Your 2018 Designer Toy Awards Finalists….

Hey, it’s that time of year again. With only a month till the 2018 edition of the Designer Toy Awards, we are happy to announce the FINALISTS for this year’s awards. The DTA Ceremony is taking place on June 1st in Brooklyn NYC and here is your opportunity to ensure your favourite artists, blog, designer toy stores all win a coveted DTA!

PUBLIC VOTED AWARDS – VOTING OPENS TODAY @ 2pm ET (7pm BST)!

Artist of the Year (FAN)

Recognizing a single artist, artistic duo, or collective who designed and/or produced a variety of outstanding new releases last year as well as garnering a strong base of followers and a steady demand for new material.
Finalists
Alex Pardee
Andrew Bell
Chino Lam
Coarse Toys
Hiroto Ohkubo
Jon Paul Kaiser
Kasing Lung
Kenny Wong
Konatsu
Quiccs
Scott Tolleson
Tara McPherson

Custom of the Year (FAN)

Recognizing a single artist, artistic duo, or collective who transformed an existing Designer Toy into an individually expressive art object. Consideration will be based on the custom’s merits of concept, paint execution, additional sculpting (if applicable), and overall attention to detail.
Finalists
Bio Nugs by Nugglife
Burning Sky by Remjie Malham
The Stranger by Squink
Alice Mega Dunny by 64colors
Artremis Munny by Bjornik
Blank Custom by Klav9
Caldera Dunny by Kyle Kirwan
Death Rides to War by JPK
Giant Anatomy Rubiks Cube by Jason Freeny
Princess Sugar Kelp by Haus of Boz
Quentin Facet by Dok A
Turglar the Anomalous Apportioner by W.A.R

Best Media Outlet

This award recognizes outstanding work by any news outlet with the main focus on Designer Toys. The category is not only open to traditional blogs but also podcasts, video blogs, or any other online resource for industry news. Nominated websites should have brought intelligent, informed, and diverse reporting to the Designer Toy niche. As the organizer of these Designer Toy Awards, Clutter has recused themselves from being nominated in this category.
Finalists
COART Magazine
For the Masses Podcast
Go Figure News
Marsham Toy Hour
Softoyhobby
Spankystokes
The Toy Chronicle (YAY)
The Toy Viking
The Blot Says
Toy Geeks Behind the Counter
Toysrevil
Vinyl Pulse

Toy of the Year (FAN)

The Toy of the Year recognizes a singularly outstanding platform, whose design and manufacture was of the highest quality and execution. This award celebrates a Designer Toy that captured the imagination of the fans and became a popularly demanded item.

Finalists
Beyond the Black Sea by Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins
Coozie by Nathan Ota
Dadbod Deadbeet by Scott Tolleson
Enjoy Your Stay by Coarse Toys
Kid Katana (Skull Edition) by 2PetalRose
Kill Kat by Andrew Bell
Morris the Cat by Hinatique
Mr DOB by Takashi Murakami
Ravenous by Colus
Washizu by James Jean x Jeff Staple
Yox by JT Studio
Yu Shao Long by Kenneth Tang

Best Toy Store

This category honours a brick-and-mortar (physical store) retailer that specializes in Designer Toys and has distinguished itself with outstanding activity last year. Nominees will be judged on knowledgeability, the range and selection of products offered, the overall store appearance and presentation, and any special events and/or shows the location hosted.
Finalists
3DRetro
Guzu Gallery
Lulubell Toy Bodega
Mothership Gallery
myplasticheart
Ozzo Collection
P!Q Grand Central
Rotofugi
Stranger Factory
Toy Tokyo
Wootbear
Wrong Gallery

Best Online Toy Store

Celebrating the outstanding achievement by an online retailer that specializes in Designer Toys and has been active last year. Criteria for consideration include range and selection of products, overall website presentation, ease of use, and customer service.
Finalists
3DRetro
Collect & Display
KO-RE KO-RE
Lulubell Toy Bodega
Martian Toys
Mintyfresh
myplasticheart
Rotofugi
Strange Cat Toys
Stranger Factory
Tenacious Toys
Wootbear

