The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023

The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023

From Marvel and Back to the Future, to Pee-wee Herman and Prey, here's a small sampling from the coolest convention on the planet.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
back to the future, gundam, black panther, lord of rings
A few examples of the awesomeness found at DesignerCon.
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Every year, there are a few dates I immediately look forward to on the calendar. My birthday, of course. My wedding anniversary. Christmas. Super Bowl. San Diego Comic-Con. And, maybe above all others, DesignerCon.

Advertisement

DesignerCon is an annual convention held in southern California (for now) that has something for everyone. If youā€™re into fine art, pop culture art, toys, sculptures, sneakers, Barbie, Ninja Turtles, Taylor Swift, whateverā€”thereā€™s something for you at DesignerCon. Plus, itā€™s just chill. Thereā€™s very little of the madness of a large-scale comic convention. This is more like hanging out with a bunch of cool people who happen to be in a convention center. And so, as I do every year, I headed to the event with no idea what to expect, and found myself delighted yet again.

The 2023 iteration of the event happened this past weekend in Anaheim, California, and the badges revealed that 2024's event would take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from November 15-17. Presumably, that means the convention is getting bigger and will be accessible to more people. Which is great. It also means that, probably, Iā€™m going to miss it. Which is less great. And so what follows might be my last DesignerCon post for a while. But itā€™s incredible. Image after image of pure and simple awesome. Check out my favorite things I saw at DesignerCon 2023 and click here to learn more about 2024 and beyond.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Naru from Prey

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

By artist Jason Edmiston, as part of his Eyes Without a Face series.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Pee Wee and Simone

Pee Wee and Simone

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Art by Mark Mavares

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Battle of the Beach from Barbie

Battle of the Beach from Barbie

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Art by Joey Mason

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Terminator figures

Terminator figures

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Kaiju One

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Chucky and friend

Chucky and friend

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Image: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by MikeFX

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Mobile Suit Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Image: io9/Germain Lussier

Art by Rory Kurtz, released by SpokeArt.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Art by Van Orton, released by SpokeArt.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Samurai Raphael

Samurai Raphael

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by S. Tolleson at CultureFly.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Disguised droids from Star Wars

Disguised droids from Star Wars

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Joshuaā€™s Toybox via DKE Toys.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Trek Fiction

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Toyzaholiks via DKE Toys.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide


Super Mario Free Solo


Super Mario Free Solo

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Dogman

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Alien minifigures

Alien minifigures

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Tony Mora.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Dexā€™s Diner

Dexā€™s Diner

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Centerpoint Studios (and yes, everyone is in there)

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Shin and Baylan customs

Shin and Baylan customs

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Centerpoint Studios (which takes Black Series figures and improves them).

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Marty McFly

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Uncle Skro

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Console hearts

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Heart Shaped Wednesdays

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Black Panther

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Jesse Hernandez

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Narsil from Lord of the Rings

Narsil from Lord of the Rings

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Ecclicraft

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

The Overlook

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Brad Albright, part of the Hollywood exhibition.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Mighty El Bartos

Mighty El Bartos

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Photo: io9/Germain Lussier

Created by Thumbs

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Feral Predator

Image for article titled The Amazing Art and Toys We Loved at DesignerCon 2023
Image: io9/Germain Lussier

From Prey, also by Jason Edmiston.

Advertisement