New to Construction and Seeking Advice Posted by Amazonian on Apr 16, 2009
Hello,
My name is Crystal, and I'd like to say I really appreciate the help and advice made available through your forums here. Hopefully this is the right place to be asking all these questions, and if not, I apologize.
I'm a designer in Seattle, working with a local dragonboating team (think rowing, but more frantic). Originally I was only redesigning their logo, but they loved the mascot character so much they told me they wanted me to build a poseable 2-d version of her to ride in the boat, pose in pictures, ect. I have very little experience building anything like this, and would appreciate any advice that you can give me.
First of all, here is the character design:
She's done in vector graphics, and the final figure will be 30-36 inches tall. The obvious solution to make a 2d 'puppet' is to print out the various body parts onto a sturdy material, attach the limbs, and call it good, but I have few concerns:
1. The Body
The structure needs to be water-resistant, durable, and lightweight. Right now I'm looking at Creatology Fun Foam, from Michael's. If anyone has additional suggestions for a different material, or advice for working with this foam, please let me know.
2. The Printing
The graphics can't be printed directly on the foam, so I'll need to print them onto a waterproof surface, then glue it to the foam (probably with a rubber cement or spray glue). I'm considering add an additional layer of protection by laminating the printed graphics before gluing them to the foam, but I worry that will add a lot more shine and glare to the final figure. Can anyone offer any better suggestions?
3. The Joints
Currently, I'm thinking that the flexible joints would be best built using snaps, such as for clothing. This would be poseable, and allow the puppet to be taken apart to be packed up easily for road trips or to change the accessories (such as different hands, or changing the side the paddle is held on). I've never worked with these before, though, and am uncertain how to best mount them solidly to foam. If anyone has experience or advice to secure the snaps, or a better idea for the joints, I'm very open to advice.
My name is Crystal, and I'd like to say I really appreciate the help and advice made available through your forums here. Hopefully this is the right place to be asking all these questions, and if not, I apologize.
I'm a designer in Seattle, working with a local dragonboating team (think rowing, but more frantic). Originally I was only redesigning their logo, but they loved the mascot character so much they told me they wanted me to build a poseable 2-d version of her to ride in the boat, pose in pictures, ect. I have very little experience building anything like this, and would appreciate any advice that you can give me.
First of all, here is the character design:
She's done in vector graphics, and the final figure will be 30-36 inches tall. The obvious solution to make a 2d 'puppet' is to print out the various body parts onto a sturdy material, attach the limbs, and call it good, but I have few concerns:
1. The Body
The structure needs to be water-resistant, durable, and lightweight. Right now I'm looking at Creatology Fun Foam, from Michael's. If anyone has additional suggestions for a different material, or advice for working with this foam, please let me know.
2. The Printing
The graphics can't be printed directly on the foam, so I'll need to print them onto a waterproof surface, then glue it to the foam (probably with a rubber cement or spray glue). I'm considering add an additional layer of protection by laminating the printed graphics before gluing them to the foam, but I worry that will add a lot more shine and glare to the final figure. Can anyone offer any better suggestions?
3. The Joints
Currently, I'm thinking that the flexible joints would be best built using snaps, such as for clothing. This would be poseable, and allow the puppet to be taken apart to be packed up easily for road trips or to change the accessories (such as different hands, or changing the side the paddle is held on). I've never worked with these before, though, and am uncertain how to best mount them solidly to foam. If anyone has experience or advice to secure the snaps, or a better idea for the joints, I'm very open to advice.
Re: New to Construction and Seeking Advice Posted by Shawn on Apr 17, 2009
I love this 2d puppet concept! Much like a paper doll only bigger. 
There are printing companies that well print things in large format on "plastic" board. Have you thought of going that route. I am not sure what "Creatology Fun Foam" but have a feeling it is the same thing that these companies print on. You see signs made of it all the time.
The snaps are a brilliant idea. You would want to use snaps that are applied like a grommet. You don't want the sew on type. As long as there is not too much stress on the joints this should hold up pretty well. What you might want to do is glue a square of heavy fabric to the board on one side before you make the hole to put the snap grommet in. This well give you a bit of reinforcement and prolong the life of your puppet.
There are printing companies that well print things in large format on "plastic" board. Have you thought of going that route. I am not sure what "Creatology Fun Foam" but have a feeling it is the same thing that these companies print on. You see signs made of it all the time.
The snaps are a brilliant idea. You would want to use snaps that are applied like a grommet. You don't want the sew on type. As long as there is not too much stress on the joints this should hold up pretty well. What you might want to do is glue a square of heavy fabric to the board on one side before you make the hole to put the snap grommet in. This well give you a bit of reinforcement and prolong the life of your puppet.
Re: New to Construction and Seeking Advice Posted by miguel on Apr 17, 2009
to P&S 
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