Jamungo Interview with Ferg and VanBeater

Jamungo has just recently
released their first toys, the Blow Up Dolls (BUDS),  a brand-new mini-figure
platform.  We’re stoked to bring you an interview with the two talented
designers and co-founders of Jamungo – Clay "Ferg" Ferguson and Trevor "VanBeater" Van Meter.
The two talk about the release of the BUDs and upcoming toys including
the Squbes and the Sqwerts.  We’re also lucky enough to bring you the
first pic of the painted Sqwerts prototypes — enjoy!  Have a pleasant
read.

Let’s start by having both of you introduce yourselves with a little bit of your history and background.

Ferg: I’ve lived in Austin TX all of my life. I grew up skateboarding, listening to speed metal and playing whatever gaming console was out at the time. Actually, I wasn’t down with intellivision….that controller sucked.

VanBeater:  My real name is Trevor Van Meter, and I live in Greenville, NC (da da da derty derty). I have a background in art, illustration and interactive design. The past couple of years, my day job has been working on web games, animation and design. When I’m not working on real world "pay dem bills" projects, I’m working on Jamungo projects.

When and how did you start Jamungo?

Jamungo was formed in 2003. Ferg and I worked together on several design projects before we formed Jamungo.  We both started talking about how much we loved designer toys and how we would love to release our own toy at some point, so we did.



Ferg and VanBeater hard at work

Where does the name come from?

Jamungo was the only domain name that wasn’t taken… actually we just made it up. We wanted to come up with something that sounded BIG and at the same time fun. It’s pretty much just an empty vessel.  Hopefully it will take on more meaning as we grow.

How would each of you describe your art style?

We will answer for each other:

VanBeater: Ferg’s work is a minimalist approach to complicated thinking. He has a way of approaching an idea and stripping away anything unnecessary, leaving a pure idea in it’s most simple form.

Ferg: VanBeater’s style is like watching Saturday morning cartoons after eating seven bowls of peanut butter captain crunch… footy pajamas required.

Whose work (art, toys, otherwise) has influenced your styles?

VB: I would say I am influenced most by my childhood experiences of playing with toys, watching cartoons, and WATCHING video games ( I never really got to play because my brother hogged the playtime… I was more of a back seat gamer). More than anything, I am inspired by a feeling that I am desperately trying to get back. The feeling of blind excitement that keeps you awake in July thinking about the toys you will be asking for at X-mas. I want that feeling back, and the only thing that gets me close is creating characters and seeing other people’s creations.

Ferg: Mainly, I am influenced by things in society or nature or whatever, that can be looked at beyond their initial appearance. I like trying to force myself to see more than what immediately meets the eye, and I try to convey or translate that in my art. Sometimes I to try to break an idea down, and present it with the least amount of visual data…but still keep it interesting. I am influenced by minimalist works of all kinds, but I also draw inspiration from other styles as well. I dig most of Frank’s [ed: Kozik] stuff, mainly because of the ideas behind the pieces and the eyeball fuckery that they provide. I also geek out on the work of Murakami, Futura, Gunsho, Bobby Dixon, Mark Tobey, Claes Oldenburg, Jeff Koons and too many more to list.

Do you guys collect toys? If so, what? One favorite piece?

Ferg:  Probably my fave piece, even though it’s not all that rare is the bonebunny. It’s just such a rad idea, and the sculpt is so clean. As far as recent releases, I love Biskup’s Polska egg (Toy2R). Anyone who questions the validity of platform toys should have a look at that piece. It’s incredible.

VanBeater: About 2 years ago I would order new toys every week… Very Addictive! Since BlowUpDolls were funded out of our own pockets, I have had to put that habit on a tight leash. I would have to say that to date my favorite two toys are King Ken and my Teddy Troops, but of course… there are too many to list.



The Blow Up Dolls (BUDS)

The Blow Up Dolls, which look great btw, are about to explode onto the scene. These are Jamungo’s first toys right? Can you tell us a little more about them including the concept?

BUDs are our first official release. We wanted to bring something new and unique into the platform world… an inanimate and iconic object. Although we love the bunnies and bears, it had already been done. As kids we were inspired by military toys, so we wanted to introduce something that was sinister in concept, yet somewhat cute in execution. We also wanted to create a toy that was modular, so that variants with additional forms could happen easily. We have plans to expand on the explosive theme, as well as a few other surprises.

How did Frank Kozik get involved with the project?

Ferg: We were friends from the poster scene. He kept telling me to do toys and would show me all of the cool shit he was working on. I showed him what Trevor and I came up with for BUDs, and asked if he would hook one up for us. He said yes, and delivered the Bud Trooper. We couldn’t have been more stoked. Frank has been mad supportive of what we are trying to do from the start and we are very appreciative. 

Any additional plans for the Blow Up Dolls? Designer series?

Series 2 is already in the works. We have some monster talents on board. We are stoked about our artist series because it is an opportunity to feature some artist you know and artist that you may not know, from outside the toy world.

Larger figs?
Yes, in fact we just greenlighted 9" versions of BUDs and Nades. Blanks of both toys will also be available at some point later this year.

Also, you also have a DIY ‘Nade toy based on a military grenade shape. Is this strictly a DIY project or will we see designer Nades in the future? Blowing stuff up, a Jamungo theme?

Nades still fall under the BUD platform category. We have a plan to roll them out separately. But they may also appear in regular BUD series releases.

