Top 10 Designer Toy Artists You Should Know不可不知的十大潮玩藝術家

Designer toys have evolved from basic visual amusement into collectible art pieces， thanks in large part to the vision and creativity of indy1 artists. These designers often draw on their backgrounds in street art， illustration， and various forms of fine art to create unique figures that resonate with fans and collectors alike. This article highlights ten influential designer toy artists whose work， we believe， has shaped the industry and continues to inspire new generations of collectors and creators.

潮流玩具已從基礎的視覺娛樂載體逐步演變成具有收藏價值的藝術品，這在很大程度上要歸功于獨立藝術家們的遠見和創意。這些設計師往往會從其街頭藝術、插畫及各類美術作品的創作經驗中汲取靈感，打造出獨特的玩具形象，不僅能打動普通愛好者，也深得收藏家們的青睞。本文重點介紹十位極具影響力的潮玩藝術家。我們認為，他們的作品塑造了整個潮玩行業，并在不斷激勵新生代收藏者和創作者。

1. Kaws

1. 考斯

Overview： Kaws， born Brian Donnelly， is a prominent figure in both the designer toy and contemporary art scenes. He began his career as a graffiti artist and quickly gained recognition for his distinctive style， which features cartoonish characters with X-ed out eyes2.

人物概述：考斯，本名布賴恩·唐納利，在潮玩和當代藝術領域均是舉足輕重的代表性人物。他最早以涂鴉藝術家的身份出道，憑借其鮮明的風格迅速嶄露頭角——這種風格以雙眼畫成叉號的卡通化角色為核心特征。

Signature Works： Kaws’ “Companion” figures are among his most recognizable creations. These vinyl toys often portray familiar cartoon aesthetics infused with a sense of melancholy.

代表作品：考斯的 “同伴”系列玩偶是其最具辨識度的作品之一。這些乙烯基材質玩具往往呈現出大眾熟悉的卡通美學風格，同時又融入了一絲憂郁感。

Impact： Kaws successfully bridges the gap between high art and pop culture， making his works highly sought after in galleries and among collectors. His collaborations with brands like Nike and Uniqlo have further propelled his visibility. He even has a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade3... that is some epic-level notoriety.

影響：考斯成功彌合了高雅藝術與流行文化之間的鴻溝，使他的作品不僅在畫廊備受青睞，更成為收藏者競逐的對象。他與耐克、優衣庫等品牌的合作進一步提升了他的知名度。連梅西感恩節大游行中都有他設計的氣球……這堪稱史詩級的知名度。

2. Frank Kozik

2. 弗蘭克·科齊克

Overview： Frank Kozik （RIP4） is known for his influential role in the designer toy movement， particularly through his work with Kidrobot. With a background in graphic design and punk rock， Kozik’s toys often reflected his edgy personality. He was the king of saying like it is.

人物概述：弗蘭克·科齊克（已故）因其在潮玩運動中極具影響力而聞名，尤其是與“凱羅伯大頭機器人”品牌的合作使其廣為人知。憑借平面設計與朋克搖滾的藝術背景，科齊克設計的玩具往往折射出他銳利的個性。他毫不矯飾的直率表達在業界數一數二。

Signature Works： His “Labbit” character， a rabbit with a cigarette， became iconic and has spawned numerous variants and collaborations. But the Labbit isn’t even close to the only character he came up with. Many of his character smoked cigarettes， and anarchy was a common thread that laced his body of work together.

代表作品：他設計的那款叼著香煙的“抽煙兔”形象已經成為一種文化符號，衍生出眾多變體和聯名款。然而，除了抽煙兔，他還構想了許許多多其他的形象。他設計的諸多角色都叼著香煙，而無政府主義的反叛精神是貫穿其所有作品的一條主線。

Impact： Kozik played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of designer toys， pushing the boundaries of what a toy can be and establishing a new narrative in collectible art. We miss him.

影響：科齊克在潮玩界格局的塑造中扮演了關鍵角色，他不斷突破玩具定義的邊界，為收藏級藝術確立了一種新的敘事。對他，我們唯有思念。

3. Yoshitomo Nara

3. 奈良美智

Overview： Yoshitomo Nara is a Japanese artist known for his whimsical yet sometimes unsettling characters. His artwork often features children and animals with exaggerated features， exploring themes of innocence and rebellion.

