Spotlight on the Creators: Bright Potato
The inspiration for having a ‘Professor Freud’ toy came during our staff and volunteer reading group. We were reading Little Hans, and I remembered giggling about an annoyed Little Hans replying to his dad’s analytic questions – “Ask the Professor” (Freud).
For a small museum shop to approach large toy making companies with a bespoke plan would be impossible, due to the quantity we would have to order. The only way to bring this idea to life would be to partner with a small design company or group of artisans who would feel inspired by our idea and would see its potential.
Then an email from Bright potato with an introduction to their ‘Motleys’ arrived. Motleys are decorative wooden characters that playfully celebrate cultural figures from around the world and are made sustainably and from high quality wood. I particularly liked their pledge to plant 5 trees for every Motley sold to support Eden project reforestation efforts across the world.
We met Diego (Creator and Designer of the Motleys) and Lide (Director of Sales) at the museum and we immediately realised that we had found the perfect company for this project.
Designers Diego and David creating a Motley
We asked Diego after:
What was your first impression on seeing Freud’s collection, study and thinking about the brief?
I must be honest, I didn’t know much about Freud’s work and life initially. However, not only working for the special Motley but also visiting his last place of work was incredibly inspiring. It felt like travelling back in time to an analogue era, where time passed more slowly, and there was a deep appreciation for details, the time to read, and the enjoyment of art pieces, all of which could be felt in the room.
The first time I visited the museum and saw Freud’s collection, I was intrigued by how he appreciated objects, regardless of their size, and how carefully he chose and placed them. I got the impression that he didn’t like to see “empty” corners; he needed to fill these gaps with objects that “spoke” to him in some way. I firmly believe that being surrounded by these items stimulated his thinking and creativity, allowing him to connect not just with the objects, but also with the people who created them.
Our Motley collection connects with people in the same way we believe Freud connected with his collected pieces. There are different mindsets: some may acquire a decorative item purely for its aesthetic value and to fill a space, while others seek pieces that speak to them, inspire them, and accompany them through life with a deeper connection. In my humble opinion, I believe Freud belonged to this latter group.
The Professor motley on Freud’s Desk
How did the project develop? It would be great if you could introduce the artists who worked on the project and tell something about the working methods. How they work with the material?
The Motleys began as a very personal studio project. Our studio, Bright Potato, is run by two friends, David Beirne (Irish) and Diego Martinez Pereira (Spanish). From the outset, we were captivated by the idea of representing people from different cultures like us in a minimalist way. We instinctively knew it could be successful if we could connect emotionally with people.
We started building a collection inspired by different cultures, and lifestyles from around the world. Using the baby Motley as our canvas, we created the rest of the characters that make up the collection.
The design process for most Motleys is quite straightforward. We maintain a broad list of potential candidates to become a Motley, which includes suggestions from our community. Believe me, we’ve had some random suggestions, from David Attenborough to Boy George. We also have a special interest in figures that are less visible in society today, such as Amazonian or African tribes (Guarani, Tikuna, Masai, Zulu, etc.).
After selecting a character from the list, Diego, one of the Motley creators, conducts in-depth research to identify the most representative characteristics and details of the chosen person, whether it’s a hat, a special haircut, or flamboyant costumes.
Once this information is compiled, we begin sketching and analysing the aesthetics. We add colours, facial details, and accessories that the new Motley might have. After this, we reduce the number of details to a minimum while still making the character recognisable, and then move on to the 3D modelling of the future character. This task is usually handled by David, the studio’s 3D rendering artist, who implements every detail defined in the sketches. Then, the two of us review the model, make any necessary amendments, and finalise it.
For the Motley inspired by Sigmund Freud, we had a lovely conversation with Iveta (Retail Manager) and Tom (Research Manager) from the museum, they gave me an invaluable amount of information that wouldn’t be easy to get otherwise. Thanks to their input, we aimed to capture his serious appearance as a professor from the end of 19th and early 20th century. We depicted him wearing a hat and a vest with a pocket watch. For the head, we painted a white trimmed beard, carefully showcasing his mouth and iconic glasses.
The design process continues with 3D printing models, which we dress up to analyse the size and proportions of the figure with its accessories. We then create a final sample in the materials intended for production.
From the beginning of this project, we aimed to minimise the use of plastics. Therefore, the main parts of our Motleys are made from natural wood, such as maple, ash, or walnut. All parts have hidden magnets to keep the components together once finished (unfortunately, we couldn’t find wooden magnets, despite our efforts!). Parts are painted or sealed with clear lacquer to protect the wood, and the accessories or decorations of the Motley are made from brass, steel, leather, or ribbons, depending on the specific design and how these materials look on the final product.
The production of the Motleys that have been accepted and added to our catalogue is handled by our toy manufacturers in Vietnam, who provide the quality we seek. Additionally, we collaborate with organisations and individuals who believe in our work and want us to design and produce bespoke Motleys at our workshop. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to do this for the Freud Museum with the Professor.
Perhaps there is something anecdotal about the project that you would be happy to share.
Every project we undertake comes with its own set of stories and anecdotes that we love to share once it’s complete.
When we received the order enquiry from the Freud Museum, we were both excited and a bit apprehensive for two reasons. At that time, we had just received and set up a new machine in the workshop that was essential for completing this order. It was the very first time we were running the machine without prior testing. Anything could have gone wrong, despite our experience with creating these toys, which added to the excitement of doing it right from scratch.
We can confidently say that “the Professor” taught us a very important lesson: “perseverance is key; don’t give up easily.” We were close to completing the order on time. I (Diego) even attended a party at the museum and brought the very first sample with the paint still wet! However, we couldn’t meet the deadline due to some technical problems. Our workshop was freezing cold that winter, which worked against us. The paint froze, forcing us to postpone the delivery of the Professors.
Although such situations are challenging to navigate when they occur, we are grateful for the experience and the outcome. We maintained open communication with the Museum throughout the process, keeping them informed at every stage. We also appreciate that Iveta and her team’s understanding of the situation made things easier.
One particularly memorable moment was when we realised the impact of the cold on our materials. It was a humbling reminder of the importance of environmental conditions in our work. Despite these hurdles, the project reinforced our commitment to quality and our ability to adapt and persevere under pressure.
The Professor motleys on the Couch
You can read about Bright Potato, on their website here.
Shop Motleys here.
Interviewed by Iveta Rozlapa
Retail Manager
