People Characters: Kids’ Inspiration

City Icons

~ Simple, modern graphic styles in bold colours
~ A fresh take on souvenir merchandise and national costume
~ Decorative military uniforms, royal guards, marching bands and parades
~ The classic policeman is friendly and nostalgic

Left to right: Kay Bojesen for Rosendahl, Abner Graboff.

Anthropomorphic

~ Animal characters are used to convey aspects of our everyday world
~ Also fantasy characters such as acrobats, superheroes or magicians
~ Jobs, occupations and "what shall I be when I grow up?" themes
~ The classic and ever-popular Busy Busy World and What do People do all Day books by Richard Scarry are key inspirations

Top left to right: Blabla at Maison & Objet Paris, Blabla at Maison & Objet Paris; Bottom left to right: The Claudettes by Darling Clementine for 1973, The Marionettes by Darling Clementine for Ferm Living, The Marionettes by Darling Clementine for Ferm Living.

Anthropomorphic

~ Animal characters are used to convey aspects of our everyday world
~ Also fantasy characters such as acrobats, superheroes or magicians
~ Jobs, occupations and "what shall I be when I grow up?" themes
~ The classic and ever-popular Busy Busy World and What do People do all Day books by Richard Scarry are key inspirations

Top left to right: Around the World with Mouk by Marc Boutavant, Illustration by Marc Boutavant, Illustration by Marc Boutavant; Bottom left to right: Busy, Busy World by Richard Scarry, Busy, Busy World by Richard Scarry, What do People do all Day by Richard Scarry.

City Icons

~ Simple, modern graphic styles in bold colours
~ A fresh take on souvenir merchandise and national costume
~ Decorative military uniforms, royal guards, marching bands and parades
~ The classic policeman is friendly and nostalgic

Local Folk by Tosh World

City Icons

Brighton-based Tosh Licensing previewed its Local Folk collection at the UK Spring Fair 2011. Its bold graphic characters represent iconic people from cities around the world. The range includes characters from London, New York, Sydney and Edinburgh, as well as Rome, Moscow and Barcelona. The characters are licensed to children's products such as T-shirts, mugs, bags, posters and cushions.

~ Simple, modern graphic styles in bold colours
~ A fresh take on souvenir merchandise and national costume
~ Decorative military uniforms, royal guards, marching bands and parades
~ The classic policeman is friendly and nostalgic

Top left to right: Bill by Tosh World, Local Folk by Tosh World, Buzz by Tosh World; Bottom left to right: Alice Apple, Alice Apple, Vintage cloth doll.

Funny People & Faces

~ Imaginary characters with quirks of personality and a story to tell
~ Carefully drawn, distinctive features and expressions
~ Retro graphic style, inspired by 50s/60s picture book illustrations and litho textures

Top left to right: Simon by My Name is Simone, Joseph by My Name is Simone, Rosalie by My Name is Simone; Bottom left to right: Jim Datz illustration, Nioui by Trousselier, Archive doll by June Craft.

Funny People & Faces

~ Imaginary characters with quirks of personality and a story to tell
~ Carefully drawn, distinctive features and expressions
~ Retro graphic style, inspired by 50s/60s picture book illustrations and litho textures

Top left to right: Dolls by Marilyn Neuhart, Mr Mustache by Studio Violet; Bottom left to right: Spoons by Elizabeth Dunker of Fine Little Day, Blanca Gómez.

Funny People & Faces

WGSN loved the expanding range of characters from My Name is Simone, presented at Playtime Paris in January.

Designer Caroline Castagna-Suarez makes eccentric plush dolls, larger doll cushions, stickers and books with funny faces, moustaches or glasses. My Name is Simone is an antidote to seriousness, taking a childlike and tongue-in-cheek approach to the characters of everyday life. The range is made from organic cotton, mixing checks, flowers, sparkles and polka dots, each with a personalised back.

~ Imaginary characters with quirks of personality and a story to tell
~ Carefully drawn, distinctive features and expressions
~ Retro graphic style, inspired by 50s/60s picture book illustrations and litho textures

Top: My Name is Simone at Playtime Paris 2011; Bottom left to right: Jim Datz illustration, Illustration by Naiad Einsel, 1962.