Transformers’ Toy Design

29 Jun 2007 Category: Arts & Crafts, Features, Film / Animation, Japan

Transformers’ Toy Design

The "Classic Mirage" prototype in dramatic action pose! Designed by Alex Kubalsky. Photo by Motoki Takaya © TOMY / Hasbro

This is gonna be all about Autobots and Decepticons! With the Transformers movie coming out July 3rd, 2007 - damn, in Japan we have to wait until August 4th! - the long ongoing Transformers franchise is still in full mode, including comic books, TV series, a toy line and now also a game, of course. But the toys! Who makes these miraculously transforming toys that change between two or more shapes?
PingMag got hold of Australian Alex Kubalsky of Takaratomy in Tokyo, who not only happens to be the sole foreign toy designer in Japan - he also designed all the transformations for Transformer’s Bumblebee, Mirage and more cute fan gear!

Written by Verena

This is how it all started: The transformation stages of the “squid woman”, a toy made after a dream Alex had when he was a kid. Drawing made in 2000. © Alexander Kubalsky

You are a toy designer in Japan! How did it all begin?

I was really into stop-frame animation in high school in Melbourne doing super-8 animations with LEGO. I loved stop motion and I couldn’t draw that well, so I just built the complicated stuff in LEGO. After school, I did a one-year film course and used to draw strips of cartoons.

Alex Kubalsky with his “Ambu”: a humanoid robot that transformes into a butterfly and a bird, as seen above. Amazing! © Alexander Kubalsky

But you didn’t continue…?

I was always frustrated that I couldn’t draw as well as the Japanese Manga guys, and I just wanted to challenge myself. I had one solid idea for a science fiction story that I wanted to implement either as film or as drawn animation. Only, I just couldn’t draw the robots and the robotic machinery for that.


“Ambu” as transformed into a butterfly. Made in 2002. © Alexander Kubalsky

Close-up of “Ambu.” © Alexander Kubalsky

You told me before that you got into design first?

Yes I tried to get into industrial design but didn’t: I got top marks for the portfolio and the interview - but there was this drawing test. In the end, I just ran out of time and I failed miserably. But you know that a lot of the working designers drop out and don’t finish anyway…

Alex’ original drawings of the Transformer’s “Classic Mirage” robot including its parts. © TOMY / Hasbro

Alex’ “Classic Mirage” in three-quarter view. © TOMY / Hasbro

Regarding Transformers as influence, I bet you saw the TV series as a kid?

Indeed, that may have been a bigger inspiration being a kid of eleven or twelve years: Transformers was one of several transforming animation series during the 80s. Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker had stop motion of a dancing robot and computer animation of a transforming car. Also, I had like six or seven of the Transformers toys and was collecting them at flea markets while in high school. That was back when Japanese toys were seen as cheap knockoffs.


Alex’ transformation of the “Classic Mirage” prototype, part 1 © TOMY / Hasbro

“Classic Mirage” prototype transformation, stage 2 © TOMY / Hasbro

“Classic Mirage’s” transformation, nearly finished © TOMY / Hasbro.

Et Voilà! © TOMY / Hasbro.

So, how did you get into the actual transforming then?

When I was twenty-two, I went backpacking around Europe with my girlfriend. As I had never been away as long as six months without drawing anything or doing stop motion animation, I got more and more restless to get back into something. So, while I was travelling, I started having these visions of the “squid women,” that’s what I called it: a submarine that transforms into a lady in a dress and flys through space. Actually, she was based on two incidents from my childhood.

The “Classic Mirage” prototype in posed action. Photo by Motoki Takaya © TOMY / Hasbro

From your childhood?

Yes, one was Mary Poppins, because on a school trip at the age of seven I went to see the movie at the theatre. When she flew across the screen with her umbrella - that really spooked me!

Cool dude! Photo by Motoki Takaya © TOMY / Hasbro

You got into transforming because of Mary Poppins! What was the other incident?

The other incident was an amazing dream I had when I was a kid, which I wrote down: It was in the middle of the day when a train was stopped between two stations and people were running from it. All the doors were open, so I got on and could see this woman in a purple dress floating her way towards me. It was Mary Poppins! Then I dived into a black swamp and she dived in after me. It felt like there was some sort of squid in the water. Then I woke up, but I didn’t actually as I was stuck in Kanashibari - when your mind is awake but your body is still asleep. So, I couldn’t see anything and felt this hot breathing on my left cheek like somebody was hovering over me. First I thought there was something else in the room until I woke up…

A sleek “Classic Mirage” prototype, more gliding than walking. Photo by Motoki Takaya © TOMY / Hasbro

Again, you had this “squid women” vision, and afterwards you made a toy out of it?


