Kidrobot
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Collectible Toys, Clothing, Art |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado, United States |
Key people | Paul Budnitz |
| Website | http://www.kidrobot.com/ |
Kidrobot is a producer and retailer of designer toys founded in 2002 by Paul Budnitz, specializing in artist-created toys and imports from Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. Kidrobot also makes Kidrobot Mascots, which are figures of their main logo. These figures are usually nicknamed KR (Kidrobot's common nickname) and the number of the Mascot. For example, the first Mascot was KR1. Some figures also have names; for example, KR1 was called Brooklyn. There are 20 Mascots so far, the newest of which being KR20: kidolaf by the beast brothers. Kidrobot is owned by Wild Brain, and not affiliated with Giant Robot, the magazine of Asian American pop culture, or the retail stores of the same name. In August 2008, Kidrobot collaborated with jewelry designer, Tarina Tarantino, to launch a limited edition jewelry line, kidrobot by Tarina Tarantino.
Location
Kidrobot has a commercial website, as well operating retail stores in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Las Vegas and London, UK. The store in Dallas, Texas closed in 2010. A selection of Kidrobot figures are carried by Urban Outfitters and Barnes and Noble, both online and in its retail stores across the U.S.
Toys and collectibles
Most items are produced in limited numbers and are, or become, collector's items. Each of the three retail stores features a gallery of designer toys and related art, and often host artist signings to commemorate the release of limited-edition figures, such as the Bondage Labbit by Frank Kozik. Collectible Dunnys have been sold in limited edition box sets. "Kidrobot toys retail anywhere from $5 to $25,000, and many appreciate in value over time." [1] Many older Dunnys are very rare and can only be found online through websites such as eBay or Amazon at higher prices than the original Kidrobot retail pricing.
As a producer of designer toys, Kidrobot is known for its proprietary Dunny and Munny figures, soft vinyl figurines which resemble cartoon animals based on urban graffiti and stencil art. Artists and designers are commissioned to create Dunnys, while Munnys are released unpainted as "blank canvas" do-it-yourself pieces. Contributing artists include Tara McPherson, Swizz Beatz, Ed Templeton, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park, Fort Minor), Shepard Fairey (Obey Giant), Joe Doucet, Futura 2000 (Mo'Wax), Devisu, Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl, Gorillaz), MF DOOM (Madvillain), Huck Gee, JK5 (Joseph Aloi), Clutter Magazine, and Mark Hoppus (blink-182, Atticus).
Apparel
In addition to toys and dolls, Kidrobot produces apparel, particularly screen-printed t-shirts and hoodies featuring Kidrobot characters. The new clothing line for women and men comes in funky bright and colorful colors combined with artistic never before seen characters.
Feature film
On September 9, 2008, Variety reported a film based on the toy merchandise is in development. It will be produced by Nickelodeon Movies and W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, while it will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.[2][3] The release date is unknown.