About this project
As designers we pretty much want to put graphics on EVERYTHING. We've done t-shirts, posters, skateboards, and anything flat and easy to print on. But now we want to explore beyond flatland and into the round, bulbous world of inflatable characters as custom, collectible art. What we've created is a blank, inflatable canvas with a big silly head to paint on and feet to stand on. They're a bit over two feet tall, with stubby legs and they're made of an ink-receptive PVC vinyl.
We've refined the shape to it's final form through two rounds of prototypes. We have production quotes for manufacturing and printing and are ready to launch these little guys in an initial run of 500 (we can do more if there's demand). We'd love your help! Take a look at the rewards to see what your pledge can get you:
Option 1: Blank White DIY Blimpus This is our entry-level Blimpus. It's a pristine white vinyl character which you can customize using markers, tape, spray paint, screen printing and almost anything else.
Option 2: Solid Color Blimpus with Sticker Kit A cyan, magenta or yellow solid color vinyl character and a vinyl sticker kit which includes facial features and whatnot to get you going. Peel, stick, cut, chop, blend, bleach, mix and match, go to town. Like the DIY version this material also accepts paint, markers, etc. for additional tomfoolery.
Option 3: Designer Edition Character Blimpus A fully printed character entirely designed by us and printed by our vendor in CA via digital transfer. Please express your preference from our four Kickstarter Edition characters: Cyclops, Yeti, Owl, Ninja. We look forward to giving each of them a happy home.
We've added a reward! For $40, you can get a black and white double-sided Blimpus! These two-faced friends can be colored in with your favorite markers, paints, pens, or nail polish. Choose from either the Ninja/Cyclops , or the Owl/Yeti. The perfect blending of DIY and premade illustration.
We'd like to use kickstarters machine to support our first run and gather an enthusiastic audience of do-it-yourselfers AND readymade-art aficionados. Thanks, and enjoy!
Domestic airfare for these little guys to travel is free. International requires an additional $5 please!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
245
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$11,331
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 31, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Our undying gratitude, respect and the knowledge that you've helped to bring the blimpus to life.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A slick Blimpus 9x12 mini-poster featuring one of three black + white Blimpus character designs. The first 50 are special edition numbered silkscreen prints, the rest are archival quality digital inkjet prints on heavyweight bamboo stock, also numbered.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
A Pledge of $20 will land you our entry-level Blimpus. It's a pristine white vinyl character which you can customize using markers, tape, spray paint, screen printing and almost anything else you can imagine. US shipping free, Int'l add $5.
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
A Pledge of $30 gets you a cyan, magenta or yellow solid color vinyl character and a vinyl sticker kit which includes facial features and whatnot to get you going. Peel, stick, cut, chop, blend, bleach, mix and match, go to town. This material also accepts paint, markers, etc. for additional tomfoolery. US shipping free, Int'l add $5.
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
This just in, We've added a reward! For $40, you will get a black and white double-sided Blimpus! These two-faced friends can be colored in with your favorite markers, paints, pens, or nail polish. Choose from either the Owl/Yeti, or the Ninja/Cyclops. The perfect blending of DIY and premade illustration.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
50 bucks gets you a sweet designer edition. Please express your preference from our four Kickstarter Edition characters: Cyclops, Yeti, Owl, Ninja, or "Surprise Me". US shipping free, Int'l add $5.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
For $300 you will receive one unique Blimpus character handmade by us using mixed media. Each one will be signed and given an amusing blimpus name based on your name. US shipping free, Int'l add $20 (these guys will be insured).
Pledge $600 or more Pledge $600 or more
The Grand Tour. One of everything listed above, including: one blank blimpus, one blimpus with sticker kit, all four designer edition characters, and a custom handmade blimpus. You will receive a neat package with them all hiding inside. Also, we will personally swear an oath of allegiance to your private blimpus army before deploying them. US shipping free, Int'l add $40.
Project By
Connected as Mike Serafin
Blimpuses are the brainchildren of Mike Serafin and Tony Ruth, who make things at Vessel in Chicago.
