IP Designer Toy Expansion, Corporate Testing, and Professional Integration

Industrial Research

During my career exploration, I realized that mastering a single animation skill was insufficient for contemporary IP companies. My research into market leaders like POP MART （Figure 1) and MINISO（Figure 2) revealed that an IP’s ecosystem extends far beyond digital screen assets; offline designer toys and physical merchandise constitute a vital part of the industrial chain. After submitting my resume, I received a talent test from MINISO, for which I developed a comprehensive IP proposal and worldview, including full product design pipelines.

I designed a comprehensive IP proposal for “Baby Bat”, a character yearning for sunlight. Inspired by the artist Yayoi Kusama, I incorporated polka dot elements and gave them a unique narrative significance. While the rest of the bat family remains hidden in the dark forest, Baby Bat secretly ventures into the city to catch the sun. The ultraviolet rays burn its skin, leaving permanent polka dot marks. Mesmerized by the glowing mobile phone screens in the urban landscape, it inspired my design for a series of Hippers（Figure 4) (sticky figure accessories). Furthermore, following current market trends established by IPs like Skullpanda and Labubu, I designed a vinyl plush keychain series（Figure 3) , through which I gained critical insights into manufacturing costs, materials, and industrial craftsmanship.

Integrating Character Animation with IP Strategy

Breathing Life into Assets via Character Acting: Animation principles allow me to transcend static character design. By injecting performance, distinct personalities, and behavioral habits into the IP, I can create the empathetic emotional resonance and sense of companionship that audiences crave, which serves as the core vitality of any commercial IP.

Bridging the Gap Between Screen and Product: Understanding 3D spatial logic and narrative world-building helps me seamlessly translate 2D screen characters into physical toys, such as Hippers or plush keychains. This multidisciplinary adaptability elevates me from a traditional animator to a versatile IP producer capable of balancing artistic value with industrial commercial supply chains.