A Toy Matter

My name is Jacobo Prieto, and I am a visual artist, industrial designer, and educator based in Madrid, Spain. It was during my final dissertation for the MA Industrial Design course at Central Saint Martins, UAL, that I discovered the world of designer toys—a moment that transformed a childhood fascination into a lifelong passion, shaping both my personal and professional journey.

For the past year, I have been a PhD researcher at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, focusing specifically on art toys. This niche, which embraces the idea that a toy matters as more than just a plaything, has become the cornerstone of my creative and academic work. My journey into designer toys began in 2020 while working in the design department of UNGA, a toy company based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

This passion led me to establish my own toy brand, A Toy Matter.

My creations draw on a wide range of influences, blending satire, visual ambiguity, pop culture, comic art, animation, and science fiction into unique pieces that challenge conventional perceptions of toys. Each design is a deeply personal expression of my artistic vision, thoughtfully crafted through sketching, conceptual design, modelling, handcrafting, painting, and packaging. I manage every step of the process, underscoring the creativity and dedication that define this "toy matter."

After exhibiting my work at the Art Toy Con in Valencia last July, I am determined to take the next step. I aspire to present my creations at the upcoming Toy Con in London—a city that played a pivotal role in my journey, where I first discovered designer toys and created my initial designs.

For me, these toys are more than mere objects; they are a form of storytelling, a way to connect with others, and a tangible representation of the worlds I imagine.

www.atoymatter.com