Through my research I came to understand the reason why we enjoy cuteness is because at our core we’re programmed to be lovers, nurturers and protectors. Biologically speaking, human beings were made to respond to baby like qualities so that we can be prompted to take care of them. These baby like characteristics are found in a variety of cute objects. 

Seeing anything cute elicits happiness and positive emotions, because we want to love and care for others, and have those feelings reciprocated to us. Cuteness encourages us to be lovers, in every sense of the word, to love your family, friends, your partner or child. Our basic survival instinct is to care for others, and that’s how we feel happiness; to love and to be loved by the ones we care about. Even though this is all just biology, I think it's all really sweet. Being who I am, it felt natural for me to gravitate towards reaserching about how cuteness can influence the human experience. 

Through my research I came to understand the reason why we enjoy cuteness is because at our core we’re programmed to be lovers, nurturers and protectors. Biologically speaking, human beings were made to respond to baby like qualities so that we can be prompted to take care of them. These baby like characteristics are found in a variety of cute objects. 

Seeing anything cute elicits happiness and positive emotions, because we want to love and care for others, and have those feelings reciprocated to us. Cuteness encourages us to be lovers, in every sense of the word, to love your family, friends, your partner or child. Our basic survival instinct is to care for others, and that’s how we feel happiness; to love and to be loved by the ones we care about. Even though this is all just biology, I think it's all really sweet.

Being who I am, it felt natural for me to gravitate towards reaserching about how cuteness can influence the human experience. 

PROCESS

PROCESS

Designing and Modelling

Designing and Modelling

Like most of my projects, I started off  by sketching potential mascots in my sketchbook. When designing my characters I recalled what I learned from my research and made sure they all had baby like characteristics. I gave them tiny figures, big heads with large foreheads, small mouths and substantially big enough eyes. I created three animal characters – Benny Bunilla the preppy bunny aiming for academic success, Cookie Flan the bear reminiscent of creme caramel, and Nate Pomegran, the half monkey and half pomegranate hybrid.

Since I don't have any experience with 3D Modelling, after I was done sketching I got into contact with Apryl, a 3D Designer I found through a discord server for designers and artists. Apryl was a good fit for my project because just like me, she also appreciates cute things a lot and has experience with modelling cute characters. Once I was done designing a character, I would create a turn around sheet for Apryl that demonstrated how I would like the 3D model to look like, and I added measurements for certain items to make it a bit easier for her to determine the correct sizing for the 3D components.

It was a constant back and forth process of us communicating with each other since sometime’s I would ask to change the design, or request to add extra elements to the model. I belive we created a great work environment and relationship built on trust and respect for each other's practice.

Like most of my projects, I started off  by sketching potential mascots in my sketchbook. When designing my characters I recalled what I learned from my research and made sure they all had baby like characteristics. I gave them tiny figures, big heads with large foreheads, small mouths and substantially big enough eyes. I created three animal characters – Benny Bunilla the preppy bunny aiming for academic success, Cookie Flan the bear reminiscent of creme caramel, and Nate Pomegran, the half monkey and half pomegranate hybrid.

Since I don't have any experience with 3D Modelling, after I was done sketching I got into contact with Apryl, a 3D Designer I found through a discord server for designers and artists. Apryl was a good fit for my project because just like me, she also appreciates cute things a lot and has experience with modelling cute characters. Once I was done designing a character, I would create a turn around sheet for Apryl that demonstrated how I would like the 3D model to look like, and I added measurements for certain items to make it a bit easier for her to determine the correct sizing for the 3D components.

It was a constant back and forth process of us communicating with each other since sometime’s I would ask to change the design, or request to add extra elements to the model. I belive we created a great work environment and relationship built on trust and respect for each other's practice.

PROCESS

PROCESS

Printing and Sanding

Printing and Sanding

After receiving the 3D models Apryl designed for me, I went to Toronto Public Library to print the figurines. Each figurine took from 6 to 8 hours to print at high detail. I learned a lot about 3D printing and the required materials needed to polish and smooth out the figurines. Since my designs had a lot of hanging edges it generated a lot of support towers. My figurines came out encased by these towers, and I had to carefully and patiently cut off each before sanding. After the towers and any additional plastic was cut off, I invested some time into sanding and filing off the ridges to smoothen out the surface.

After receiving the 3D models Apryl designed for me, I went to Toronto Public Library to print the figurines. Each figurine took from 6 to 8 hours to print at high detail. I learned a lot about 3D printing and the required materials needed to polish and smooth out the figurines. Since my designs had a lot of hanging edges it generated a lot of support towers. My figurines came out encased by these towers, and I had to carefully and patiently cut off each before sanding. After the towers and any additional plastic was cut off, I invested some time into sanding and filing off the ridges to smoothen out the surface.

PROCESS

PROCESS

Painting

Painting

Once I was done sanding, I washed off excess debris and then began painting my characters. I used Acrylic Paint, specifically designed for painting 3D models. The paint set came with all the essential pigments needed to mix them into the colour palette of my characters, but it was quite challenging since painting a figurine was all new to me, and getting the right pigments was rather difficult. There were moments when I accidentally smudged some paint on an already finished part, so I had to to re-make the pigment and re-paint the affected part.

Once I was done sanding, I washed off excess debris and then began painting my characters. I used Acrylic Paint, specifically designed for painting 3D models. The paint set came with all the essential pigments needed to mix them into the colour palette of my characters, but it was quite challenging since painting a figurine was all new to me, and getting the right pigments was rather difficult. There were moments when I accidentally smudged some paint on an already finished part, so I had to to re-make the pigment and re-paint the affected part.

FINAL OUTCOME

FINAL OUTCOME

The Squad's All Here!

The Squad's All Here!

I believe creating figurines out of my TeeraMizoo mascots was the best and most appropriate way to encapsulate my thesis. Being able to see my mascots in a three dimensional space and not just on my screen is a rewarding experience that I would recommend any character designer or artist to partake in atleast once in their practice. I'm concluding my thesis project in this manner, to represent and observe how even a small piece of artifact like a cute little figurine of a character, is able to evoke a unique sense of joy and contentment that deserves to be celebrated in design.

Alongside the figurines, I also designed a totebag featuring Cookie Flan that's currently up for sale. Once the pandemic has ended and the virus comes under control, I hope to create more merchandise. As of now I'm looking into vinyl, resin and also plush toy manufacturing, so that my characters can be available in a physical format for fans to enjoy in the future.

I believe creating figurines out of my TeeraMizoo mascots was the best and most appropriate way to encapsulate my thesis. Being able to see my mascots in a three dimensional space and not just on my screen is a rewarding experience that I would recommend any character designer or artist to partake in atleast once in their practice. I'm concluding my thesis project in this manner, to represent and observe how even a small piece of artifact like a cute little figurine of a character, is able to evoke a unique sense of joy and contentment that deserves to be celebrated in design.

Alongside the figurines, I also designed a totebag featuring Cookie Flan that's currently up for sale. Once the pandemic has ended and the virus comes under control, I hope to create more merchandise. As of now I'm looking into vinyl, resin and also plush toy manufacturing, so that my characters can be available in a physical format for fans to enjoy in the future.