人物概述：日本藝術家奈良美智以其充滿奇思妙想又時而令人不安的角色創作而聞名。他的作品常以五官夸張的孩童與動物為主角，探索純真與反叛的主題。

Signature Works： Nara’s designer toys reflect his fine art style， with pieces like the “Hollow Girls” series capturing his signature aesthetic.

代表作品：奈良美智的潮玩反映了他的美術風格，諸如“空心女孩”系列之類的作品，精準呈現了他標志性的審美特質。

Impact： Nara has successfully translated his art into collectible toys， making his work accessible to a wider audience and highlighting the relationship between fine art and popular culture.

影響：奈良美智成功地將自己的藝術創作轉化為收藏級玩具，不僅使其作品可以觸達更廣泛的受眾，還凸顯了美術與流行文化之間的關聯。

4. Gary Baseman

4. 加里·貝斯曼

Overview： Gary Baseman is an artist， animator， and toy designer known for his playful yet dark imagery. His work often explores themes of childhood， memory， and the subconscious.

人物概述：加里·貝斯曼集藝術家、動畫師與玩具設計師等身份于一身，以其兼具趣味性與暗黑感的視覺意象著稱。他的作品常常探索童年、記憶和潛意識等主題。

Signature Works： The “Dunny” series， in collaboration with Kidrobot， features Baseman’s unique characters that evoke nostalgia while challenging viewers with deeper meanings.

代表作品：貝斯曼與“凱羅伯大頭機器人”品牌聯名創作了“長耳大頭兔”系列，以其獨特的角色設計在喚起觀者懷舊情愫的同時，通過深層寓意激發其思考。

Impact： Baseman has expanded the narrative possibilities of designer toys， encouraging collectors to see them as more than just playthings but as reflections of personal and cultural stories.

影響：貝斯曼拓展了潮玩的敘事可能，鼓勵收藏者將潮玩不僅僅視為單純玩物，也視為個人故事的映射和文化敘事的載體。

5. Amanda Visell

5. 阿曼達·維塞爾

Overview： Amanda Visell is known for her hand-crafted toys that merge art and play. Her work often features quirky characters and vibrant colors， drawing inspiration from nature and childhood memories.

人物概述：阿曼達·維塞爾是一位以手工玩具聞名的藝術家，其作品將藝術和玩樂完美融合。她常常創作充滿怪趣風格的角色，運用炫麗的色彩，從大自然與童年記憶中獲取靈感。

Signature Works： The “Woodland Friends” series showcases her unique style and attention to detail， with each piece telling a story.

代表作品：“森林伙伴”系列集中展現了她的獨特風格與對細節的把控，系列中的每一件作品都講述了一個故事。

Impact： Visell’s commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling in her toys has garnered a dedicated following， illustrating the importance of narrative in the designer toy community.

影響：維塞爾在玩具設計中對工藝和故事性的執著追求為她贏得了一眾忠實的擁躉，這也彰顯了敘事在潮玩領域的重要意義。

6. Ron English

6. 羅恩·英格利希

Overview： Ron English is a conceptual artist known for his provocative work that critiques consumer culture. His designer toys often blend popular icons with surreal elements， creating a unique commentary on society.

人物概述：羅恩·英格利希是一位概念藝術家，以其批判消費文化的啟發性作品聞名。他設計的潮玩常將流行符號與超現實元素相融合，形成對社會的獨到注解。

Signature Works： The “Grin” series， which features iconic characters with exaggerated grins， showcases his distinctive approach to toy design.

代表作品： “咧嘴笑”系列的標志性角色都帶有夸張的咧嘴笑容，展現了他在玩具設計上的獨特風格。

Impact： English’s toys challenge collectors to think critically about the cultural implications of the toys they collect， making him a significant figure in the genre.

影響：英格利希設計的玩具促使收藏者對所藏玩具的文化內涵進行批判性思考，這使他成為該類創作的重要人物。

7. Huck Gee

7. 哈克·吉

Overview： Huck Gee is celebrated for his intricate designs and character-driven storytelling. His background in graphic design informs his work， making each toy a narrative piece.

人物概述：哈克·吉以其繁復精細的設計和角色化故事敘述而備受贊譽。他的平面設計背景為其創作提供了支撐，使每件玩具都成為了敘事作品。

Signature Works： His “Skullhead” series features characters with elaborate designs and backstories， appealing to collectors who appreciate depth in their toys.

代表作品：哈克·吉的“骷髏頭”系列作品以精心設計和背景故事為特色，吸引了注重玩具內涵的藏家。

Impact： Huck Gee’s focus on character development has elevated the narrative potential of designer toys， encouraging other artists to explore storytelling in their work.

