Toasted Marshall vinyl figure is a collaborative art toy project produced by Chicago-based product development specialists Squibbles Ink, (Squibbles was in on the Plusform DIY stuffed toy), designer toy store Rotofugi and Michigan-based artists 64 Colors.
The official Marshall website proclaims, "Marshall Mashumaro. Made of marshmallow. Soft and squishy. His dog's name is Gumdrop."
Marshall really isn't marshmallow--he's vinyl. Though his description sounds delicious, it's doubtful that he'd taste all that good. Toasted Marshall looks like a roasted marshmallow and is the latest incarnation of the Marshall character.
Rotofugi has sold out of the Toasted Marshall vinyl figure twice, once in March and again after the April 2nd release. Ningyoushi still has some in stock. Toasted Marshall sells for $15 plus shipping.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Art Toys
- Opportunity to create more innovative vinyl figures with unique designs based on familiar characters or original creations to appeal to collectors and pop culture enthusiasts.
- Collaborations
- Opportunity for companies to work together to create exclusive collectibles that appeal to multiple audiences and increase brand awareness.
- Food-inspired Designs
- Opportunity for artists and designers to create products with fun and quirky designs inspired by food, allowing for a new category of collectibles to emerge.
Where This Applies
- Toy Industry
- Innovation opportunity to create unique, limited edition art toys that appeal to collectors and pop culture enthusiasts, creating a new category of high-end collectibles.
- Collaborative Retail
- Opportunity for retail stores to collaborate with artists and designers to create exclusive product lines, generating buzz and increasing sales for both parties involved.
- Food Industry
- Opportunity for food companies to collaborate with artists and designers to create branded collectibles with food-inspired designs, increasing brand awareness and providing unique marketing opportunities.
