Patrick (Blavin x Guzman)

Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. Louis De Guzman is a Chicago-based visual artist and designer who creates artwork that merges his past with his present. De Guzman’s geometric abstraction style often blends together images and stories that evoke his family’s immigrant journey, and his own experience as a second generation Filipino American. Over the last decade De Guzman has proved himself as a prominent designer and creative director. De Guzman has been able to blend both traditional and experimental techniques in his work, which has attracted attention from corporate clients and culturally relevant figures alike.