SLoth Bear Enamel Pin

Even in my childhood, I loved going to theme parks and collecting enamel pins. So when the boom happened where all designers it seemed like tried their hand at making pins, it occurred to me that I could find a vendor and make my own pins as well.

Process Stage

I knew I wanted these pins to be very graphic in design, almost like an icon more so. So, I set out the following parameters for myself:

• Very limited palette

• Using metallics as a fill color

• Keep the design simple, yet recognizable

After a few sketches, I ended up with a design I was very happy with! Then, it would take me a few years to pull together funds to produce them and also settle on a design I would be proud of.

The image shown to the side shows the first “final” iteration from 2018 that I had initially settled on. In seeing the how much better the final product came out to be, it’s hard to imagine this sketch being considered “final” at any point in time.

Final Design

The pins turned out better than I could have hoped: warm, cute, and icon like.

I haven’t been able to proceed in the selling process, because I really want to raise money for charity using these pins to support the animals I love so much.

The ultimate goal of this was to begin to build on a project is to make one of each bear species and then sell them as fund raising items so I can make a larger donation to various bear conservation groups and also create a product I love dearly.

So while the project is not in the final stages I want it to be, I’m so happy and excited I’ve gotten the design elements completed and am ready to move on to the next!