Designer Con 2022

The Talent Is Out Of Its World

Brooke here with your CFG Designer Con recap. Dcon (as it’s known by many) is an annual art and design convention in Anaheim, CA that smashes together collectible toys, customs, plush, designer apparel and so much more with urban, underground, and pop art. It takes the one aspect of cons that I love, the vendor halls, and expands it to a new level! If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind art, toys, patches/pins, apparel, and a community full of geeks-loving collectors, then Dcon is the place for you!

I’ve been going since 2017, when it was hosted in Pasadena, but in 2018, Dcon moved to the Anaheim Convention Center as it became more popular with crowds exceeding 50,000 visitors. Every year, fans can meet toy designers and artists worldwide or collect one-of-a-kind toys or art exclusives offered only at the convention. The convention also expanded its show floor to allow a car art vinyl showcase and other pop culture cars like the Ghostbuster Ecto-1 and the Pizza Planet Delivery truck. Plus, Dcon pays homage to hip-hop culture and this year, DJ Q Bert scratched and spun for guests while Kinjaz freestyled to promote their Kinjaz x Be@rBrick collaboration. 

The best part of Dcon is the amount of pop culture art and items available from various vendors around the world! From Star Wars, Godzilla, Bob’s Burgers, My Hero Academia, to Hello Kitty, Dcon has something for everyone.  I walked away with unique art, pins, patches, and stickers from my favorite artist and vendors like Tokidoki, PinkOwlet, Punch It Chewie Press, and Bb-Cre.8! Not to mention seeing artists and toy designers like Jason Freeny, Tara McPherson, Valfré, Sket One, and Blake Jones. One of my favorite pieces was an exclusive Sunken Treasure Dumpster Fire from 100%soft (known for their cute dumpster fire collectibles) signed by artist Truck Tolerance. 

Dcon also hosts panels from animated artists and storytellers, including art from upcoming animated movies such as K-pop Demon Hunters. This year Kristine Belson, Sony Animation President, discussed the 20 years of Sony animation studios and their upcoming projects. In addition to the panels, con-goers can see live exhibitions of several artists like Kano who debuted his exclusive Be@rbrick figure at the Medicom Toy Booth with other collaborators like Greg mike and Shepard’s Fairey.

Tickets are usually $20 daily, making them even more appealing. Of course, it’s a great place to do some holiday shopping. You got to check out Dcon, or let me know if you want to go with me next year!

 

@the_cfg #Kidrobot#tokidoki #toycollector #toycollecting #karafuru #mondo #designercon #toys #conventions #dcon #goodsmilecompany #popculture #sneakerheads #lego #hiphop ♬ Lo-fi hip hop – Red Cat Blue