The “Mirage” in its actual plastic toy appearance. “I wanted to look him like a 70’s dude in bell-bottoms,” Alex explains.

Basically, when I was backpacking I kept having this vision of a squid-like submarine change into this woman. So I went back to Melbourne and built that toy and several others with vacform sculpting - then took them to Japan.

That got you the job as toy designer in Japan?

I came to Japan on a working holiday visa and said ‘I’m going to be a toy designer!’ I couldn’t find work with a toy company. Although they liked my ideas, language was a big issue. The first time I stayed for three months short of three years, saved $20,000 from teaching English part-time and being an extra in TV commercials and kept drawing all the time. Then, I returned to Melbourne for fourteen months. There, it took me a year to build a new toy with 174 pieces: “AMBU,” for “audio man butterfly unit.” It is a black dude in a white jumpsuit that transforms into a bird and then in a butterfly; when he transforms it looks like he is break dancing. I wouldn’t leave the room until it was finished. When I went out, I used to carry it around with me all the time because I was paranoid about leaving it. Then, I took it to Medicom who make the Kubrick toys.

Alex’ original blueprint of the “Bumblebee Camaro” on milimetre paper, all of the 74 parts included © TOMY / Hasbro

And they hired you because of “Ambu”?

No. They thought it was nuts! They did collaborations with known artists from New York, so they surely weren’t going to spend $100,000 for a 174-piece model by an unknown artist. A few months later, I approached Takaratomy: I called them up on Boxing Day, and a week later I showed them my stuff. However, they said it was art and not toys.

Transformed “Classic Bumblebee” protoype, done by Alex © TOMY / Hasbro.

Oh no! What did you do then?

Well, we kept in touch. After a year nothing came of it, I was just about to leave Japan to start stop animation in England. Suddenly in 2005, Takaratomy told me to come in and talk. But I didn’t have anything to show him and only four days left! So, I made a little Transformers emblem that transformed into a lion and worked around the clock to present it. But then they just said ‘You didn’t have to make that.’ Based on my more humanoid designs, they wanted me to develop a new line of toys…

More views of the “Classic Bumblebee” prototype © TOMY / Hasbro.

Transformers! Once again, the toy line is a collaboration between the Japanese manufacturer Takaratomy and its American equivalent Hasbro. As you mentioned before, your work process would usually be: Hasbro comes up with a concept for a toy and you are the designer that builds it. I guess that is quite complicated…

Basically, I’m an inventor and a character designer and my input is bringing everything into 3D reality and adding cool character dimensions like feature weapons and funny things to it: I do the part lists, draw the blueprints and then draw a 10 or 12 frame short animation to show how the toy would transform. I do this based off Hasbro concepts as well as my own characters and concepts that are okayed by Hasbro. They are a great team to work with.

Look closer - the protoype’s smiling face! © TOMY / Hasbro.

And you did all of the Bumblebee transformations?

From the first day I started at Takaratomy I have always done Bumblebee.

Even in the movie trailer he is the main guy…

Two years ago,my first toy was a new interpretation of it: like a Citroen 206 with about 40 parts which took me about a month. Originally as it was a small car, it was going to need something extra. So I designed a jet pack for it. Not many people realize my design motif, but its supposed to look like it has got big sneakers and a hoodie on and pockets…

… and a smiling face!

That was the other point, when I was handing the model maker the blueprints, I asked him to put a smile on its face. As far as I know, this is the first Transformer with a smile!


The MP3 player transformation as part of the “Transformers” movie merchandise now on the shelves, developed by Alex.

The MP3 player is growing wings…

… and transforms into…

… a bird creature! All done by Alex Kubalsky.

What did you transform apart from Bumblebee?

For the Transformer movie, the characters have been already set by Dreamworks so we were doing just the transformations and a lot of the movie-related stuff. Also, there is a toy series for kids of real products like MP3 players that turn into robot creatures and run around; we expanded on that.
[pictured above]

What else?