Are the Blow Up Dolls and the Nades both collaborative projects between the both of you?

BlowUpDolls and Nades are the same project really, and YES it is all about collaboration between the two of us. From the start, we have both contributed 50/50 to each part of the process. From design to funding, we would pass ideas, designs and responsibility between the two of us. Since we both freelance full time out side of Jamungo and we are not in the same state, we are able to fill in the blanks and pick up slack when the other is busy. It actually works really well because we both have our strengths. It all levels out when things need to get done.




Sqwerts – Painted Prototypes
You also have the softer-edged Sqwerts line dropping shortly. Can you tell us a little bit more about these lil guys? Who created the toy, what’s the concept, and any specific details you have – packaging, release size, etc. They’re very different in vibe than the Blow Up Dolls, was this change of pace intentional?

Yes, Sqwerts are on the way and are a definite change of pace. It is just a simple form with no articulation. Sqwerts were designed by me (VanBeater) and I also sculpted the original prototype which is approximately 1.5 inches. We cast about 75 resin figs that we were going to release as a DIY series. We bought a pad printer and did our best to get them to the quality that would be acceptable. Out of 50 figs, I would say only 10 or so were usable. We are still honing our skills on the pad printer, and we have plans for future ultra limited releases.

The Sqwerts that are going to be released are rotocast vinyl and are about 4" tall. For the first release, there are 5 designs from the following artists: Kozik, Tara McPherson, TADO, FERG, And VanBeater. The vibe for Sqwert was to create a fun little creature that was appealing and somehow felt familiar. We think it is a great blank canvas for artists to apply their creativity. Ferg and I are both excited to see where the artists will take it.




Squbes by Ferg

Ferg’s Squbes look like small furniture at first glance – the skull design is pretty subtle. Where did this idea come from? Are they vinyl? Any specifics yet on release date, colorways, etc?

It actually came to me one day a few years back so I sketched it out on paper. Eventually, I ended up using it on a Squarepusher poster in two dimensional form. People seemed to dig it, so I decided to make one in 3D. I had an architectural firm run 10 of them on their rapid prototype machine. I had those on my site and people snatched them up pretty quickly . We started getting a lot of requests for them so we decided it would be cool to do a toy version.  Because of all the undercuts they will probably be injection molded abs.
We are going to release them as follows:

  • 500 white
  • 350 black
  • 250 glow
  • 100 clear
  • and a small number of exclusive variants


Many of your toys have been delayed for quite awhile. Delays seem pretty normal for designer toys. Any insight into what makes production such a time consuming task?

Jamungo has been plagued with set backs from the get go, and more so than your usual delays. BUDs were conceived in late 2003, and we started production the summer of 2004. But, after 11 months, we had to pull the plug and start over due to poor project management and quality issues. In the end, we’re glad we had to start over because now the toy quality is great, and we are in direct contact with the new factory. This streamlines things and makes the whole process go smoother. We have learned so much over the past 2 years, and this will help ensure that fans of our toys will get the highest quality product possible.

Also, does this mean releases will get stacked together closer than you had planned? That sounds like mostly good news from a collector’s standpoint.

At this point… YES, Sqwerts should be out sometime between March and April. We are setting up the production schedule for Squbes now, and 9" Buds and Nades will probably drop near the end of the year.

What’s been the biggest surprise so far in creating these toys? The hardest part? The best or most fun aspect?

VanBeater: The biggest surprise is how the the collector community has been so accepting and excited about the BUD release. The hardest part is the hurry up and wait factor of making a toy. The most rewarding and fun aspect is watching an idea go from concept to finished product, and then actually holding the toy in your hand… It is very satisfying, and will be even more satisfying when our toys start to show up on collector’s shelves.

Ferg: Biggest surprise: the amount of time it takes to get stuff done.
The hardest part:  the amount of work it takes to get stuff done.
The best or most fun aspect:  opening the production boxes for the first time. 

Where will designer toys be in two years?



VanBeater pondering the Sqwerts

Ferg:  I think we will continue to see growth above and beyond that mark. The driving force of this scene is the fans and collectors. One of the things that make this industry so cool is that most of the artist and designers are just as stoked on seeing new product as anyone else. They are collectors and fiends too. That helps to keep things fresh and evolving at a nice clip. Things will slow down at a certain point, but I don’t think we are near that point yet. Oh… and platforms will be around forever 🙂

VanBeater:  I can see it now in the dark alley ways. There will be gangs roaming the streets, while displaying their colorways, and knife fights over why this toy is better that that toy. Flippers in overcoats trying to unload that latest rare, and unobtainable toy.

What’s next for Jamungo? Any shows or events planned?

We have tons of plans for 2006, including a Sqwert custom show and release party. And although it will be to late to do a BlowUpDoll release event, there will be a Jamungo party during SXSW at Gomi … and If you are at SXSW stop by the Flatstock poster convention. We will be there with toys, art prints and various other wares.

We’d like to thank Ferg and VanBeater for giving us the lowdown on Jamungo.

19 Replies to “Jamungo Interview with Ferg and VanBeater”

  1. Great interview guys.
    Really splendid looking toys.
    The Sqwerts are just the best thing in ages.
    Really looking forward to these little fellows.
    Good luck with them.

  2. looks like your stuff is exploding! ha! get it?
    something must be in the water down in tejas cuz i’m seein great art again.
    ps…don’t forget the dicks, the big boys and MDC either!

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