The artist and character lover Steve Rack has just launched his new website ILikeCharacters.com, a hub for all things character art! As part of the launch Steve is running a wonderful competition to win signed artwork from Bubi Au Yeung (Treeson), Dan Goodsell (Mr.Toast) and a 'Make More Pictures' Speakerdog poster from Ben the Illustrator! There are also super interviews with all three artists.
To enter the competition, read the interviews and discover all there is to discover about character art, get yourself on over to ILikeCharacters.com!
It's all okay! No-one has to wait any longer! Everything is going to be a-okay! Matt Hawkins' much anticipated and awaited new book has hit the shelves, it's the first designer paper toy book to be published and it's a wonder to behold! Like a 'Hall Of Fame' for the paper toy scene this book can't be passed up on! It includes 26 paper toys all deay to make from the likes of Matt himself, Shin Tanaka and Big Chief. It also includes a very special Speakerdog Paper Toy, a little chap we call Barkley!
There will be a super book launch and signing at Mobius Gallery in L.A. California where you will also be able to pick up Speakerdog posters and some special hand-customised Speakerdog Paper Toys by Ben the Illustrator!
Click here to get your copy of Urban Paper!
Not since Michaelangelo tried getting David sent by courier has the art world and the postal service been so close! After two years of good honest work Darren De Lieto has recently published his Mail Me Art book! Full to the brim with envelopes and packages from artists all over the world, plus interviews from the likes of Catalina Estrada, Jon Burgerman, Sauerkids, Jeff MIracola and Ben the Illustrator!
You can order the Mail Me Art book here or to see the super Speakerdog box click here!
Last year Speakerdog sailed over to St.Louis to take part in The World's Largest Plush Show over at Crammed Organisms! We just got ourselves a copy of the exhibition book and it's chocabloc full of plush, lush, stuffed stuff!
Here's the Speakerdog Softies that exhibited themselves along with their tour poster! To get your hands on these exclusive, original, handmade-by-Fi plush toys get over to BuyBenTheIllustrator.com!
Our wonderfully inspiring and super colourful new posters are now on sale and ready for your walls! A2 sized and printed on Revive 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks they are, perhaps, our best poster yet!
You can order the 'Make More Pictures' poster now for just £8.50 worldwide!
In a world of trailblazing design big dogs and crafty cheating copycats, there is only one route to reach great heights, and that's to follow your own path! No-one enjoys being ripped off, whether it's a character or a typeface, an art print or a toy, so let's all shout out loud "Of the real, by the real, for the real! WE DON'T NEED FAKE!!!"
'WE DON'T NEED FAKE' is a new project set-up by paper pioneer and friend of Speakerdog, Shin Tanaka, to promote the idea of stopping all the copying and stepping up to design from your own hearts and minds. Seven paper toys have been designed so far to spread the message so check out the site, download your favourite and display with pride!
Click here to check out WE DON'T NEED FAKE!!!
Speakerdog does get his face everywhere, and this week he's appearing on a super paper toy by Saltnpaper. This 'Nogloo' toy was customised by Ben to express the need to 'Try Every Angle!' whether it's in mathematics or life!
Click here to check out Saltnpaper and get the Nogloo!!
A little while back we recieved an email from an entrepreneurial young man called Ben Unyolo, Ben is part of a team of keen young business-minds at his school, currently taking part in the Young Enterprise scheme. Ben and his colleagues have set-up a company in their school designing and selling Speakerdog Paper Toys and we thought they were well worth a mention here! They even recently took their products into their local shopping centre and had a great days sales! They are also using the business to raise funds for The Donna Louise Trust, a fantastic hospice that offers respite and support for children facing life threatening conditions and their families.
Ben, Fi and Speakerdog wish the whole team lots of luck with it all, we look forwards to hearing what else they put their minds to and hope they are very successful in their fundraising!
Our first new poster of the year is almost ready for release and will be on sale on March 2nd! However you can pre-order your 'Make More Pictures' poster now for a reduced price of just £10!
This poster is the first product in our new 'Make More Pictures' range, with a lot more to come! The 'Make More Pictures' poster is printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable based inks and measures 594mm x 426mm so say it loud... Make! More! Pictures!
