Webkinz History: Designing the Webkinz Signature Line

An interview with Webkinz plush designer!

As we celebrate 20 years of Webkinz, we couldn’t resist revisiting one of the most beloved collections in Webkinz history—the iconic Signature line.

 
 
Dorothy Lou sat down with Erica, the all-star plush designer and head of Plush Product Development at Ganz, for a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and care that went into bringing these premium pets to life.

 
 
Erica has been the creative force behind every Webkinz plush we’ve come to know and love, and it was a true pleasure catching up with her to reflect on her incredible work.
 
 

DL: What was the idea behind the Signature line?
 
 
E: When we started the Webkinz Signature line we wanted to offer fans an elevated collection piece that still gave them all the in game play that they already loved.
 
 
DL: How did you achieve the elevated look?
 
 
E: The fabrics we selected were atypical of what was happening in the plush industry at the time but spoke to the traditional plush toys of the 1990s where fabrics were knitted vinyls.
 
The cuts of the fabric were unique to each pad, with pile lengths that went from smooth to an uneven cut in order to replicate the realism of an animal’s true coat. We then added sparkling crystal eyes, which are much more lifelike, and details such as airbrush.
 
 
DL: Airbrushing sounds so special and challenging!
 
 
E: Yes, airbrushing itself is a specialized art. Color gradations and subtle details can be achieved through airbrushing and spraying right onto the plush. But, the artist can’t mess up if the airbrushing goes wrong, the plush is ruined. This means that each piece had to be really slowly and very carefully crafted
 
 
DL: Of course we all know a signature when we see one, but you added details just to iconify the collection–
 
 
E: We topped the items off by changing the thread of the magic W to a golden thread, and added gold foil embossing to the hang tag, completing the overall look.
 
 
DL: An overall look that is still beloved.
 
 
E: These items were, and still are, high end collector’s pieces with an attention to detail that we are really proud of.

 
 
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