HackMDContext:
Hi! I'm Ryan, maker and 3D printerer in Toronto.
I created fidgets.fyi for mechanical toy and fidget enjoyers.
Originally I planned to do an online subscription service, but I jumped at the opportunity when asked to package my fidgets for individual sale.
Fidgets.fyi launched our first retail fidget product at a local Toronto restaurant that serves our neurodivergent community.[1]
The first product's packaging design (Historical-context) is impersonal, and I have been requested to put a cartoon of myself on the package, saying something like "Hi! I'm Ryan, and I made this fidget toy for you!"
For this first use of this character in the restaurant, we want to fit in with their personal-sketch aesthetic (Menu pic and you can see some on their website/socials - we're not trying to copy their style).
A simple black and white line art will be a great start, something resembling to the style of Steven Universe (Some inspirational examples).
I expect to be cosplaying as this character, so I put together a first stab at a costume (pics below). My hair is short right now, but it defaults to long and curly poofy. I intend to do videos in costume and in character, and I'm hoping to be recognizable.
The purpose of this brief is to help get that cartoon character sketched out enough to use on packaging prototypes. Full character sheets and a collection of expressions and poses can come later. If you're interested, please reach out with your rates! Please email ryan at fidgets.fyi and I'll look forward to working with you :) ( or Discord ryancoordinatorpersonal )
I have started setting up Ryan Makes accounts, starting with buying ryanmakes.ca and starting a social mastodon account https://mastodon.art/@ryanmakes , so you can see I'm taking this seriously.
Character traits of cartoon Ryan:
- Boy
- Chubby
- Curly hair
- Hiking boots (or barefoot)
- Starheart shirt and labcoat
- Many pocketed cargo pants
- Joyous
Planned use:
- Product packaging
- Product instructions (laminated halfpagers to go in sensory boxes)
- Retail advertising (point of sale product displays)
- Social media accounts (profile pics)
- Website
- Comics
Terms:
This is a paid commission job and all the IP is included in the purchase.
Notes and scratchpad
Basically: Steven Universe with my shirt + labcoat + pants + boots
maybe chibi ryan wears safety goggles
Concern raised over a chubby avatar - maybe a buff version for comparison?
Historical context:
I have made all the designs so far (can you tell?) and now I need help. I'm open to product and packaging design ideas and assistance, too! We hope the next iteration will be more personal and charming with a little chibi me on it. Maybe we'll have a little comic or zine on the inside folds (the fold on the leftmost third is folded inside, middle is back, right side is front, far right is not included in the package) 
This was the original 'halfpager', half a letter sized sheet of paper (which is not A4 as I learned) - A new one with my character on it will be printed and laminated, to be shown to restaurant guests at their table.
Front:
Back:
Home:
In Context:
In box:
Boxes on shelf:
Shirt prototype: A future shirt could be tie-dye instead of red.
Me wearing shirt and labcoat (gasmask because it was the day of wildfire smoke, not part of this character design):
Pics of clothing:
Cargo pants:
Pants and shirt:
Front of labcoat:
Back of labcoat:
I'm not afraid of remaking the clothes if the drawings are super cool and improve the design.
Steven Universe inspiration pics
My shirt is red today, but maybe rainbowy is worth exploring