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR POSTER!
Here's just a few of the hand-drawn Speakerdog postcards by Ben the Illustrator which were sent out to lucky buyers at the end of 2008! More offers will pop-up on the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop this year so stay tuned!
He's flying as high as ever! This Speakerdog wall art is currently open for voting over on Infectious.com, get over there and say how much you love it!
Click here to vote and comment on the Flying Speakerdogs!
Speakerdog has been hanging out down at the riverside a lot recently, kicking up some fallen leaves and catching up with old friends. Ben's first new piece of Speakerdog artwork in a little while, stay tuned for many more exciting pieces and products in 2009!
Click here to see the image in the gallery!
The good chaps at Thunder Chunky are currently preparing the best in festive treats, putting together a number of super selection boxes full of goodies donated by artists and designers from around the world, including Tado, The Boy Fitz Hammond, Andy Smith, Kenn Munk and some signed Speakerdog posters and hand-drawn doodles by Ben the Illustrator!
To read more and find out how to get your hands on a selection box check out their special microsite!
It's been a long time coming, but finally, today, you can get your crafty hands on 45 brand new Speakerdog Paper Toy designs from some of the most creative and crazy artists from all over Mexico! 'La Serie Mexico' is go!
We are all so excited about launching this series of paper toys, we'd like to say a massive thank you to all the artists who have taken part, muchas gracias!
Click here to check out La Serie Mexico!
It's been a great year for Speakerdog, Ben and Fi, it's been a really great 2008, in fact it's been Two Thousand and Ace! To show our appreciation and love for everyone who has enjoyed Speakerdog this year, we're knocking 25% off all the World Lovin' Posters making them a super special £7.50 to all!
This price will stick all the way up to 2009, so get yourself some colour and get yourself some love with a super special Speakerdog World Lovin' Poster!
Click here to visit the online shop!
We are very pleased, excited and bubbling up to announce that Fi, Ben and Speakerdog will be joining a select handful of wonderful artists this Christmas in Bristol for the Here Gallery & Shop's Xmas Show!
From the 5th December you'll be able to pop in and view, explore, purchase and adore pieces of work from all the artists listed on the flyer above. If you pop in you'll be able to pick up Speakerdog World Lovin' Posters, badges, postcards and Speakerdog Softies!
Click here to find out more!
Sketchels! | 21.10.08
The one only known as Jeremyville has just launched series number 2 of his fantastic Sketchels product, including these one-off hand painted designs by Ben the Illustrator, featuring Speakerdog!Other artists involved in the Sketchels project include Tim Biskup, Peskimo, Juju's Delivery Service and Paulo Arraiano.
Check out the Speakerdog Sketchels here!
Barcelona-based design-loving book creators Monsa have just published a new collection of illustrators' work in the great new book 'Ilustracion De Vanguardia'. Alongside work by Gary Baseman and Tara McPherson, you'll also find plenty of work by Ben the Illustrator including 'Feast For The Senses' and 'Play!' featuring Speakerdog!
You can find out more about the book here!
Okido Magazine! | 21.10.08
The sixth beautiful issue of Okido Magazine is now on sale and includes a special Speakerdog Paper Toy! Okido is a wonderful art and science magazine for creative children of all ages. This issue of Okido is about germs and mini-beasts, so this Speakerdog is asking for a good bubbly bath!Many thanks to Sophie Dauvois and Rachel Ortas for inviting us to contribute!
Click here to get yourself a copy!
Babyboss Magazine! | 13.10.08
Coming straight out of Indonesia and across the globe, Babyboss Issue 4 is now available and features a super colourful 10 page feature on Ben the Illustrator, including a lot of super colourful Speakerdog artwork! Thanks and respect to all the good guys at Babyboss and VektorJunkie!If you're outside South East Asia and want to get a copy then email here!
The Speakerdog Sketchbook! | 11.09.08
We're super happy to launch a new section in 'The World Of Speakerdog' showing how each illustration comes to life, with our trusty old friends, pencil and paper!Click here to open the Speakerdog Sketchbook!
