Dear Insane Children, 

This morning we received a revised Production Sample for the Cheshire Kitten Plush. 

This is still a Work In Progress. We are still collecting feedback and working towards a Final Production Model. This IS NOT the Final Production Model. 

Quite a few details have updated based on our last round of feedback. Have a look… 

And a side by side shot with the Version 1 Production Sample…

Oh cruel world.

There you have it! 

Let us know in the comments below your feedback on this latest production sample. 

And please remember to provide Constructive and Actionable Feedback that will help to inform any changes we might decide to make with a future Production Sample. 

There will be another Production Sample after this one. 

Two main points I feel we need to address: 

1) The fur is still too long. It hides the detail in the tattoos and doesn’t capture the spirit of the emaciated Cheshire Cat we know from the games. Even if this is the kitten version – we still want shorter fur. Should not be a problem to achieve this goal.

2) Depth contouring of the facial features still needs work. While the overall shape and design of the head is much improved, I’d still like to see the nose and mouth contoured (outward) a bit more. 

On point #2, I think the factory is having a difficult time with this one. While making this model they sent me several concerned messages where they tried to explain they didn’t know how to combine the detail work with the contour requirements. Ultimately, we may never achieve our “ideal” in terms of shape… we need to keep in mind that there are limitations in terms of materials, production ability, and conflicting goals. 

While there may be examples of plush toys in the market where the workshop has managed to achieve more contoured facial details, it seems that the factory we’re currently working with doesn’t have the technology or skill to get there. 

If that’s the case, then we need to ask ourselves – is this aspect of the design important enough to warrant abandoning this workshop and going out to find an alternate who can (attempt to) achieve a more contoured face? That sort of process could introduce many months of searching and prototyping… so… something to think about and discuss.

That’s it from me… Share your feedback and thoughts in the comments below!

PS: My mom (now in Shanghai) says of this Cheshire Kitten, “It’s super cute!” 

From Shanghai with Meow, 

-American