Anyone who has collected TITAN Merchandise’s figures knows of the amazing work that Matt Jones (aka Lunartik) does on each and every figure that he designs. But did you know that Matt is known for more than just pop culture figures? Matt and I recently chatted about his “Cup of Tea” project as well as other projects and all things TITAN.
Hey Matt! Thanks for taking some time out of your busy schedule! I know between TITAN figures, Cup of Tea, your Ping Pong Gone Wrong, model making classes and art shows, you are a busy guy! How are you feeling?
Energised! But you forgot to mention my 2 kids, my yoga classes and social life outside of my work life. It’s all ways busy in the Jones camp.
It is no surprise that your figures for TITAN Merchandise have become a huge hit! Do you remember the moment where you realized “Wow, all of this hard work has paid off!”.
The “WOW” moment was actually seeing the fans and collectors buying and enjoying the figures I was designing for TITAN. Sometimes a set will not appeal to me but to the fans, it’s a whole new level of excitement. Some people jobs help to save lives, I can’t do this personally, but making people happy has a lot of merit going for it. It’s a win win situation.
Collectors have noticed new features being worked into your figures, the main one being “translucent” figures. Is working with translucent material different from the usual process?
When you get to design a translucent figure you know you will see through it, so you have to be more careful where and what sort of decal you apply to the sculpt. My best example was the transparent blue Chase Cyberman. It’s really clean, simple and in my opinion, it looks effective.
Is there one figure, from any collection, that you had a love/hate relationship with?
SIMON PEGG as the Editor from the Fantastic Collection. The love I have for him is great. SPACED the UK sitcom back in the 90’s was amazing, so yes I really tried to get Simon looking good.
If you could build in any feature to your figures (lights, sounds, movement, etc), would you?
It’s not really my thing to start filling up designs with bells and whistles. These are in my eyes more Art Pieces rather than toys or gadgets.
Some followers have noticed that when a new collection is announced, the collection is either CGI or is the regular illustration. Why the difference?
Sometimes I can’t do all the design myself, It’s sometimes impossible. Two series I did not design were Cartoon Network and Hannibal. These were done by our in house team and using a similar method to the one I use.
TITAN chose to show them off in CGI probably to test out and see what it looks like on the packaging, personally I’m not a huge fan of this method, It looks a bit weird to me.
Have you found that your TITAN and Tea figures have been a good introduction for collectors to your art pieces (Big Licker, Ping Pong Gone Wrong, etc.)?
I’ve been working in the Arty Toy land since 2005, making and selling my own designer collectibles and making plenty of fans happy along the way. Lunartik in a Cup of Tea was my first creation and has been my longest standing relationship to date.
TITAN has a slightly different audience to my normal fan base, I’m not sure many of the people who collect TITAN figures will come to me for art. Maybe it’s because my art is not full of pop culture references and more about the obscure and my personal feelings in my life.
It’s cool, I like having the split mixed fan relationships with different audiences.
Can you talk about (or give us hints to) any new collections coming out?
I can… NOT! TITAN will be reading this and I will have slapped wrists if I leak any of the good shit that coming out for the second half of this year.
We know that TITAN Merchandise received a license agreement for all the Star Trek generations leading up to the recent movies. Is the plan to release a Star Trek collection every year? Twice a year?
Hahahahaha. I leave all this business stuff up to TITAN, I am only an artist!
And as always, what is one thing from pop culture that you would love to do figures for?
Back to the Future, yes please, let’s do it.
Thanks again Matt and have a great second half of 2016!
Nice one, and thanks for the questions.
Make sure you check out Matt Jones’ website for more of his Cup of Tea, Big Licker and Ping Pong Gone Wrong, as well as this only place where you can get Artist Proof TITAN figures!
Travis Denman