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 Designer
profile: Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
By
Karen Mendez Smith
March 1, 2003
Although
she trained as a Graphic Designer, for over a decade Roxi Price
has created fabulous furry creatures for Folkmanis, the premiere
true-to-life plush puppet company. During that time, her huggable
birds, forest animals and fish have consistently won almost every
parenting publication and toy industry award. We were fortunate
to talk with Roxi and have her share a few insights into creating
some of the most beloved toys on the market today.
KMS: Every time I'm in a toy store, there's always a flock
of kids around the Folkmanis display. They're talking and squawking,
barking and flopping around-having the time of their lives. How
does it make you feel to know that your designs connect so beautifully
with little people?
RP: I always love to see kids, and adults, playing with my
puppets in stores. I usually just want to stand back and watch,
but sometimes I talk to the kids, and if I can, I like to talk to
the store sales people. I also like to fluff up the puppets, straighten
them all out, and get them looking their best.
KMS: Where do you find most of your inspiration?
RP: Mostly from studying animals. I also like to read kids
magazines, talk to kids, and try to look at the world from their
perspective. It helps that I have two granddaughters and other young
people in my family.
KMS: We've heard that you've traveled the world to research
animals close-up. What was the most fascinating animal you've encountered?
Will you ever make it into a puppet?
Timber Wolf Puppet |
RP:
I do like to see animals in their natural habitat. It's amazing.
The most fascinating animal I have seen is the Wild Dog (or Painted
Dog) of Africa. I saw a group of them in the Okavango Delta, in
Botswana. I was able to observe them caring for their young, and
was fortunate enough to follow along while they hunted. I've never
been able to find a fabric that I thought would work for the Wild
Dog, so, for now, it isn't on our list of upcoming puppets.
KMS: Describe what it's like when a design idea "gels" for
you.
RP: It's very rewarding to come up with an idea, spend days
and sometimes weeks working on it, and have the final sample look
great. It is like putting a complicated puzzle together, and when
I get to the point that I know all the pieces will fit perfectly,
it's exciting.
KMS: What do your two grandchildren (what ages now?) think
about your work?
RP: My granddaughters are 4 1/2 and 3 years old. Of course
they have lots of Grandma's puppets and sort of understand that
I make them. They call my workroom, "Grandma's animal room." They
definitely recognize Folkmanis puppets in the stores. They love
to do puppet shows and, naturally, I love to be the audience.
KMS: What's the best thing about working in the toy business?
What's the worst thing?
RP: The best thing is that I get to play with toys every
day. The worst thing, I think, is trying to figure out what kind
of puppet will sell well. Very often my favorite puppets are not
the best sellers.
KMS: If you could create anything in the world, even if it
wasn't a puppet, what would it be?
RP: I would love to be able to paint using watercolors. I've
tried it off and on, but someday I would really like to concentrate
on it.
Roxi, thanks for spending time with us!
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