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PANEL VOTED AWARDS

Artist of the Year

Recognizing a single artist, artistic duo, or collective who designed and/or produced a variety of outstanding new releases last year as well as garnering a strong base of followers and a steady demand for new material.
Finalists
Chino Lam
Hiroto Ohkubo
Jim McKenzie
Jon Paul Kaiser
Quiccs
Scott Tolleson
Sucklord
Tara McPherson
The Bots

Best Production Sculpt

Recognizes a singularly outstanding sculpt for a production toy. This award celebrates a sculpt that captured the likeness of the artist’s concept and transformed it into a 3dimentional object. 
Finalists
Frekkle by Seriously Silly K
5inch Shard by Scott Tolleson
Coozie by Nathan Ota
Dadbod Deadbeet by George Gasper
Deconstructed Mouse by Matt Gondek
Kill Kat by Andrew Bell
Washizu by James Jean
Yox by JT Studio
Yu Shou Long by Kenneth Tang

Toy of the Year

The Toy of the Year recognizes a singularly outstanding platform, whose design and manufacture was of the highest quality and execution. This award celebrates a Designer Toy that captured the imagination of the fans and became a popularly demanded item.
Finalists
5inch Shard by Scott Tolleson
Clairvoyant Dunny by J*RYU
Coozie by Nathan Ota
Deconstructed Mouse by Matt Gondek
Doro by Remjie Malham
Kid Katana (Skull Edition) by 2PetalRose
Kill Kat by Andrew Bell
Morris the Cat by Hinatique
Mr DOB by Takashi Murakami
TEQ63 by Quiccs
Yox by JT Studio
Yu Shou Long by Kenneth Tang

Best Licensed

Presented to an outstanding Designer Toy release with a design derived from an officially licensed (or creator approved) entertainment property: film, television, video game, or anything else. Nominees in this category will be judged not only on their quality as a toy but also their representation of the original property.
Finalists
20inch Dragon King by KaNO
Adventure Time BMO XXRay by Jason Freeny
Android Mini Web Crawler by Andrew Bell
Care Bears Tender Heart by Tara McPherson
Die Antwoord Mount Ninja & Da Nice Time Kid Zef by Ashley Wood
Rick & Morty 7″ Medium Figure by Josh Divine
Spongebob Molly by Kenny Wong
Warrior from the Jade Galaxy Series by Tikka from East X Herocross
Wonder Woman by Tara McPherson

Best Non-Licensed

Presented to an outstanding Designer Toy release with a design derived from an unofficially licensed or bootlegged entertainment property: film, television, video game, or anything else. Nominees in this category will be judged not only on their quality as a toy but also their representation of the original property.
Finalists
AT-AT by Amanda Visell
Crime to Be by Kalaka Toys
Deconstructed Mouse by Matt Gondek
Emperor Cryogenius by Acquired Taste Industries
Escobart the Columbians by Play Dude
Fuck Yo’ Couch by Special Ed Toys
SWWF (REN) by David Healey
The Candy Man – Regular Ediiton by Jerome Rogers x Special Ed Toys
The Great Showdowns by Scott C

Best Mini-Series

Whether a production platform or customized toy series, this category acknowledges excellence in 2″ to 5″ mini figures that have been produced in multiple quantities. Aspects considered in judging include quality of manufacturing, design, packaging, and even innovative use of the smaller size.
Finalists
Arcane Divination 3″ Dunny Series by J*RYU
Mini Rangeron, Byron & Rangeas by T9G x Shoko Nakzawa
BFFS Mini Series 4 by Travis Cain
Cereal Killers by Ron English
Dark Harbor by Kathie Olivias
Kaiju Hunting by Paradise Toys
Stink Box by Andrew Bell x Jason Limon
Sushi Cars by Tokidoki
The Outsiders by Joe Ledbetter

Best Non-Plastic

Celebrating the most innovative designer toys made mainly out of non-plastic materials to be released during the eligibility period. These are judged on design, construction, material usage, and overall execution.
Finalists
Tree Fort Gro-op by Nugglife
Arnold and the Cheese Puffs by Kidrobot x Yummy World
Daikon by Amanda Louise Spayd
Glitch Pecan Blackout by Coarse Toys
Popek Porcelain by Whathisname
Root Plush by Coarse x Flat Bonnie
SS Wonka by Steve Casino
The Grande Dame Mysticeti Lunaketo by Horrible Adorables
Wooper Looper #2 Wood Push Car by Gary Ham

