Paul Budnitz and Tristan Eaton developed the Kidrobot “mascot” in 2002. This commanding figure quickly became a platform toy of its own, masquerading as a Pirate, Ninja, Viking and multiple other personas, always with a subtle twist that keeps the character true to the Kidrobot brand. Limited-edition 8-inch vinyl Kidrobots have been released in numbered editions since 2003, often customized by some of the world’s most talented artists and designers, making them highly sought after and collectible. The collection built around the Kidrobot icon has expanded to include key chains, zipper pulls, mini figures and apparel.

Over the past 10 years, Kidrobot has led the booming counterculture phenomenon called urban vinyl by collaborating with the world’s preeminent artists, designers, illustrators and brands to blend pop culture and street trends into technically innovative, collectible pieces of sculpture.

2003

In 2003, Kidrobot produced its very first artist figure, Cheech Wizard, by the late great underground comic artist Vaughn Bodé. Cheech Wizard was originally inked in 1957 and ran in the “Funny Pages” of National Lampoon magazine from 1967 to 1975 but lives on to this day as a popular image used around the world in graffiti murals. Following Cheech Wizard, the grimacing smile of Kidrobot was brought to life in 7 inches of glorious vinyl with Kidrobot 01 Brooklyn Edition.

2004

Budnitz crossed creative wires with toy designer and graffiti artist Tristan Eaton to invent one of the most recognizable and beloved art toys of all time: Dunny. Described by Tristan as a cross between a bunny and a devil, Dunny debuted in 8-inch and 3-inch artist editions. Around this same time, Kidrobot made a brilliant and bold statement in collaborating with the high-end magazine, Visionaire. Issue number 44 “TOYS” and issue 45 “MORE TOYS” included four exclusive sets of limited-edition figures designed by the biggest names in the fashion world, including Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton and many more.

2005

2005 saw an explosion of art toy epicness. Paul teamed up with Tristan Eaton once again to invent the world’s greatest do-it-yourself platform toy: MUNNY. Then, from the twisted imagination of rock poster legend Frank Kozik, came the sarcastic and dirty Smorkin’ Labbit, bred in 10-inch and 1.5-inch sizes, complete with smork, stubble and butthole. In 2005, Kidrobot also collaborated with renowned graffiti artist Dalek to design the Ice Bots, Kidrobot’s very first artist mini series, along with Dalek’s staple graffiti character, Ice Monkey. The music and fashion worlds were later rocked when Kidrobot launched monumental collaborations with Gorillaz (the animated band), Nike, Barneys and Huck Gee, where the Skullhead icon was transformed into a 1/6th figure and styled by fashion virtuosi like Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander and others.

2006

Kidrobot continued to redefine the urban art toy world with its graffiti-inspired figure, FatCap. Similar to Dunnys, FatCaps come in different sizes and are designed by street artists from around the globe. 2006 marked a historical moment in designer toy history as Huck Gee’s now-classic design, “Hello My Name Is” Dunny, was inducted into the MoMA’s permanent collection. Kidrobot pushed the limits of pop culture and art with Frank Kozik’s satirical bust “The Bird Is The Word,” a.k.a., Mickey Mao, Doze Green’s urban vinyl relic, the Ganesh and Kidrobot’s production of Mori Chack’s grimly—accurate little pink bear, known as Gloomy. The cute and quirky world of YUMMY was created by Heidi Kenney with the first release of YUMMY Donut keychains.

2007

2007 proved to be another phenomenal year with new toy collaborations illuminating various corners of art and pop culture. From the world of hip-hop, Kidrobot released Stones Throw Records’ Mad Villain and eBoy’s PEECOLated version of Swizz Beatz. Other tantalizing, unexpected and elusive figures were also unveiled, like Junko Mizuno’s Kaori the Nurse, Bill McMullen’s Shuttlemax and Commander Dunny, the Drunk Frog In A Bear Suit by TNES of Hippo Esthetics, and the PEECOL’s über-rare superhero NUKE by eBoy fueled the collector fire.

2008

In 2008, Kidrobot busted out more street-art-inspired pieces, including Krink’s Mailbox and Lady Aiko’s Spray Bunny. Cartoons came to life with the first blind-boxed mini series of The Simpsons and a host of animated stars from Adult Swim. Playboy titillated the toy world with a vinyl interpretation of Miss November 1978, Monique St. Pierre, by award-winning comic artist Paul Pope and Hugh Hefner, a.k.a. HEF, as a PEECOL by eBoy.

2009

There was no slowing down in 2009, as Kidrobot flourished with the invention of MUNNYWORLD and new DIY figures, RAFFY, TRIKKY, BUB and ROOZ, plus a fresh batch of Heidi Kenney’s YUMMY plush donuts, as well as larger figures from The Simpsons, including Ralph Wiggum. There were many impressive art-driven designs, such as Amanda Visell’s San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Wood Labbit, Anton Ginzburg’s Totem Doppelgangers, Kronk’s squirrelly soldier Nutter and Tara McPherson’s hyper mini series, Gamma Mutant Space Friends. Kidrobot linked back up with Stones Throw Records to create Mad Lib’s heavy-burning, brick-heaving anteater, Quasimoto.

2010

2010 brought a range of multi-artist collaborations. Kidrobot introduced the Sanrio collaboration, featuring the twisted interpretations of Hello Kitty, Chococat and Badtz Maru by Frank Kozik, Junko Mizuno, Tara McPherson and Amanda Visell, respectively. Kidrobot stepped up to the mic with the stylized vinyl versions of hip-hop trio De La Soul, as well as the 10-inch resin piece, Vandal Express, by graffiti legend SEEN, capped off by Brandt Peters’ monotone Dead Bunny and Carnies mini series.

2011

In 2011, Kidrobot expanded the DIY universe with the creation of new MUNNYWORLD figures, FOOMI and KRACKA. Gary Baseman stirred the pot with his High Priest of Toby and Toby’s Secret Society mini series, the first blind box series that included every figure in each case. NYC trendsetter Jeff Staple came out to create his mascot, the Staple Pigeon. Jesse Hernandez brought the heat with his San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, El Bandito Muerto. Kozik’s Labbit was taken to new heights with Kronk’s 7-inch original Yankee Pig Dog Labbit.

2012

After 10 years, Kidrobot continues to unapologetically destroy the boundaries of art, design, toys and apparel. Many of the 10th year’s limited-edition pieces push production with shiny sculptural attributes, resulting in some of the most sought after figures to date. There was a real gold rush at San Diego Comic-Con for Matt Groening’s exclusive Homer Buddha Golden Edition. Parra’s Pierced eloquently captures the Dutch artist’s charismatic style and impresses from every angle. Kozik’s iconic Labbit undergoes another size mutation to 2.5 inches with the first artist mini series, 8 Deadly Sins by Kronk. The DIY universe expands once again with new 7-inch versions of MUNNYWORLD faces, TRIKKY, FOOMI and RAFFY.