Speakerdog Goes Beyond Trend! | 29.08.08
The essential design book 'Beyond Trend - How To Innovate In An Over-Designed World' has been published worldwide and we're very pleased that Speakerdog makes an appearance on it's pages!Published by HOW Design and written and compiled by Matt Mattus, 'Beyond Trend' is a guide to all things original in design, illustration, architecture, culture and creativity.
Click here to get yourself a copy!
Stick-It! | 01.07.08
Speakerdog recently swung over to Lima, Peru for the International Sticker Convention known only as Stick-It! A feast of artists sent stickers from around the globe with a few special ones turning up to stick a little paint on the walls too!
Store Refurb! | 30.06.08
The Ben the Illustrator & Speakerdog online store has had a mighty refurb! It's still super packed with posters, art prints, softies and badges so get yourself over there!Click here to get shopping!
Speakerdog Foamies! | 20.06.08
A super fresh brand new format to enjoy Speakerdog in your home! Speakerdog Foamies are hand-crafted foamboard wall hangings. Every one is a unique design made with love by Fi the Imaginator and Ben the Illustrator!Speakerdog Foamies are currently on sale at Here Gallery, Falmouth, UK!
Crammed Organisms! | 11.06.08
The World's Largest Plush Show 'Crammed Organisms' launched last week with the first of four super shows in St.Louis USA! Speakerdog will be attending all four shows, with a new Speakerdog Softie appearing at each event. Getting cosy in the middle of the above shot you can see 'Over The Hills And Far Away' enjoying the great plush party! Check out exhibition page for more photos from St.Louis!Below you can see all four designs, check out the Speakerdog Softies page for more details about each toy!
Step Into Our World! | 03.06.08
Speakerdog's latest exhibition is now on! 'Step Into Our World' is currently taking place at Here & Now Gallery in Falmouth, Cornwall UK and is full of fresh inspiring artwork by Ben the Illustrator and wonderful new plush toys by Fi the Imaginator!For full details click here!
New World Lovin' Posters! | 03.06.08
There's five, count them! FIVE! super fresh new Speakerdog posters added to the fabulous World Lovin' Posters collection! The new posters include three brand new pieces of artwork from the Step Into Our World Exhibition, a classic exhibition poster and a rather fresh and friendly flower-powerful piece of graphic art!As ever, the World Lovin' Posters are A3, only £10 each, and printed with world lovin' care using eco-inks on Forest Stewardship Certified paper. Love your world, love your walls, love your Speakerdog!
To check out all the posters on the shop click here!
New Speakerdog Softies! | 03.06.08
Three new fuzzy friends have been added to the Speakerdog Softies collection! "Mo' Bubbles", "Rise & Shine" and "We All Scream For Ice Cream" are all currently on exhibition duty at Here & Now Gallery in lovely Falmouth!To check out all the softies and their stories click here!
Capiusa Design Festival | 30.05.08
This year's Capiusa Design Festival has heroically stood proud in sunny Guatemala and we're very happy to say Speakerdog made an appearance and won an award!As part of the festival the organisers asked for artwork following the brief 'Make Design Not War' for which the above piece was awarded highly! Speakerdog would like to thank everyone at the festival for setting such a wonderful brief and the judges for picking him out!
The Piggy Bank Exhibition! | 03.06.08
Speakerdog recently shifted shape a little for a trip to Spain! Art guru James Marr invited a selection of artists to customize some wonderful handmade terracotta piggies all the way from his area of Spain for one of the most enjoyable art projects of the year. Speakerdog appears looking nice and fresh and loving the big blue!The customized piggies, along with a great bunch of illustrated pig characters are being exhibited at Marrs Bar in Benidorm. Other artists involved include Paulo Arraiano, Sauerkids, Sneaky Raccoon, Ghostpatrol, Matt Joyce and Yok!
For full details and pictures from the exhibition click here!
Speakerdog Munny at Pinkghost! | 19.05.08
'Speakerdog Up In The Clouds' is a fresh little hand- customised Mini Munny currently on show in the GIANT Skills exhibition at PinkGhost in Florida, it's also for sale over on their website!Click here to check out all the Munnies in the show!