I did Classic Mirage. A toy with 19 points of articulation. But right now I am designing toys that won’t come out before the end of 2007 or in 2008: a game controller that transforms into something. Apart from that, I am not allowed to tell you more about my other projects…


Close-up of the MP3 player prototype by Alex. © TOMY / Hasbro.

A close-up of the prototype’s equalisers transformed into a wing. © TOMY / Hasbro.

How do you usually start with the creation process?

I put on my headphones, listen to music and close my eyes - and most of the stuff is in my head. When I was a kid I spent hours and hours with LEGO. I would go to bed and still be thinking of LEGO in my head.

Really? No 3D software involved?

No, I draw everything on millimetre paper, including every part. It is all in my head!

Amazing! Again, the transforming process is about changing in two or into three different shapes. Please explain a bit about the whole thing…

Apart from Origami, of course, i think the concept came from Japan in the 70s from Yusha Raideen, an animated TV series of a bird that turns into a robot, controlled by a guy. There are toys that change into six stages, the more objects there are the more abstract it gets. However, there have been very few triple-change toys that look good in all three modes.


No sketch by Alex, but from “Transformers” the movie: Optimus Prime in action! © Paramount Pictures / Hasbro

The transformation itself is the art form?

As we are trying to do more characteristic characters that don’t just go beating people up, we want to create unique individualistic characters that have expressive transformations! For example, if the character is a villain, it would be good if he revealed his face like opening an evil cloak. If he is a hero he would come out punching.

What would you like to design that hasn’t been designed yet?

Just an odd object that transforms into another odd object for no reason. Just so because it looks interesting as it transforms. It is not so much about what it is in a and b - but the path itself is c. The transformation itself is the interesting thing!

Sounds very Buddhist, as in The Path is the Goal! Awesome, a whole new form of art - the way a toy transforms cleverly and utmost elegant. Thank you, Alex Kubalsky from Takaratomy!

“Autobot Jazz”, from “Transformers” the movie, out July 3rd. © Paramount Pictures / Hasbro

94 Comments

  1. Transformers! More than meets the eye!
    Transformers! Robots in disguise!

    Posted by: MK on June 29th, 2007 at 7:48 pm

  2. Awesome! i want that!

    Posted by: Happa on June 29th, 2007 at 10:52 pm

  3. So interesting!I like these things!

    Posted by: soold on June 30th, 2007 at 1:54 am

  4. I’m glad to see the original prototypes, because the process sounds really orginal.

    Posted by: glyph on June 30th, 2007 at 2:05 am

  5. This is not a “new” art form and there are many that appreciate and participate in the joys of the art of transformation. Lets take this to a new level, lets put down the toys and transform this planet or there will bee no toys to be transformed except into ash.

    Posted by: eppbot on June 30th, 2007 at 2:27 am

  6. wow! so cool!

    Posted by: skull_lab on June 30th, 2007 at 4:50 am

  7. Such a good article.

    Posted by: Badger on June 30th, 2007 at 5:03 am

  8. WOW
    .
    .
    .that is pretty awesome!

    Posted by: HDR Photography on June 30th, 2007 at 7:08 am

  9. Great article. I’ve always wanted to do what he’s doing.

    Posted by: Sean on June 30th, 2007 at 11:01 am

  10. This is so cool!

    Posted by: vaneea on June 30th, 2007 at 3:41 pm

  11. [...] text,images source: pingmag [...]

    Posted by: dérive » Blog Archive » Transformers on June 30th, 2007 at 9:55 pm

  12. Man, I just came back from watching Transformers at the cinemas… and then I go and find this wicked article about a toy designer that does Transformers?!

    WTF?! PingMag, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you guys are AWESOME! ^___^

    I love LEGO, I love Transformers, I love PingMag!

    Posted by: G on July 1st, 2007 at 12:35 am

  13. How come no one is saying anything about all this marketing tie-in bul! Bumble Bee is CALLED Bumble Bee because he is a BUG car. Now he’s a Camero?! Absurd.

    Posted by: ralph on July 1st, 2007 at 1:31 am

  14. Bumble Bee is called Bumble Bee because he’s yellow and black and his head looks like a bug’s in robot mode.

    Ya Doofus.

    J.

    Posted by: J on July 1st, 2007 at 6:12 am

  15. Wow…. I never imagined that old little Marry Poppins could inspire someone in such a way….

    Was there a scene in that film with children that have been stuck up a chimney so long that they had turned brown n black from all the soot??