Best Resin

Presented to the best Designer Toy platform cast in resin, this category considers the quality of the finished piece, the sculpted design, and innovative use of colour dyes and paints.
Finalists
Bake Kujira by Candie Bolton
Beyond the Black Sea by Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins
Dravokki by Whale Rabbit
Flynn Skitch and The Batsby Balderdash GT250 #27 by Huck Gee
Frost Shard by Scott Tolleson
I am Man: Real World Hero by RYCA
Kid Katana (Skull Edition) by 2PetalRose
O-No Pet Food by Andrew Bell
Ravenous by Colus

Best Soft Vinyl

Presented to the best Designer Toy manufactured platform using a Soft Vinyl Material (such as SOFUBI or SOFVI) usually, but not exclusively, in a slush cast method (Japanese soft vinyl style of production). This category celebrates the manner in which a Japanese led production technique and design style has become a mainstay for the Designer Toy market. The manufacturing quality, sculpting, and innovative colour variations will all be considered for this award.
Finalists
Doomkopf by Blitzkrieg Toys
Doro by Remjie Malham
Frekkle by Scott Tolleson x Seriously Silly K
Guy2 by Skull Toys
Met Death Golem by Splurrt
MITT by 628
Morris the Cat by Hinatique
Sparkman by Paul Kaiju
Yu Shou Long by Kenneth Tang

Best Vinyl & Plastic

Presented to the best Designer Toy platform manufactured using “Western vinyl,” which typically means manufactured in China. The manufacturing quality, sculpting, and innovative colour variations will all be considered for this award.

Please note: This category is only open to platforms cast in “Western vinyl” produced in a rotocast method (usually from China). Pieces made out of sofubi (Japanese vinyl), or other slush cast soft vinyl should be entered in the Best Soft vinyl category.
Finalists
Clairvoyant Dunny (Bone) by J*RYU
Coozie by Nathan Ota
Deconstructed Mouse by Matt Gondek
Enjoy Your Stay by Coarse Toys
Half a Nice Day by Alex Pardee
Kill Kat by Andrew Bell
Mr DOB by Takashi Murakami
TEQ63 by Quiccs
Washizu by James Jean x Jeff Staples

Break-Through Artist

Presented in recognition of an artist who gained significant industry-wide notice last year. While they could be relatively new to the scene or a professional who struggled for years, their dedication to Designer Toys and making a place for themselves within the community is honoured with this award. Not only should they have had a variety of outstanding releases last year, but also an increased fan base and overall visibility.
Finalists
Remjie Malham
Eimi Takano
Kenneth Tang
Linda Panda
Matt Gondek
MP Gautheron
Rato Kim
Refreshment Toy
Sad Salesman

Brand of the Year

Celebrating a designer toy company whose product releases last year have been consistently outstanding, of high quality, and had a breadth of diversity. While their toy releases are the most important other aspects will be considered, including events, sponsored promotions, and other supportive contributions to the Designer Toy community.
Finalists
3DRetro
Flabslab
Instinctoy
Kidrobot
Medicom Toy
Mighty Jaxx
Secret Base
Toyqube
Unbox Industries

Custom of the Year

Recognizing a single artist, artistic duo, or collective who transformed an existing Designer Toy into an individually expressive art object. Consideration will be based on the custom’s merits of concept, paint execution, additional sculpting (if applicable), and overall attention to detail.
Finalists
Burning Sky by Remjie Malham
Amphetamine Paint by Kenneth Tang
Artemis Munny by Bjornik
Death Rides to War by JPK
Inappropriation by Jason Freeny
King of Hearts by RXSE7EN
Matt the Fruity Bat by Seriously Silly K
Quentin Facet by Dok A
Rotten Rod by Robotic Industries

There you have it, boys & girls, your 2018 DTA Finalists! Congratulations to EVERYONE that has made it through to the Public or Panel votes! These are some great finalists! Each one deserved! Nice work!

We’ll bring you more details on how you can vote for your favourites in the PUBLIC VOTED AWARDS later today, including how to vote to ensure The Toy Chronicle retains their BEST BLOG award! In the meantime, please tell us your picks to take home the glory on June 1st in the comments!

If you wish to attend the 2018 Designer Toy Awards on June 1st, you’ll need to grab yourself a VIP Five Points Ticket that will get you access to the DTA Ceremony. You can snag your tickets HERE on the Five Points site!