Gary Taxali maintains a studio in the Junction neighborhood of Toronto, Ontario, an area close to the junction of four railway lines called the West Toronto Diamond. The building itself is a converted 1929 felt factory. His studio has fantastic northern light, and to avoid distraction, Taxali has no telephone or Internet access. He does all his work there, from drawing and ideation to painting and screen printing final pieces.
How did the idea for the toys develop?
gary taxali: The idea for these toys is based on characters within my work. I used imagery from my fine art and from my other designer toy projects as a starting point. From there, I imagined how my characters would translate into the shape of the templates Indigo provided and made adjustments accordingly. I think the final results are interesting and exciting transformative objects based on the characters that people know from my work. Unlike previous toys I’ve created, these could actually be played with, so in that sense, they are true toys.
Who is the audience? Collectors, kids, etc.?
The audience for these toys includes small children and collectors alike. People buy them for an array of different purposes. Some choose to display them and preserve them as a collector’s item, while others buy them as gifts for children.
What is your background as it relates to typography?
I employ as much typography as I can within my work. In this project, I incorporated my own font called Chumply in the package designs and also created handmade logotypes. Typography is an important aspect of my work. I treat it on the same level of visual and conceptual significance as I do drawn elements. In some cases, it’s texture; other times, it’s an important part of the idea. I love the interplay between words and pictures. To me, when the balance is right, it makes for wonderful harmony in a piece.
Where do you look for typographic inspiration?
My typographic inspiration comes from old packaging design, specifically from the 1930s and ’40s. The type used in vintage posters and packages from across different cultures is exceptionally beautiful. I see inspiration everywhere, and sometimes it’s in the most banal places, like a handmade sign for an auto body shop.
Who are some of the designers whose work you admire?
I admire the work of Chip Kidd, and also John Gall. Both designers make beautiful book jackets. They have classic design skills coupled with wit and sophistication that make for some of the most beautiful graphics I have ever seen. I have been lucky to work with both designers, who succeeded in bringing out the best in me.
title: Gary Taxali Wooden Toy Classics
client: Indigo
hand letterer/illustrator: Gary Taxali
medium: Mixed media
country: Canada
Taxali called this a “dream assignment,” one that allowed him an incredible showcase for his work, right down to the package design, which he created himself.
Taxali designed his own custom typeface, Chumply, and likes to use typography in both his commercial and fine art work.
