This story almost never happened. This was my third story about designer toys in a short time span and, despite the desk being short on stories, the editor was against it. He did no try to understand what it is about, the possible angles and how we could have approached it.

All he knows is the word ‘toy’ has appeared before. So that’s a ‘no’. Despite the fact that we need more stories, and fast.

Thankfully the assistant editor is a professional. She had the idea of either putting the story in the youth section or features. I pitched the idea to focus on how Arifin made the figure, and so it was slated for the features page.

During the pandemic, I prefer to do my interviews remotely. Arifin was the first in person interview since it all started. We met at his studio.

The address was familiar, and it turns out that I have been there before. Arifin’s studio is close to another studio. A studio of someone I have interviewed before for the youth section of the paper.

Arifin out a lot of effort to make his figure. The pandemic slowed him down, but it didn’t stop him. However, it did force Arifin to change some of his plans. Thankfully, improvising is the first skill that all artist learns.

With limited tools and knowledge, Arifin manage to turn his drawing and design into a fully painted resin figure. Looking at the amount of work he has to invest on each piece makes his asking price look like a bargain. But these are tough times.

If you’d like to see Arifin’s creation for yourself, and maybe pick one up. Or look at the works of other toy designers in Malaysia, visit the Greydea Studio, TTDI, from 17 July to 2 August, between 3 and 8 pm for the My Toys 2.0: Exposure Designer Toy Group Exhibition.

Link