

Appealing to child-like humour and simple cartoon style, mustachios would appeal to children but also a indie hipster teenager, as most seem to have an affiliation which ridiculous or retro mustaches, steaming from the need to be nerdy or different from others.

Other collectables and art:

'Pocket Pork Dumplings' Collection

Ninjatown charms

Ninjatown stickers

'Mr Demon' one of the characters of the fantasy world

The Shawnimals company could really inspired me in my outcome as they believe size and complexity is not important: the more simple it is, the more it stands out. Also,the character of the toy really matters, even if they are part of the same collection and has a similar or signature appearance, each toy is unique and has it's own story, and that is what inspires me the most.