Andrew Bell (artist)
Encyclopedia
Andrew Bell is a British-born American artist and founder of Dead Zebra Inc. He specializes in creating collectible designer toys
. Bell also works in a variety of other mediums from illustrations and paintings to sculptures. Much of his work is brought together by a sense of humor that often belies a more serious and sombre message. His company and toys have been featured in publications such as the New York Times. In addition to his extensive toy and art catalog, he has also published three books of drawings.
career as an intern at Marvel Comics
while attending the School of Visual Arts
in New York. After completing his internship, he continued to work there for another 2 years as a freelance designer. From 2000 to 2005, he worked for Nickelodeon
as a Senior Designer. Bell left Nickelodeon
in 2005 in order to focus on his own projects and his company, Dead Zebra.
s, sculptures and toys which have all been featured in a variety of exhibitions. His art exhibitions have been produced for national and international audiences and showcase some of his more intricate pieces. In a 2009 exhibition he presented his Darth Vader
Helmet at The Andy Warhol Museum
.
Bell has contributed to expanding what was once a small coterie, into a more mainstream audience. His collaboration with companies such as Google
have opened up awareness of designer toys
to new audiences. His collaboration with Google resulted in a set of vinyl collectible figurines based on the mascot for the popular Android operating system. These figurines have become very popular with enthusiasts. To date, there is a 12-piece series 1, 3 special edition figurines, and one DIY blank model. Many of the figurines have been sold out and can only be found through online auction sites like eBay
or private collectors. A series 2 set of figurines will be released in early March 2011.
Bell also collaborated with MyPlasticHeart which resulted in a limited special edition vinyl toy inspired by the site's logo. This toy was aimed more at long time urban vinyl collectors who have an affinity to the site. The toy was entitled A-Type - Rai Red Edition. The name A-Type has a number of different connotations that helped describe the design of the toy.
In addition to his collaborations Bell has produced some platform and original designs. His first toy, produced in 2005 was entitled Groob. He produced a custom kidrobot
in 2009 entitled Kidreaper15. This piece featured a glow in the dark skeleton and included a fabric cloak and a scythe. Another example of Bell's original designs is the O-No Sushi series of toys. The piece is based on a witty and artistic take on Japanese food.
. The first is entitled I Am Plastic by Paul Budnitz
The second was entitled I Am Plastic Too:The Next Generation of Designer Toys also written by Paul Budnitz
.
Designer toys
Designer toys is a term used to describe toys and other collectibles that are produced in limited editions and created by artists and designers. Designer toys are made of variety of materials; ABS plastic and vinyl are most common, although wood, metal, and resin are occasionally used. The term...
. Bell also works in a variety of other mediums from illustrations and paintings to sculptures. Much of his work is brought together by a sense of humor that often belies a more serious and sombre message. His company and toys have been featured in publications such as the New York Times. In addition to his extensive toy and art catalog, he has also published three books of drawings.
Career
Bell began his Graphic ArtsGraphic arts
A type of fine art, graphic art covers a broad range of art forms. Graphic art is typically two-dimensional and includes calligraphy, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, lithography, typography, serigraphy , and bindery. Graphic art also consists of drawn plans and layouts for interior...
career as an intern at Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
while attending the School of Visual Arts
School of Visual Arts
The School of Visual Arts , is a proprietary art school located in Manhattan, New York City, and is widely considered to be one of the leading art schools in the United States. It was established in 1947 by co-founders Silas H. Rhodes and Burne Hogarth as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School and...
in New York. After completing his internship, he continued to work there for another 2 years as a freelance designer. From 2000 to 2005, he worked for Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
as a Senior Designer. Bell left Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
in 2005 in order to focus on his own projects and his company, Dead Zebra.
Artwork
Bell has produced many forms of art, including drawings, paintingPainting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s, sculptures and toys which have all been featured in a variety of exhibitions. His art exhibitions have been produced for national and international audiences and showcase some of his more intricate pieces. In a 2009 exhibition he presented his Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
Helmet at The Andy Warhol Museum
The Andy Warhol Museum
The Andy Warhol Museum, located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single artist...
.
Toy Production
In the realm of designer toysDesigner toys
Designer toys is a term used to describe toys and other collectibles that are produced in limited editions and created by artists and designers. Designer toys are made of variety of materials; ABS plastic and vinyl are most common, although wood, metal, and resin are occasionally used. The term...
Bell has contributed to expanding what was once a small coterie, into a more mainstream audience. His collaboration with companies such as Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
have opened up awareness of designer toys
Designer toys
Designer toys is a term used to describe toys and other collectibles that are produced in limited editions and created by artists and designers. Designer toys are made of variety of materials; ABS plastic and vinyl are most common, although wood, metal, and resin are occasionally used. The term...
to new audiences. His collaboration with Google resulted in a set of vinyl collectible figurines based on the mascot for the popular Android operating system. These figurines have become very popular with enthusiasts. To date, there is a 12-piece series 1, 3 special edition figurines, and one DIY blank model. Many of the figurines have been sold out and can only be found through online auction sites like eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
or private collectors. A series 2 set of figurines will be released in early March 2011.
Bell also collaborated with MyPlasticHeart which resulted in a limited special edition vinyl toy inspired by the site's logo. This toy was aimed more at long time urban vinyl collectors who have an affinity to the site. The toy was entitled A-Type - Rai Red Edition. The name A-Type has a number of different connotations that helped describe the design of the toy.
In addition to his collaborations Bell has produced some platform and original designs. His first toy, produced in 2005 was entitled Groob. He produced a custom kidrobot
Kidrobot
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 and the number...
in 2009 entitled Kidreaper15. This piece featured a glow in the dark skeleton and included a fabric cloak and a scythe. Another example of Bell's original designs is the O-No Sushi series of toys. The piece is based on a witty and artistic take on Japanese food.
Publications
Bell has published 3 books of drawings.The First book was a small softcover book entitled You've Gone Too far. This was a very limited run of only 666 books. Bell's second book was entitled Now You've Done It : A Collection of Creatures. His latest book is entitled Do Not Eat! : A Collection of Creatures by Andrew Bell. In addition to his own books, Bell's work has been featured in 2 other books about designer toysDesigner toys
Designer toys is a term used to describe toys and other collectibles that are produced in limited editions and created by artists and designers. Designer toys are made of variety of materials; ABS plastic and vinyl are most common, although wood, metal, and resin are occasionally used. The term...
. The first is entitled I Am Plastic by Paul Budnitz
Paul Budnitz
Paul Budnitz is the President, founder, and creative director of Kidrobot Inc., creator of designer art toys and fashion apparel. He is also an Executive Producer for San Francisco-based digital animation company, W!LDBRAIN....
The second was entitled I Am Plastic Too:The Next Generation of Designer Toys also written by Paul Budnitz
Paul Budnitz
Paul Budnitz is the President, founder, and creative director of Kidrobot Inc., creator of designer art toys and fashion apparel. He is also an Executive Producer for San Francisco-based digital animation company, W!LDBRAIN....
.