Introducing Michal Nowak's Stomper

6:00 PM on 12.16.2011   |   Brian Szabelski

As I've mentioned many, many times before on Tomopop, one of my favorite things about the designer toy world is seeing figures from all over the world and seeing the designs they come up with. Today, I get the privilege of introducing the first vinyl toy from Poland, the birthplace of my grandfather. Michal Nowak (a.k.a. Rocket Design) has created Stomper, a 3.4-inch (8.7 cm) tall DIY toy that will be available in two colors: white and black (coming soon).

Michal's story of how Stomper came to be is actually quite interesting. It's been a process that's been three years in the making, from the original sketch to the first prototypes being made as Michal's wife was preparing to give birth, to the first exhbitions featuring his resin versions, to deciding that vniyl would be the route to go through the entire process until the release. I've included Michal's story in his own words after the jump; keep in mind that it's not perfect English, but you should be able to understand it without a problem!  

Michal says 1,000 of these are being made: 200 will be sold in Poland and the other 800 will be distributed through DKE Toys. They'll be US$20 each and will be on sale in about two weeks. Let us know in the comments what you think about this design!

History of Stomper (via Michal Nowak):

"Almost three years ago the first Stomper saw the light of day. It is true that he was only on paper in outline form, but foreshadowed the advent of something material. I wanted to design a very simple toy. Each successive draft, each succeeding model of the modeling was becoming simpler to finally become what it is-a very simple form with a ton of emotion cursed in white and black toy.Then the resulting versions of the cast from resin - ton of dust on the balcony and the unbearable smell of resin and silicone in the apartment. When my wife was preparing to give birth in the hospital I overlapped the first layer of paint on cast figurines. With 20 of resin figure I made Exhibition at the "Need for Street" (thanks Plastic Heart), then exhibition in Poznan (Breeder with Toys). Unfortunately the flap! Figure proved to be too expensive in production and had no chance on the Polish market (also had its drawbacks production)

"It was a moment when I came to the conclusion that I will need to do it professionally. VINYL!
Shipping sketches, projects to China. The first prototype of the wax. The first prototype of the vinyl. Shipping to Polish and U.S.. Fight against EU rules. The huge joy after unpacking boxes.

"So in short, looks like the story of the first Polish-a vinyl toy.
When I look at the sketches I wonder if at the start I realized that it takes me so long that I will not sleep so many nights thinking if that everything will be OK.
I know that having this knowledge, three years ago, and knowing the end result I would risk again. Pleasure to hold own product gives so much satisfaction.
With the support of his wife, family, friends — 200 Stompers comes to Poland (800 units in the U.S.) and now waiting for their new owners."