The Anaheim Convention Center hosted this year’s DesignerCon—an annual convention—over the weekend. The three-day event featured an all-out showcasing of a plethora of designer toys, collectibles, clothing, sculptures, and apparel, as well as all imaginable types of art stretching from postmodern to street art, prints, animation, and more.
Since being conceived in 2006 as a gathering to promote toys, this event has drawn in an annual gathering which rivals that of ComicCon. This year alone, over 800 designers, vendors, artists, and creators filled Anaheim’s halls, and so did many thousands of people who mingled with them and bought their art. There was also a marvelous setting of sensationalized and bright sights, colors, and sounds.
Tickets went for $30—each constituting a one-day pass—and $45, for a two-day attendance limit. Kids under the age of 12 could come for free. Taken overall, admission wasn’t exactly cheap, but then neither was it unreasonable. Some would even consider it a bargain considering this was an art exhibit, tattoo fest, car show, swap meet, and ComicCon, all in one place and at the same time. Plus, it had a family-friendly vibe, as well as a diverse crowd comprising every race, demographic, age, and gender.
The attendees were allowed not only to pass through the spacious convention halls chock full of vendors and artists, but also take part in signings and panels. This year there was “Hamilltoon: The Many Voices of Mark Hamill,” which was a big art piece in dedication to the great Mark Hamill of Star Wars and Animated Batman. The broad celebration of art and toys featured many new collectible toy releases from such makers as We Are Not Toys, Giant Robot, Def Jam, and Medicom Toys.
Many of the artists and vendors that showed up were offering goods with not just artistic but also social value, and some of these carried some good causes behind them, including mental health awareness and environmental protection.
One of the companies offering such items for sale was Depressed Monsters, formed by Vegas-based artist Ryan Brunty in 2012. Among its original creations is where you’ll find Yerman the Monster, which brings up the matter of struggling with depression, which many do. Since being created, the character has had its concept transcend art, and evolve into an apparel line which has garnered a fan base so major that it has prompted the brand to launch at Hot Topic next year. Brunty was at DesignerCon to share his art, apparel, and accessories, and of course, meet fans. A share of Depressed Monster proceeds go towards some of the nation’s top mental health agencies.
Similarly merging the public good and art is Global Inheritance, which is a non-profit recycler. Their DesignerCon exhibit was named “Trashed”, and included invitations for an art contest, which itself has homemade designs to be used on recycling containers meant for 2020’s Coachella Music and Arts Festival. Recycling can models from last year were also displayed.
A huge influx of talent from across the nation as well as beyond found their place among the huge number of classic cars, paintings, art vendors, clothing stalls, and folk art. The convention center halls were full to bursting with sculptors, painters, animators, graphic artists, apparel designers, and toymakers. This artistic endeavor was truly international, with representation for East LA to Long Beach to Mexico, the UK, and South Korea.