'Come Out And Play' Gelaskins! | 06.05.08
A brand new piece to freshen up your appliances! 'Come Out And Play' is now available as a Gelaskin for your ipods, iphones, macbooks and laptops! The super colourful items are exclusively for sale over at Urban Retro so get on over there and brighten up your portables. And if you remember to do one thing this Summer... remember to COME OUT AND PLAY!Click here for Urban Retro!
Speakerdog Loves! | 30.04.08
A super new and super fresh links page full to the tiptop with pictures and words all about everything Speakerdog loves!It's called SPEAKERDOG LOVES and it's here!
Custom Vinyls Toys On The Shop! | 17.04.08
There's a family of hand-customised vinyl toys now available on the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop!Speakerdog uses Unipo figures as billboards for his words of wisdom with Love To Live! and Live To Love! Rainbeau is here to spread his colour palette full of sunshine and rainbows! and Speakerdog's ancestor 'The Beastie Bear' delivers some old fashioned freshness to the collection.
Stay tuned for more custom vinyls appearing soon at Pink Ghost in Florida and Go Go Plastic in Birmingham UK!
New Speakerdog Softies! | 12.04.08
Two new super additions to the Speakerdog Softie family! Both hand-crafted by Fi the Imaginator, 'Rainbow Dreams' and 'Kites Are Fun' will take you on a journey skywards!Both new toys are now available from the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop or for further details have a wander around the Speakerdog Softies page
Speakerdog Softies have been lucky enough to be chosen to take part in The World's Largest Plush Show, coming up this Summer in St Louis! Four specially created Softies will be making the long journey to appear in this awesome event, stay tuned for more details!
Call For Artists from Mexico & Japan! | 27.03.08
We are currently calling out for artists based in Mexico or Japan to work on two very special series of Speakerdog Paper Toys!If you live in Mexico or Japan and fancy putting your handiwork to a Speakerdog Paper Toy then please get in touch!
For full details please click here!
Speakerdog Softies! | 26.03.08
Speakerdog is a big softie on the inside and now, with a little help from Fi the Imaginator, he is all warm & fuzzy on the outside too!
A new home has grown especially for the Speakerdog Softies where you can see all the creations, read about them, and even buy one for yourself!
Click here to enjoy a land of Speakerdog Softies!
Speakerdog Paper Toys Series 5! | 03.03.08
Everybody loves Speakerdog paper toys, and now there's even more to love!
Series 5 is go! With 50 new designs by 48 super artists from all over the planet, this batch is going to pack your shelves with goodness!
To enjoy the designs and download the toys click here!
Go Go Speakerdog Exhibition! | 25.02.08
The Go Go Speakerdog exhibition is now on at Go Go Plastic in Birmingham!
The exhibition includes brand new artwork, custom vinyl toys, paper toys and super plush toys!
For full details and pictures from the exhibition click here!
Love To Post! | 25.02.08
Speakerdog recently joined the gallery in the ace Love To Post project!
Love To Post involves a great bunch of artists putting their artwork onto blank postacrds and sending them over to Martin Rimmer, the man behind it all! Martin has already recieved work from Andy Smith, Tado, Peskimo, Jon Burgerman, Lunartik, and now Speakerdog!
Click here to check out the Love To Post project!
Speakerdog Meets Nani Bird! | 18.02.08
Ben the Illustrator and mckibillo teamed up to bring together Speakerdog with Josh's Nani Birds!
The result is Ben's 'Treehouse Pals' and mckibillo's 'The Dears', four joyful paper creatures! All four toys are available to download and create for free in one PDF package!
Click here to download the super paper toy package!
City Birds! | 31.01.08
A new collaboration with Eyeformation aka +EF+ on his City Birds project. +EF+ designed the bird, Ben the Illustrator filled it in with Speakerdog and sunshine! Check out the project and plenty of other artists' designs!
Click here to check out the City Birds project!
Cube Mech! | 18.01.08
Ben the Illustrator recently collaborated with Charlie in his Cube Mech project and cross-bred a new species of Cube Mech and Speakerdog! Charlie has started getting other fresh artists and illustators involved with some great results, check out the other designs and get yourself involved!
Click here to check out more Cube Mech creations!
Thunder Chunky Prints! | 09.12.07
The art-loving chaps at Thunder Chunky have brought together six of the freshest artists and designers together to create a truly fantastic set of prints!
