Conversation between Pachy and NuNu

Hey, Here is the first interview with Pachy. She is cute and funny......

NUNU: Would you please briefly introduce your background?

PACHY: I was born in Puerto Rico in 1977 and raised in San Juan de los Morros, a small town in central Venezuela. In 2001, I graduated as a visual communicator from the Visual Communications School PRODISEÑO in Caracas, Venezuela.

I began my career as a junior designer in Totuma Communications, where I participated in projects for HBO Latin America, HBO Plus, Fox Kids and Discovery Channel Latin America. In 2005, I left Venezuela and moved to Miami, Florida to become part of the Warner Channel Latin America promotions team. The following year I went on to become an image developer for “Nick at Nite” at Nickelodeon Latin America and US. Now I work as a freelance designer in Miami, Florida as well as on my Pinkypunks.

NUNU: Would you please choose a couple of characters you like most and why?

PACHY: That’s too hard! Some of my characters I just can’t sell or give away. Like for example Pelos and Ramona are the original creations – the first ones I showed to the public. They are both my companions and room-mates. Actually, Pelos is Pinkypunk’s president and Ramona is my co-pilot.

NUNU: Your characters are very different from most other doll designers. How did you set up this style?

PACHY: Thank you. I think they are a combination of all the visual references I’ve collected since I can remember. For me, the toy subject was not just a childhood topic because it continues to interest me up until today. In fact, I still keep around toys that I used as a little girl and they are part of my most valued treasures.

Two years ago, I was suffering some kind of professional crisis. I wanted to get away from the computer and start working with more organic materials. After going around this idea for a while, I found myself with a sewing machine in front of me and a piece of fabric on one hand, and I asked myself: What should I do now?

The first idea was to create a pillow with limbs that would hug you while you were sleeping. In the process, these pillows started to get faces and they gave me the idea of getting some friends that would fill up the empty space on my couch. That’s how my main characters were born: Ramona, Pululo, Michelle and Pelos, which are basically one design but with diferent faces.

About the style: that’s just how they come out! It was really hard at the beginning because I had a stiff hand and I was looking for symmetry and perfection. After a while, through trial and error, the pillows mutated into dolls with personalities and more defined attitudes.

NUNU: Do you think what kind person can be doll designer?

For example like watch cartoon...

PACHY: I think a doll designer or character designer needs to be a keen observer with a sense of humor. Yes, watching cartoons helps a lot - many of my favorite TV channels are for kids or about cartoons. For me it’s also important to stay connected with my inner child, even if I’m not working for children: to know how to play, to know how to make fun at myself and to enjoy it all the while.

NUNU: Can you explain what the process of your design is? From coming up with the ideas to finish the doll?

PACHY: Well, measurements and shapes are already determined, at least for the collection I’m working on right now. I have patterns for the bodies, limbs and faces. Buying fabrics and materials is the most inspiring part because when I’m surrounded by these the ideas come up by themselves. It’s like the materials explain to me how should they be used. Even if I don’t need materials, I go out to hunt for some because I always come back with fresh ideas and new projects in mind. You can also find good ideas and materials on the internet, but it’s never the same as going to the store.

I don’t usually draw the characters before making them. The ideas are in my head and when I put them down on paper, they never look like the ones I’m imagining and much less do they look like the final result, that is close enough to the original idea.

NUNU: Have you ever undergone breakdown situation on your creating process? If so, how did you overcome that?

PACHY: Fortunately, I haven’t experienced that with the Pinkypunks but I do have frustrated ideas that I just don’t know how to solve. I have a long list of designs that I would love to make but I don’t have yet the technique to develop them. Some of them have been able to materialize little by little. Since I am not a person gifted with much patience, sometimes I have to say to myself: Relax….they’ll be out on the next collection.

NUNU: How did you make the balance between commercialization and creativity? Have you ever been forced to design or create the dolls you really don't feel like so much?

PACHY: That is one of the biggest dilemmas that many designers have. Precisely, looking for a balance is how I created Pinkypunk. I have, at least, 8 years working for the broadcast industry, where everything needs to be done quickly and development times are very short. This is more evident when you work in a TV channel and it can become very frustrating.

In many ocassions, you leave nothing of yourself on those kinds of proyects. That’s why I love making my pinkypunks, because each one takes a little of me with them. Many times it’s hard for me to let them go. I suppose i’ll have to make some consessions along the way, you always have to, right?

NUNU: How do you describe your dolls and what the people surrounding you think about your works?

PACHY: My Pinkypunks are a mix of what I am, what I want to be and how I feel when I am making them (For example, the ones I did this year for Valentine’s day). I like to think of them as playful comrades that keep you company when real friends are busy… I love watching the kids faces when they see how big they are or when grown-ups turn back to their childhood when they play with them – some even talk to them.

My friends are the toughest critics and the biggest fans. Most of them have one and they are always giving me ideas for future designs. In fact, I have two neighbors (9 and 10 years old) who draw their own versions of Pinkypunks, I love that.

NUNU: Who is your favorite designer or artist?

PACHY: This is a hard question. Toy designers: TOKI-DOKI, Frank Kozyk, Takashi Murakami, Gary Baseman…… I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out, but yes, they are my favorites.

NUNU: Do you have a plan to manufacture your dolls?

PACHY: I have to answer irresponsibly and say: I still haven’t figured that out. Right now, I’m making them by myself at home. I am searching for the best way to make them in big lots, but I don’t want them to loose their soul and that imperfect and organic feel which makes them stand out from the other stuff on the market. Without a doubt, this is the next step Pinkypunk should take.

NUNU: Have you ever been to Taiwan or Asia? What do you think the doll designed from Asia?

PACHY: I’ve never been there but I dream about going. I have always been fond of eastern aesthetic, and it has always been present in my life. For example, when I was a little girl in Venezuela, I watched a lot of asian cartoons on TV and before I knew of the urban-toy world, my hobbies were mangas and Hello! Kitty – a classic of all times.