    Does Alex make these transformers for himself or for takaratomy

    Posted by: SHANTELL MARTIN on July 1st, 2007 at 10:04 am

  16. @ralph: Ever hear of TRANSFORMERS: Alternators (known in Japan as Binaltech)? Hasbro wanted to do a VW Bumblebee in that line.

    Guess what? VW refused to do it. Something about “not wanting to promote a toyline with connotations of war”. Understandable, considering the company’s origins. (lolHitler)

    THAT is why Bumblebee will never be a Volkswagen Beetle again. Bay may not have wanted a VW ‘Bee anyway, but chances are he wouldn’t have been able to have one if he did want it.

    Posted by: CJMErl on July 1st, 2007 at 10:52 am

  17. Damn Good for Transformers!!

    Posted by: tunokuda on July 1st, 2007 at 2:13 pm

  18. My Children will love these toys.

    Posted by: London Guide on July 1st, 2007 at 6:37 pm

  19. Great to see Alex featured here ! Hi Alex, thanks PingMag !

    Posted by: Digiki on July 1st, 2007 at 11:30 pm

  20. Wow! great article! Alex’s story of how he actually got to do such cool work is really interesting and inspiring. The man is a true artist, diligent and dedicated.

    And I am SOOOOO psyched to see the movie.

    Posted by: Josh on July 2nd, 2007 at 11:26 am

  21. Thank you for the smile on Bumbles. It really brings my old friend from 1984 to life. I love this toy so much I have one for the home and one for the office!

    Posted by: Dare on July 2nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm

  22. [...] another note, head on to  http://pingmag.jp/2007/06/29/transformers/  to read about a guy who designs transformers toys. Omputih. di Jepun. And he did the designs of [...]

    Posted by: ___________________________ » Blog Archive » Adakah ANDA mempunyai foto bersama Prime? on July 2nd, 2007 at 4:33 pm

  23. [...] Amazing! Head on for the interview here! [...]

    Posted by: Transformer - The Man behind the Transformation « Gems Sty on July 2nd, 2007 at 10:51 pm

  24. Hey Alex, nice to see you getting some recognition, finally!

    Posted by: Martin Webb on July 2nd, 2007 at 10:53 pm

  25. [...] Transformers’ Toy Design [PingMag.jp] [...]

    Posted by: Dream Jobs: Designing Transformers Toys at Dethroner on July 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 pm

  26. I really love pingmag, with all these interviews with great designers. I wonder how can be one of them, someday…

    Posted by: Rr Jimenez on July 3rd, 2007 at 7:30 am

  27. [...] 3rd, 2007 by strangeknight PingMag carries a somewhat inspiring interview with the only foreign toy designer in Japan — and he designs Transformers! How do you usually start with the creation [...]

    Posted by: More than met the eye, I suppose « walking without rhythm on July 3rd, 2007 at 6:27 pm

  28. Great interview, thanks Pingmag. Toys design still remains the most dreamed job for all children !

    Posted by: James (studiosushi) on July 4th, 2007 at 1:49 am

  29. [...] Transformers’ Toy Design [via Tokyo Mango] tr { border: 0px } td { cellborder: 10px} table { border: 1px solid black } [...]

    Posted by: Meet The Guy Who Ruined Transformers on July 4th, 2007 at 5:29 am

  30. I want that Laserbeak-turning-into-iPod-thingy toys… kicks ass if it really works as an mp3 player

    Posted by: tebo on July 4th, 2007 at 9:25 am

  31. [...] Meet Alex Kubalsky the Australian toy designer who works for Takarotomy, the Japanese toy company who collaborated with Hasbro on the re-design for the Transformers you’ll be seeing in the new motion picture, aka the man that botched Optimus from the 80s we’ve came to love. [read] [...]

    Posted by: NerdwithSwag.com » Blog Archive » Now in NWS News: DJ Quik remembers Mausberg (1976-2000) on July 4th, 2007 at 11:45 am

  32. i used to watch Raideen when i was little and loved it so much! though it was “boys” anime!

    so cool! great article.
    but takarAtomy wit A in it not O!!!

    Posted by: nobuko on July 4th, 2007 at 8:52 pm

  33. [...] Amazing! Head on for the interview here! [...]

    Posted by: Man behind the Transformers « Bento Box on July 5th, 2007 at 1:47 am

  34. [...] Transformers sont, pour quelques instants, à la mode. Interview avec un créateur de ce type de [...]