影響：哈克·吉對角色塑造的專注提升了潮玩的敘事潛能，激勵其他藝術家在作品中探索故事性表達。

8. Junko Mizuno

8. 水野純子

Overview： Junko Mizuno is a Japanese artist whose work combines elements of kawaii （cute） culture with darker themes. Her toys often feature female characters in fantastical settings.

人物概述：水野純子是一位日本藝術家，其作品將卡哇伊（萌趣）文化元素與暗黑主題相結合。她設計的玩具常常是身處奇幻場景的女性角色。

Signature Works： Mizuno’s “Pretty in Pink5” and “Sailor Moon6” influenced designs highlight her distinctive style and cultural influences.

代表作品：水野純子受《紅粉佳人》和《美少女戰士》啟發而進行的潮玩設計凸顯了她獨特的藝術風格和文化影響。

Impact： Mizuno has brought a unique feminine perspective to the designer toy world， inspiring a new generation of artists and collectors who appreciate her blend of cute and macabre7.

影響：水野純子為潮玩領域帶來了獨特的女性視角，啟發了新一代的藝術家與收藏者——他們十分欣賞她這種將呆萌與陰森相融合的風格。

9. Pushead

9. 普斯海德

Overview： Pushead8， known for his intricate skull designs， is a significant figure in both the punk rock and designer toy communities. His work often features dark themes and detailed graphics.

人物概述：普斯海德是朋克搖滾界與潮玩領域的重要人物，以其復雜精細的骷髏頭設計而聞名。他的作品常為暗黑主題，以細節豐富的圖案為特色。

Signature Works： The “Skull” series showcases his unique artistic style， often appealing to both collectors and music fans.

代表作品：“頭骨”系列作品展現了他獨特的藝術風格，往往同時受到玩具收藏者與音樂愛好者的青睞。

Impact： Pushead’s ability to merge music culture with designer toys has broadened the audience for collectibles， emphasizing the cross-pollination of various art forms.

影響：普斯海德能將音樂文化與潮玩相融合，這擴大了收藏品的受眾范圍，也凸顯了不同藝術形式的交叉傳播。

10. Michael Lau

10. 劉建文

Overview： Often referred to as the “Godfather of Designer Toys，” Michael Lau is a Hong Kong artist credited with popularizing the designer toy movement in Asia. His work often reflects street culture and urban aesthetics.

人物概述：劉建文常被稱作“潮玩教父”，是中國香港的一位藝術家。他被譽為推動潮玩運動在亞洲普及的關鍵人物，其作品往往帶有街頭文化和都市美學色彩。

Signature Works： The “Gardener” series features a variety of stylized characters that explore themes of nature and urban life.

代表作品：“花園人”系列包含多款風格化角色，探索自然與都市生活的主題。

Impact： Lau’s influence on the designer toy scene is profound， inspiring countless artists and establishing a cultural bridge between the East and West in the toy community.

影響：劉建文對潮玩領域影響深遠，不僅啟發了無數藝術家，更在玩具領域搭建起一座連接東西方的文化橋梁。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者；單位：成都東軟學院外國語學院）

1 indy俚語中independent（獨立的）的縮寫形式，通常用來指代獨立音樂藝人或獨立音樂廠牌?，F在也用 于其他藝術領域。

2 X-ed out eyes = crossed-out eyes，意為“畫成叉號的眼睛”。" 3梅西感恩節大游行，由美國梅西百貨公司主辦的一年一度的感恩節大游行，始于1924年。游行在感恩節上午9：00開始，持續3個小時，有數萬人參加，聲勢浩大。" 4 RIP = Rest in Peace，英語中表達對逝者祝福的常用短語，意為“愿安息”或“愿靈魂安息”。該短語通?？逃谀贡蛴糜诘磕顖鼍?，祈愿逝者得到安寧。

5 《紅粉佳人》，約翰·休斯編劇、霍華德·達奇執導的愛情片，由莫利·林沃德、哈利·戴恩·斯坦通等主演。" 6《美少女戰士》，又名《水手月亮》，1991年日本漫畫家武內直子創作的漫畫作品，連載于講談社發行的漫畫月刊《好朋友》。" 7 macabre可怕的，恐怖的（尤指與死亡等相聯系的）。" 8真名為布賴恩·施羅德（Brian Schroeder）。