I'm still knee-deep in preparations for upcoming projects, and not quite ready to show off pics of new sculpts and casts... But, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you guys voice your opinions and desires for what I'm doing here at Ironhaus.
So, if you please, take a few moments, and let me know what you think of what IroNilla has offered so far... This also includes criticisms, if you have them. Let me know what you think of where we have been with Universe of Violence, Gorewad Monsters, or other concepts that maybe haven't made it off of the chopping block. Let me know what you think of where we are, or where we're going while you're at it. I think this is crucial to making the Ironhaus experiment work... I'm dedicated to making toys that capture the imagination, inspire people to create, or at least offer folks a chance to capture that nostalgic "new toy" excitement.
So work with me folks. Drop a line in the comments, and help me steer the ship.
-R
I know that you often post fuzzy teaser pics of things you work on, but it irritates me sometimes because I want to see your work. I'd rather wait for finished product or at least product to the point where you can share a clear picture, then see fuzzy ones.
ReplyDeletelove uofv. Every figure so far is awesome and upcoming figures look even better. Im not big on the gorewads but people seem to love them so i guess its just not my style. I like the voting for new figures also.
ReplyDeleteI think you should hold more contests, seeing as how since you asked for feedback but it was not a contest, there have only been three comments.
ReplyDeleteJulie, are you saying that the loyal minions of the Iron Toy Cult are a bunch of prize-grubbing vultures?
DeleteI do one contest a month, already... But, we are halfway through the month of November, so I think it's time to change the program a little bit. As a compromise to Lucy (from the Peanuts cartoons, AKA Julie), my favorite suggestion or comment from this posting, will get a free prize, on Mr. Rommel's dime. How is that, for a wrinkle?
I totally disagree that the reason for the lack of responses is due to it not being a contest. Most times there's a discussion going on here, ut;s either something being shown off or a simpler question. Something as broad as "feedback on everything we do" answers can be a little more complicated and require time to consider.
DeleteAt least, that's why I haven't replied yet! I would (eventually) reply regardless of whether or not there was a contest. As it is, still thinking it over a tad.
Be that as it were, Antonio, the contest stands.
DeleteAlso, I very much value everybody's input... I won't let you guys design my toys, but I think giving you guys a chance to steer some of the line, is a good way of making it less of a schmozz than some things other toy sites are doing, while still giving you a voice. This isn't a desperate cash grab for me, and I hope the pricing reflects that. I am still learning, and making mistakes, and growing... But ultimately, everything I do is to be the best. I feel like I owe it to the craft of toy-making, to give back some of the positivity that it has granted me.
Still, I'm one guy, with one brain.... One way of thinking. Help me out guys, haha
Prizes or no prizes, i ejoy watching your work progress dude.
ReplyDeleteAND,,, im still waiting to see your first sculpts, from when you started out.
C'mon, you know you wanna show them to me :D
...
ReplyDeleteUoV are soo great and fun sculpts. The Gorewads are not really my cup of tea but UoV for sure;) I enjoy the wip`s alot and so far it`s been all fun. No dissapointmants at all! Still missing a photo contest but wtf, there have been others, too!
ReplyDeleteThought it over, here's what I've gotta say on the line.
ReplyDeleteThe absolute best thing about UoV is that the line calls to mind and focuses on the most important thing about MUSCLE to me: the U. Unusual. Had this line been steeped in wrestling motifs or rearranging existing MUSCLE body parts or doing something very repetitive like the same body with a new sculpted head, I wouldn't have been nearly as interested. Don't get me wrong, I have respect for most independent toy projects, but with yours I see a line that resonates with what I love about monsters, something that groks with my childhood self. These are a bunch of freaks I can respect and love!
You keep a regular dialogue through the blog (Eric...!), you're open to fan suggestion and input, you let us in on behind-the-scenes work, your toys may not be Chinese-production-runs-in-the-thousands cheap but they're certainly affordable, and you experiment. The only thing I think you could have remotely failed to do from the blog side of things is not deliver enough Hell Turtle!
Gorewads do not represent an aesthetic I prefer. It's not like I don't appreciate some horror and blood with my monsters, but it's something about the particular direction they take. I couldn't tell you where the line is drawn exactly between Deadface and Hammerguts, my least favorite of the three original Gorewads, for example... difficult to pinpoint. Diet Hell Turtle worked though, and I think one or two of the new designs worked for me too. Wish I could be a little more helpful here!
What I can say is that the figure SIZE that Gorewads represent is untapped for full potential. Your Halloween experimentation exemplified this. Minifigures with mini-minifigures and accessories? Do that. Do really cool things with that, like the tombstones or tiny critter snacks for larger beasties or two-part figures where both work independently or together. Sold independently or packaged together, doesn't matter to me, I just want tiny figures that put garbage like Squinkies and Fighter Pods to shame.
There's not really anything I can criticize about Universe of Violence as a line. I don't like Big Arm and... that's about it. The overall direction is fantastic and right up my alley, the variety of colors is great, and hey, those prize figures look kinda neat. ;) How about giving us more UoV releases! Oh, and HELL TURTLE. You could do an entire series of six (or four, hah!) Hell Turtles in different poses and I'd gobble that ish up so fast.
...I think I'm done.
Holy shit, Antonio... That was almost perfect.
DeleteI'm running the contest until the end of the month, still, but hot damn, Antonio hit the nail on the head, guys. This will be a tough post to top. It's full of honesty, and this is exactly the kind of commentary that I need to give you guys the best of what I have to offer.
As far as the Gorewads are concerned, I have gotten similar feedback from people on the types of sculpts that I have included, and I think you guys will be pleased with the shift... After we have taken a small break from running these (to focus on more UoV, of course! Plus to get the monsters/ghosts gimmick up and running).
Antonio, I personally want to thank you for being so candid.
-R