    Posted by: Chacoura on July 5th, 2007 at 2:13 am

  35. [...] la película “Transformers” que publicamos hace un par de días hemos encontrado un blog en donde encontraréis gadgets tan increíbles como el mp3 Megaboot que véis bajo estas líneas. [...]

    Posted by: Barcelona’s Chiringuito » Archivo del weblog » Más “Transoformers” on July 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm

  36. [...] evolved. Thanks Suu for the tip. With the recent huge buzz on transformation, PingMag also has some interview with a designer that involved in designing Transformers toy (The gadget transformation was awesome). Mind blowing idea as [...]

    Posted by: Design Enterprise » Blog Archive » Evolutionising Design on July 6th, 2007 at 10:55 am

  37. [...] Link [...]

    Posted by: Behind the curtain: Transformer toy prototype - GEARFUSE on July 7th, 2007 at 12:07 am

  38. Awesome work, in the traditions of Macross. Shoji Kawamori would be impressed I bet.

    Posted by: Sean on July 7th, 2007 at 1:36 am

  39. トランスフォーマーダイスキ！かっこいいよね。

    Posted by: ロコ on July 7th, 2007 at 6:54 am

  40. [...] Ping Mag interviews Alex Kubalsky of Takaratomy, Tokyo. We learn about the inspiration, process and philosophy of the art of Transforming. I always wondered who was behind these amazing toys. [...]

    Posted by: Fatlace™.. Collect Everything! on July 7th, 2007 at 7:21 am

  41. i luv it :)

    Posted by: jate on July 7th, 2007 at 7:27 pm

  42. [...] has a great interview with Alex Kubalsky, Transformer toy designer. Related Posts Nathan SawayaDesign TypographyBruce Sterling on Hostile [...]

    Posted by: createmake » Transformers’ Toy Design on July 7th, 2007 at 11:42 pm

  43. abject object fetishism; escapism.

    Posted by: Boris Anthony on July 8th, 2007 at 1:45 am

  44. amazing work…

    Posted by: rahul dev on July 8th, 2007 at 10:38 pm

  45. Nothing can be ‘…more than meet the eyes…” than the TRANSFORMERS!

    Posted by: nico on July 9th, 2007 at 3:55 am

  46. [...] the hype of the new Bayformers movie, an interesting article at Pingmag popped up about Transformers designer Alex Kubalsky. He is an Australian currently working at [...]

    Posted by: Clockwork Machina! » Blog Archive » Transformers Designer Interview on July 9th, 2007 at 7:21 am

  47. “ROLLOUT!”

    Posted by: G&jk on July 9th, 2007 at 9:16 am

  48. Wooow! Awesome transformer!

    Posted by: Bryan on July 9th, 2007 at 11:24 pm

  49. [...] by Timbotron]: Take a look at the photo gallery of Alex Kubalsky - designer of Transformer toys (and the only foreign toy designer in Japan). Bookmark [...]

    Posted by: Blogadilla.com: The Tijuana of the Internet » Blog Archive » Movie Review: Transformers on July 10th, 2007 at 4:02 pm

  50. [...] Who makes these miraculously transforming toys that change between two or more shapes? [...]

    Posted by: Cowboy Caleb – The Father Of The Transformers on July 10th, 2007 at 10:43 pm

  51. [...] has a great interview with Australian designer Alex Kubalsky about his work designing toys including the transformations [...]

    Posted by: Cardboard Monocle: An Art/Design Blog » Blog Archive » PingMag interviews Alex Kubalsky on July 10th, 2007 at 10:53 pm

  52. Wait, whats the big deal, I thought those transformers classics were already released. Hello……

    Posted by: Ty on July 11th, 2007 at 3:06 am

  53. [...] Amazing! Head on for the interview here! [...]

    Posted by: Transformer - The Man behind the Transformation « Gaya, Ruang dan Kepelbagaian on July 11th, 2007 at 4:26 am

  54. I LUV N REALLY ADMIRE WHAT ALEX DOES CUZ ITS JUST WHATA I WANNA DO WHEN I GROW UP A LITTLE BIT MORE… I HOPE SUM DAY ILL B SENDIN REGARDS FROM THE HASBRO DESIGN OFFICE (TRANSFORMERS DEPARTMENT)CONGRATS FROM MEXICO …. ALEX!!!

