Design Decode had the pleasure of interviewing Alexander Kubalsky, an Australian toy designer who worked with Takara Tomy to bring us many memorable Transformers toys.
As we edge closer to the release of Transformers: Bumblebee live action movie, we should not forget to thank Mr. Alex Kubalsky; for he is not only the main engineer of the Classics Bumblebee but also the co-engineer of Movie Bumblebee (2007) as well as Animated Bumblebee.
…I eventually realised that the transformation itself can have an art or meaning to it. It does have to just be a functional process to get it from form A to form B; it can also be about the journey. I call this Signature Transformation.
In this concept the transformation movement should either relate somehow to the character or creature that it becomes. For example, I once designed a Bumblebee Transformer that did the helicopter breakdance movement with his legs as he transformed so the end user gets to experience a sense of drama or character as they transform the toy. When I was at TakaraTomy in Japan I wrote a piece explaining this titled “We are not engineers, we are dance choreographers”
*****
I like how when you look at a Transformer in its initial state, its surface is riddled with cut lines, recessed sections for the clearance of moving parts, and recessed holes with exposed screws – the necessary sacrifice to the otherwise smooth surface of its form if it didn’t need to transform.
Instead of viewing these engineering constraints as a compromise to art we should see it as just another tool or medium in the art. I don’t think engineers can benefit too much from art. We need their stoic and objective resolve to pair with the artist, not compete.
*****
When I started at Takaratomy on the Transformers action figures I noticed that they had been designing their robot forms with very straight backs and legs like they were standing to attention. If you were to look directly at the side of one, the neck, shoulder, pelvis, knee, and ankle joints were all in a vertical line top to bottom. I suggested that we move the shoulder line back, make him seem more confident, move the pelvis line forward, make him seem more arrogant etc.
The result was that if you look at a lot of Transformer toys designed between 2005 and 2009 you see this stance start to move. There is a curve through the form. They used to call it the ‘Kubalsky S’. This small addition added more drama in the robot form and I think Takaratomy still use this idea in the Transformer toy line today.
You can check out the full interview at Design Decode. We also mirrored some of the cool engineering sketches and prototypes shared with the article.
Ra88
Yeah, Jesslyn did the sculpt and refining, Alex did the basic model and transformation scheme.
netkid
Alex is a great designer. His work on the original 2007 deluxe Camaro Bumblebee has been echoing through every other movie Camaro Bumblebee (and TF: Prime Bumblebee) toy since.
RetroElectro
Yeah could be. I could've sworn she was in the Terrageis thread when I was evaluating the Trailbreaker options. But maybe she handled the sculpt and Alexander K was the main designer.
mikeszekely
I could have sworn she did Backdraft. I seem to recall some of the harsher criticism of that figure is why she doesn't come to the boards anymore.
TheSoundwave
I was going to comment on this when it first popped up, but I completely forgot to.
2007 Deluxe Bumblebee was probably my favorite Transformers toy growing up, I remember being wowed when I first transformed it. The 2007 line was already a major step forward in terms of complexity, but I truly believe this figure was the one that ushered in a new era for the brand. There was just a certain innovative quality to it, and it was very visually pleasing in both modes.
I really like how this designer sees the transformations as an art of it's own, and understands to make it fun. I wish the designers would be credited on the toy packages, I've never really understood why they're not. Is there anyplace I can go to see a list of Transformers designers, and what toys they designed? I'd be really interested in something like that…
RetroElectro
I thought jesslynnMMC was the lead designer for Terrageis?
Spicytron
This is a neat read.
Now I want to see the insider on who keeps thinking that transparent plastic is good for load-bearing joints on a figure, I have choice words for them.
Shin Densetsu
Thanks man! Maybe it's time I dive into Ocular Max…
LazyAza
Released products.
MMC Occular Max Sphinx (MP Mirage)
MMC Occular Max Terrageis (MP Trailbreaker)
MMC Occular Max Backdraft (MP Inferno)
MMC Remix Jaguar (MP Ravage)
MMC Remix Volture and Buzzard (MP Laserbeak and Buzzsaw)
MMC Remix Furor and Riot (MP Rumble and Frenzy)
In production for 2018 release
MMC Occular Max Azalea (MP Arcee)
In development for 2019-2020 release
MMC Occular Max Incursus (MP Onslaught)
MMC Occular Max Impetus (MP Vortex)
MMC Occular Max Fraudo (MP Swindle)
MMC Occular Max Probus (MP Brawl)
MMC Occular Max Volatus (MP Blastoff)
MMC Remix Autobot MP casettes
Infosaur
Finally got around to reading the article. Unfortunately though I have no doubt of his brilliance, it reminds me of why I hate listening to artists talk.
It's not their talent I doubt, it's the inability to convey the concept into language and back.
godotislate
MMC prints credits on each box in the Ocular Max line for all the various creatives involved. So the ones that have an "AK" credit are ones he had a hand in (don't have them all handy to reference atm).
thedicemaster
this guy?:
View attachment 28126049
View attachment 28126050
he's called high score 100.
Infosaur
I've always had a theory that every once in a while, some designer at a car company gets shot down because his concept goes to far, isn't marketable, can't meet cost targets, etc. so he goes over to Matchbox/Hotwheels and "has a few drinks."
Shin Densetsu
This guy is brilliant and does anyone have a list of the 3P figures he designed?
The Madness
Looks like you're the only one kicking the thread down that path at this stage. How about you chill a bit?
There's not really much in this interview that hasn't already been covered in previous features, so not much to comment on otherwise.
TyrantGalvatron
Grrreeeaaatt…..in short order this thread is going to devolve into a Hasbro/Takara vs 3rd Party shitfest.
I for one think it's cool that we *FINALLY* received confirmation that 3rd party companies have employed HasTak engineers.
And who are we to judge? We don't know the circumstances behind his decision to work for Mastermind Creations. So negative feelings and feigned moral dilemmas directed toward Mr. Kubalsky and wild speculation about why he made this decision are pure conjecture.
SparkPlug24
Did that Real Gear robot ever get made? I have vague memories of seeing it on shelf but I spent money on a 2007 Jazz instead.
Feralstorm
Cool stuff. Nice to see how Mr. Kubalsky influenced Transformers design, through both direct involvement and influence of presence. At the time I assumed it had more to do with all the outside artistic influences from the Bay film and Animated designs. (though that is undoubtedly part of the whole influence package. I do like that there is more thought put into the transformation 'process' and the 'liveliness' of the robot mode that in the old days.
Chris Bot
I don't, I still have them all.
So he designed Classics Bee and Mirage eh? Those were two of my favorites, especially Mirage. During the Beast Era's heyday, I would often wish for them to make newer G1 figures with the pose-ability of BW, and dammit, Mirage gave me exactly what I wanted.
deathzero23
Wow I miss those 2007 Real Gears..