comm. work,  dollies

Dollies R Us

January 9, 2011 /

I know my pricing is quite expensive but believe me, it is because I created the whole thing by myself, I do not download free vectors to create my artwork. I create from scratch based on pictures given by customers but of course the main template is the same and I recycle additional items from time to time. Like the dollies below, it has overall the same template and the differences between them are the clothing, additional items like headgear, accessories, favorite colors and what not. Of course I can create vogue and chic dolly as well as making the doll to look like you by request. The price I charge includes the time I spent on creating as well as license/ permission for personal usage.

Basically its RM15 for a single dolly (for blog/web usage only, different rates apply for prints) but if customer requests for item that I have not created yet, or if the item (let say a branded big bike) will take time to draw, the charge is more. For traditionally drawing, I charge RM150 per hour and imagine creating a digital additional item for dolly that takes up an hours to make. But it’s a win-win situation, I charge maybe another RM15 for a digital bike, and I get linky love from them.

The history of the dollies goes back to 2008 and I am really thankful to Marzie for encouraging me to make it as a side business and she was my very first customer.  The dolly is a modification of my character that I created traditionally for personal projects and it goes back from 2006, the year I started blogging. My character has been going through an evolution until I came up with Hoard illustration. I put the dolly on my sidebar and before long, Marzie had noticed it and want one for herself. Then came Ladyjava and others.

first few customers

The term ‘dolly’ came from the word Doll, meaning child’s toy or a girl who is pleasant to look at.

Back then I accepted EC Credits as payments and later opened it to more customers by accepting Paypal as well as local online transaction. The business went great for good two years before competitors came in with the same ‘dolly’ term for their own characters but I am glad to learn that some are using other words like MyChibi or Mini-Me to name their characters. I think they are brilliant and creative people. The terms ‘dolly’ is not mine, so I guess anybody can use it. It’s just that I am referring my character as dolly.

dollies fav

These are my favourite girls. They were all created back in 2008.

my fav

And this one is my favorite commission dolly of Wendy Vee! I took more than an hour to draw the bike even after leaving out some important parts on it!

Overall, I think the competition is good, it’s healthy and it gives customer the options on the style of characters they want. I’m glad I have sparked or inspired other designers to do the same. Like the Malay saying, “Rezeki masing-masing”.

With more competitors last year, request for dollies or headers are hardly coming in but Alhamdulillah, I got few commission jobs late last year and early this year. All illustrations here are copyrighted, please read my terms: Emila’s Terms.

Logo with baby and toddlers dolly for AlMahirah.

byc

Logo for Brainy Young Caliphs.

for farah nurjannah

bride & bridegroom dollies for Farah B(left) and Nur Jannah (right)

Stylish Sofiya

Created for Stylish Sofiya for her e-commerce shop.

These are created for Liyana who wanted her dolly to mimic her real appearance – the face and ulfah. Same goes to her son.

Anyway, I am moving on to something better but you can still hire me to do the dolly or headers or what not using digital or traditional method, I am comfortable with both.

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart to all who have given me the faith to create for them.

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