    Posted by: CHEETOR182 on July 12th, 2007 at 4:05 pm

  55. EXCELENTE
    SIEMPRE EH SIDO SEGUIDOR DE LOS TRANSFORMERS DE E LOS G1 EN LOS 80s AHORA
    LA PELUCULA…
    ESPERO QUE SIGAN LOS DISEÑOS INCREIBLES

    Posted by: vladimir on July 13th, 2007 at 2:19 pm

  56. Very nice looks at some interesting processes for some super cool toys.

    Too bad the movie was not as good.

    There were too many human characters in it and what’s with the Decepticons not really speaking all that much english? It’s like if you don’t speak it ,you must be evil.

    If Bumblebee is not, or can’t be, a VW Bug then he should have been something similar in size. He does not get to all of a sudden be a muscle car.

    Optimus Prime would never say “my bad” or “ooops” either.

    That movie ticked me off.

    Posted by: trifocal on July 15th, 2007 at 12:01 am

  57. [...] http://pingmag.jp/2007/06/29/transformers You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. RSS 2.0 [...]

    Posted by: Ludologia» Blog Archive » Transformers’ Toy Design on July 17th, 2007 at 7:02 pm

  58. [...] Transformers’ Toy Design: Ping Mag interviews a transformer toy designer. [...]

    Posted by: Deez @ The Monopolist.com » Random Links: I need to update more often on July 18th, 2007 at 12:48 pm

  59. [...] kattanás a PingMag-en. http://pingmag.jp/2007/06/29/transformers/ « előző | tom hjn — 2007. 07. 20. [...]

    Posted by: Turulcsirip - tom hjn on July 20th, 2007 at 8:28 pm

  60. [...] Check it out here  [...]

    Posted by: Alex Kubalsky interview « Thoughts in Communication Design on July 22nd, 2007 at 4:43 pm

  61. awesome!

    Posted by: tay on July 22nd, 2007 at 9:01 pm

  62. [...] magazine PingMag interviews Australian Alex Kubalsky of Takaratomy in Tokyo - the sole foreign toy designer in Japan [...]

    Posted by: Yummy Wakame - love at first web site » Blog Archive » Transformers’ Toy Design on July 24th, 2007 at 12:41 am

  63. kubalsky, you’re a superstar!

    Posted by: oli on July 25th, 2007 at 11:15 pm

  64. [...] Motors… well, except for hottie Megan Fox - she was smokin’. But, Michael, can you do this with your special effects team? I didn’t think [...]

    Posted by: Eat this Michael Bay « The Rudy and the Theo and the Jello Pudding on July 27th, 2007 at 5:02 am

  65. [...] designed all the transformations for Transformer’s Bumblebee, Mirage and more cute fan gear! Via Ping mag This entry is filed under Yahoo Japan Auction. You can follow any responses to this entry [...]

    Posted by: UniqJapan » Transformers Original Prototype on July 27th, 2007 at 1:51 pm

  66. dream built reality…..

    Posted by: morrison on July 29th, 2007 at 3:45 pm

  67. Nice.I’d like to see this guy exhibit.

    Posted by: eric on July 29th, 2007 at 3:47 pm

  68. hi i would like to be a toy designer may i ask where can i study to be one? here is my email arvid_3@yahoo.com

    Posted by: arvid on August 5th, 2007 at 1:44 am

  69. ive never realy thot about being a toy designer, i think the only reasion i would wana do it is so i could get one of my products 4 free. i love transformers and always have im only 17 and grue up with beast wars but later got way into the classics i dont play fights anymore but i could site around for hours transforming things the art of it is so amazing i plan on continuing 2 buy the toys and enjoy wat people like alex-k are doing with the world of transformers i especialy love the alternators line and cant wait to get my hands on some.my love for transformers is almost mached by my love for legos and if i did become a toy designer i would love to start a line of lego transformers.

    Posted by: josiah rogers on August 6th, 2007 at 12:02 pm

  70. oh and i also loved the movie! there are alot of things that could b complained about and some things the characters said that werent like that particuler character but i think it captured the over all esense of transformers and would love 2 see another

    Posted by: josiah rogers on August 6th, 2007 at 12:05 pm

  71. Hi! Very interesting interview! Just a question… did Mr Kubalsky meant Peugeot 206 instead of Citroen 206? I know they are all PSA-Citroen, anyway. But my question is… was this toy released???? I’d love to see, since I’m also a big fan of Peugeot!!!