Along with Ben the Illustrator's magical Speakerdog print (above), the set also contains wonderful prints by Jon Burgerman, Jeremyville, Kev Speck, The Boy Fitz Hammond and McFaul. As a very special extra, the back of each print has a photo of the artwork being created!
Click here to check out the TC print set!
The Speakerdog Exhibition! | 12.11.07
The First Ever Speakerdog Exhibition is now on! There are paintings, prints, toys, paper, vinyl, felt and mirrors currently on show at the incredibly rad Kitch-en Gallery and Shop in Middlesbrough, UK!
Pop over to the exhibition, have a sit down and enjoy yourself! If you can't make it there, click here to see the photos!
Click here to visit the exhibition page!
Speakerdog Softies! | 12.11.07
Due to Speakerdog's big soft warm heart, Fi the Imaginator thought it was only right that he had some big soft warm-hearted plush toys! The three super sweet Speakerdog Softies are hand-crafted by Fi from felt, fleece, wool and buttons!
The Softies are currently on display at The Speakerdog Exhibition and will be on sale in the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop in December.
The Grateful Ted! | 12.11.07
He's a 60s throwback, he's Speakerdog's number one fan, he's The Grateful Ted! A very special customised vinyl Teddy Troop by Ben the Illustrator, Grateful Ted harks back to peace-loving 1960's California styles and loves everything Speakerdog.
Grateful Ted is hand-customised, so there is only one 10" figure in existance, he is currently on display at The Speakerdog Exhibition and will be on sale in the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop in December.
Craftzine Paper Toy Exclusive! | 12.11.07
The best resource for getting crafty is surely Craftzine, and if you pop over there now you can get your crafty hands on an exclusive Speakerdog Paper Toy entitled 'The Gingham Special'.
Shop Refurbishment! | 23.10.07
We've had a tidy up and refurbished the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop. There's cracking new 'World Lovin' Posters' and many, many more Speakerdog prints and products for your enjoyment!
New Artwork! In Print! | 22.10.07
Two super-double-flipping new pieces of Speakerdog artwork by Ben the Illustrator now available in our new range of 'World Lovin' Posters' printed using all environmentally-sound inks and paper.
Take a look at the new posters!
Candy Pop Postcards! | 22.10.07
A neat and tidy set of three postcards in candy poppin' colours!
Take a look at the poppin' postcards!
Thunder Chunky! | 19.10.07
There's an interview with Ben the Illustrator, all about Speakerdog, over on the new and improved Thunder Chunky website!
Thunder Chunky is packed full of interviews with illustrators and designers, plus they've some awesome printed projects on the way, keep a very keen eye on them!
Click here to check out The Team Colours!
The Team Colours! | 08.10.07
Ben the Illustrator has joined forces with five wonderful artists and formed The Team Colours!
A team of artists that play nice with colour!
Speakerdog Series 4 Paper Toys! | 08.10.07
Oh my word, another incredible bunch of Speakerdog Paper Toys from all corners of the globe!
Shin Tanaka Collaboration! | 08.10.07
You say 'paper toy' I say 'Shin Tanaka', he's the grandmaster of contemporary origami and it's a pleasure to have crossed over with him on our paper toy projects.
Shin has created a wonderful Speakerdog Paper Toy for Series 4, and Ben the Illustrator has created a special Speakerdog Mask Hoody for Shin's own Series 4.
Click here to see Shin Tanaka's Mask Hoody Paper Toys!
Speakerdog Badges! | 07.10.07
Three wonderful, colourful, beautiful and sweetiful sets of badges now available from the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop!
Speakerdog Meets Project Detonate! | 06.10.07
Ever wondered what would happen if Ben The Illustrator shared a piece of paper with Project Detonate? The result is one of the freshest and coolest prints this side of the Arctic Circle. There are only 50 editions of this print in existance, all numbered and signed by both artists. 25 of them are available at the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop!
A Feast For The Senses! | 05.10.07
Even Speakerdog gets hungry, and nature has everything he needs! A fresh new art print available from the Buy Ben The Illustrator Shop!
Play! | 29.09.07
A brand new art print for all the retro video gamers! This new A3+ giclee print features elements from many many classic video games, can you name them all?
