Star Man GID Uamou

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. Founded in September 2011 by Lee McSweeney and Jayne Goddard, Collect and Display began it’s journey into the vinyl toy scene. A common interest in the history of the artists involved in the pieces brought the idea of Collect and Display and so the company was created. Selling solely Star Wars plush on eBay we set out to prove ourselves to the toy industry. By providing a second to none customer service we stood out to the avid EBay shoppers. Within months a website was born and our determination paid off as we took our first step towards the Vinyl Scene. Starting with the most simple but popular products including the wonderful DIY selection from Kidrobot we began to get noticed and began to sell out. New stock and new product variants were taken on rapidly. Lessons were learnt but sales kept us busy. 1 Year on and a handful of amazing suppliers under our belt we have a whole new website, a whole new selection of stock and a very busy office. Every week we are growing more and more and branching out with new products and to a whole new group of collectors. Our journey certainly hasn’t been the easiest but it has definitely Uamou, a lovable, round-headed creature with adorable, minimalist facial features and a variety of expressions. Uamou’s simple, yet endearing design has made it a favorite in the designer toy community, and the brand has expanded to include various characters and themes within its universe. Ayako Takagi’s goal is to expand the world of UAMOU through picture books, figures, animation and jewellery, bridging the gap between the character movement and art/design. From a young age she was greatly influenced by her parents who were both jewellers. Growing up in a creative environment, Ayako had always been interested in drawing and making things. Whilst studying in London she started making and selling UAMOU products throughout Europe. After graduating from Camberwell College of Arts she moved back to Japan where she is working as an artist and designer on the international stage.