    Posted by: Rafael on August 10th, 2007 at 3:00 am

  72. Most inspiring! I’m always have this dream of making a living by making toys. This interview really gets my motivation juices flowing again. Thank you!

    Posted by: MidZ on September 11th, 2007 at 8:16 am

  73. [...] Here are a design made before the Transformens movei was released. Check here for more info. [...]

    Posted by: Jimmie Österberg » Blog Archive » Blog: Pingmag on September 21st, 2007 at 12:33 am

  74. I just want to say “excellent job” I like Cartoon movies, animation, and toys.

    Posted by: Jas Kalsi on October 5th, 2007 at 8:54 pm

  75. Owww…Very very good;)

    Posted by: CMP2 on November 11th, 2007 at 9:04 am

  76. im a truggling artist too… shit! i hate my life right now everything is a mess…. i dont know where to go from here… good thing i read this article… i hope it’ll inspire me to pursue my dream… †sak

    Posted by: hey.. good work bro on November 13th, 2007 at 11:18 am

  77. Man, those toys rock, I always loved Gundam.

    Posted by: Japan News on November 24th, 2007 at 5:25 am

  78. man this awesome, i remember trying to build every megazord i saw on tv with my lego set (cuz i cudn’t afford) that wuz really fun, i hope to do that again with movie optimus prime, although i want to extend my horizon to include binding wire, foil etc. like you I just love working out transformations in my head.

    peace man, ur living out our dreams

    Posted by: vincymon on November 30th, 2007 at 10:34 am

  79. Awesome designs! The amount of detail is amazing.

    Posted by: Scifi art directory on December 7th, 2007 at 8:00 pm

  80. Look at this!

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=alDP12wEE5c

    Posted by: Julien on February 12th, 2008 at 9:29 am

  81. great story of how he eventually broke into the industry.

    Posted by: Sexy Propaganda on March 24th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

  82. There’s some old stop-motion animation on youtube by the same guy. You can see it here.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wovEOq3tVfU

    Posted by: Philip on March 31st, 2008 at 12:29 am

  83. Wow, this guy is awesome, I have all the Bumblebees, the Mp3 player, the game controller and I think that the Mirage looks cool.
    Thank you Alex for designing some of my favourite toys. You’re my little brother’s hero.

    Posted by: Victor on June 30th, 2008 at 10:09 am

  84. woo thats my brother

    Posted by: andre on August 26th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

  85. [...] Link via [PingMag..] [...]

    Posted by: Illustration :: LCSV4 The Illustration News Portal » Blog Archive » Transformers' Toy Design on September 16th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

  86. wow wow awsome i wish i was that cool to make toys like that

    Posted by: Anonymous on December 16th, 2008 at 9:46 am

  87. all of that is awesome.

    Posted by: dmk on December 25th, 2008 at 8:17 am

  88. could I sign up for toy drawing designs for hasbro.

    Posted by: giovanni on January 29th, 2009 at 11:04 pm

  89. I think TakaraTomy would be the better place to start toy drawing.

    Posted by: james on June 24th, 2009 at 12:25 am

  90. making a transformer model(small one) is my dream please send me any reference so that can help me with my model.

    rigging process or modelling processing or texturing process anything will help

    please send me at my mail address

    akhil81989@yahoo.com

    i am waiting for that
    plz send me as soon as posible
    anything will work please send

    Posted by: AKHILESH on July 24th, 2009 at 1:44 am

  91. I’m curious to know if Alex did all of the original concept art on Classics Bumblebee or worked from concept art provided to him by Hasbro to make the blueprints and animation for the prototype

    Posted by: Tramp on October 27th, 2009 at 10:13 am

  92. tese are bad

    Posted by: monj j on November 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm

  93. [...] magazine PingMag interviews Australian Alex Kubalsky of Takaratomy in Tokyo – the sole foreign toy designer in [...]

    Posted by: Transformers’ Toy Design « Yummy Wakame on April 14th, 2010 at 5:48 am

  94. [...] allsorts. Everything from Transformers Toy Design to Icelandic Artist Katrin Olina; from Papier Mache Float Parades to Brazilian Puppetry. The [...]

    Posted by: PingMag Resurrected - illophile on May 12th, 2010 at 7:31 pm

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