Computer Arts Projects | 23.09.07
The current issue of Computer Arts Projects (Issue 102) is out now and it'sd a very special edition featuring the best in character design, including Speakerdog! Check out the CD inside for a Speakerdog paper toy and illustration gallery. The issue also features character design masters Pete Fowler, Tado, Rob Reger, Shin Tanaka and Alexis West.
Pupstyle | 05.09.07
All the fresh dog owners get their kicks at Pupstyle.com, so it was ace to recently be in touch with founders Jon and Dara. They wanted to give the Speakerdog Paper Toys a special feature on the site, so Ben The Illustrator created a special paper toy design just for them.
Click here to get your paws on the special Pupstylin' Speakerdog!
Barkley! | 28.08.07
This very special Speakerdog Paper Toy has been designed by Ben The Illustrator for a forthcoming book about the wonderful world of modern-day paper toys! The book is being put together by paper-toy guru Matt Hawkins and is entitled 'Urban Paper'. The Speakerdog Paper Toys will be featured in the book, and the template for Barkley (that's his name, by the way) will come free with the book.
You'll have to wait a while until you can make your own Barkley though, the book will be published by HOW Design in early 2009!
Paper Toys Series 3! | 13.08.07
We've just unleashed 35 fantastic new designs of Speakerdog paper toys created by artists all over the world!
Free Stickers! | 30.07.07
2 pages full of wonderful stickers for you to print out and slap up around your home, for free!
Colour! Glorious Colour! | 02.07.07
Bringing our attention to the colour swatches in the world around us. A wonderful new Giclee print now available from the BuyBenTheIllustrator shop!
Speak Up! | 25.06.07
A message for everyone, free speech is free after all. A fresh new poster now available from the BuyBenTheIllustrator shop!
Paper Toys Series 2! | 18.06.07
Series 2 of the Speakerdog Paper Toys has been launched, with 21 brand new designs from wonderful artists around the globe!
Dogography | 08.06.07
A collection of Speakerdog iconography, spread across a poster and now available from the BuyBenTheIllustrator shop!
It's Nice To Be Nice | 07.06.07
Super new poster now available on the BuyBenTheIllustrator shop!
Speakerdog Says... | 29.05.07
The first issue of Speakerdog's very own magazine is now available on the BuyBenTheIllustrator shop!
Thats right kids, a beautiful little zine jam-packed with awesome illustrations by Ben the Illustrator, games to play and your very own baby paper toy! All this comes wrapped up in a super mini poster!
Click here to visit BuyBenTheIllustrator!
New Speakerdog Prints! | 29.05.07
There are 3 wonderful new art prints now available on the BuyBenTheIllustrator shop!
Click here to visit BuyBenTheIllustrator!
Mail Me Art! | 24.05.07
My latest contribution for the Mail Me Art project came about while on travels in Australia. Inspired by the many awesome beaches we visited "Love The Big Blue" catches Speakerdog hangin' ten!
Mail You Art! | 10.05.07
Inspired by the Mail Me Art project, you can now buy very exclusive 'Mail You Art' from the BuyBenTheIllustrator shop!
Each envelope is A4, board-backed and will be sent to you exactly as it is, your address written in the box, the stamps stuck on top of the artwork.
Click here to check out the shop!
Sneaker Pimps World Tour! | 09.05.07
These hand-painted 'Have Good Times' sneakers are currently touring the world with the Sneaker Pimps global exhibition! They'll be hitting a city near you soon so go check them and a whole bunch of other super custom sneakers out.
Click here to see the full details of the Sneaker Pimps World Tour!
'End Of The Rainbow' mini prints! | 08.05.07
A new set of prints has just gone on sale at the Ben the Illustrator shop! The series is entitled 'End Of The Rainbow' and includes four Speakerdog illustrations, each in a wonderful place at the end of the rainbow!
The prints are available separately or as a set of four.
Click here to check out the prints!
Brown Paper Posters! | 07.05.07
Speakerdog belt! | 23.03.07
SPUK Clothing have just released a very special Speakerdog leather belt! It's black leather with a fluoro green print and it's super wonderful!
Click here to visit the SpunkyStore!
