After having done a few different designs for the puppets in Cbeebies Feeling Better. The first thing to do was to try adapting these designs into a 3D form. Here were two different, simple, full sized sculpts. The final puppets looked quite different from these, but these were a starting point and an experiment in looking at creature-esque aesthetics. These were moulded by the lovely millennium fx, and with some foam rubber casts I was able to use these as prototypes for fur and colour tests at this early development stage.

I was the puppet designer and  maker for a major new Cbeebies TV series Feeling Better. The show, presented by Dr Radha, features two puppet creatures. They explore the complex world of emotions. Series 1 started airing March 19th 2017, and is featured on BBC 1, the Cbeebies channel, youtube and cbeebies radio.

We had a long and explorative design process. I experimented with sketches, digital drawing and fully sculpted prototypes. To try and find the right characters and the right aesthetic for the show. The BBC wanted something new and different, but something that remained within the Cbeebies world. After the initial cartoony sketches, I explored a more creature-esque approach both in sculpts, fur sampling and drawings. We all agreed this wasn’t right.  As we moved forward  we focused on the cartoony/puppety look and not the creature aesthetic.

I am a professional puppet maker and creature creator. I design, illustrate, sculpt and fabricate. I also have a performance background as both an actor and puppeteer, so when I develop characters and build puppets I always approach the project from the point of view of the performer. I strive to build characters that are engaging and believable, whilst making them a joy to perform, allowing the puppeteer to get the maximum and most versatile performance out of them. I have worked in puppets and creature FX for a number of years; spanning TV, Film, theatre and online mediums. Please do take a look through my galleries: puppets, Illustration, sculpture, Design or you can look over my experience to see some of the clients and projects I have worked on over the years. if your interested in any of my work please don’t hesitate to contact me.