Toby Pritchard is a Manchester based creative, currently working from home. Tuning into his creative side and making art was the only thing he has ever wanted to do. It's the sole thing in his life that really made sense, luckily with supportive friends and family, Toby is able to live out his dream.
Toby studied Illustration with Animation at MMU and the Manchester School of Art. He originally wanted to pursue a career in picture book illustration, he thought this was the best way to achieve his goal but little did he know this would shift quite dramatically.
Photography & Toby's Creative Processes
Where did your interest in photography stem from?
My interest in photography strangely came from no longer wanting to draw in my second year of University. I was completely obsessed with stop motion animation at the time and wanted to work with materials to create my characters!
What is your favourite aspect of photography?
It helps bring my characters to life. Putting Sneezies in real world situations and surroundings to photograph fills me with endless joy, and makes them seem more like real living animals trying to have fun!
How did experimenting with photography lead to your first stop animation project?
I was amazed at the flexibility that photography gave me when working on a project. Being able to quickly get different perspectives and angles with my puppets really helped inform how my animations would progress.
What inspired you to come up with the concept and character style used within these?
Growing up I watched a lot of old stop motion shows, from 'The Herbs', to 'The Magic Roundabout' and 'The Clangers'. Looking back at these shows, I really appreciate the hand made elements to them; from the lower frame rates and cardboard crafted worlds. This is much more up my alley when compared to modern stop motion films, that seem to have a focus on perfectly fluid scenes without any of the janky movements.
How did this idea transform into what are now known as the ‘Sneezies’?
The 'Sneezies' are based on my final year project at university! Back then they were simple Sasquatches trying to live a peaceful life in a field, that doesn't quite work out.. but the fluffiness and cuteness of the puppets in that film are present in todays sneezies!
"I was amazed at the flexibility that photography gave me when working on a project"
Did you have any familiarity with toy making before the Sneezies?
Not quite. All my knowledge came from my puppet making development. My technique for puppetry was to essentially make a stuffed toy with a wire armature inside to allow for specific movements. So when I had the idea to make and sell stuffed toys, I simply took the wires out!
Have you had any setbacks since launching your small business?
The Sneezies were born during the pandemic, and me wanting to create something fun and nice to share with people. so obviously there were some restrictions but not so much setbacks no. My initial idea was to combine animation with toy making, where I would have stories based on each Sneezie that i created, but that would require a lot more time that I currently have!
Did you have any initial expectations for the Tobbs brand? Did it exceed them?
I had no idea that Sneezies would be popular, every single adoption order I receive really means the world to me! So far I feel like I am on track, and ready for the brand to grow even more!
What are your creative plans for the future?
As for future plans, I am developing a few Sneezie puppets in my spare time, so I can finally get a small series of animations out in the world! Alongside that, I have a few picture book ideas that I want to test out, still focussed on Sneezies!
"So far I feel like I am on track, and ready for the brand to grow even more"
Quick Fire Round
If you could collaborate with any artist to create a special Sneezie, who would you choose?
If I could collaborate with any artist, at the moment I am obsessed with a wood worker that I follow on instagram. I believe his name is Natsuki Ando. He makes incredibly cute and amazong wood carvings of bears in human clothes and doing human like things. they are a real inspiration for me in thinking about the things a sneezie could do, and it would be so fun to see a sneezie in his style of work!
If a Sneezie could be a character in a film, which would you pick and why?
I would absolutely have to pick Totoro from 'My Neighbour Totoro'. The character in that movie behaves just like how I imagine a sneezie would; very laid back and innocent, and always just wanting to help and have fun!
What is your personal favourite Sneezie you have made so far?
I love all my sneezies, every time I make one, I look at it and feel immensely proud of them, but looking back I think my favourite sneezies are the ones that have leaves on their heads, like the orange nosed rock sneezie. I was holding it and just thought to myself, "You are a perfect little guy"
Check out Toby's work
Instagram @tobbs__
Toby's Sneezies really are special, so if you're looking for a quirky, little yeti friend definitely visit the site! (I am biased however as I own three.. so far)
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