The world of pop culture collectibles continues to evolve, but few projects have captured the heart of toy fandom quite like the popular docu-series, “The Toys That Made Us.” As Nacelle expands its footprint in documenting and celebrating toy history, the studio is preparing to launch one of its most ambitious releases yet: a meticulously curated two‑volume hardcover set, The Art of the Toys That Made Us, arriving soon on Kickstarter.
To explore the creation of this project, its visual depth, and what fans can expect from this collector‑focused release, we spoke with Bryan Adams, Nacelle’s Director of Marketing. Adams has been instrumental in shaping how Nacelle connects with fans, and his insight offers a closer look at how this new art set brings the beloved series to life in a whole new format.
Bringing the Project to Kickstarter
GVN: Thank you for giving us a bit of your time today, Bryan. So, let’s jump right into the upcoming campaign for the two-volume “The Art of the Toys that Made us.” Nacelle is no stranger to crowdfunding and Kickstarter. So, when you decided to create these exciting new books, what made Kickstarter the right choice for launching their production, and how does the use of crowdfunding fit into Nacelle’s broader marketing strategy?
BRYAN: We’re always trying to find ways to engage fans and make them feel part of the overall Nacelle story. Kickstarter is one of those platforms that’s great at gauging the appetite for a project before it’s officially launched, and since our friends at Oni Press are experts at Kickstarter campaigns, we thought it was a no-brainer to partner with them on this.
Focusing on the Artwork
GVN: The book celebrates the visual legacy of the hit docuseries (one of my favorites). From a marketing perspective, what aspects of the show’s art and design did you feel were most important to highlight in this campaign?
BRYAN: Oftentimes we as collectors and lovers of nostalgia remember the box art and card art as much as we do the toys themselves. We like to think of our show as a celebration of these toys and the lasting memories they gave us, so naturally this book will follow that same model of nostalgia-inducing fun with lots of visuals and “scoop”, but focused primarily on the artwork behind these historic franchises. We felt it was important to keep the light-hearthed, fun but informative nature of the show, and find ways to incorporate that energy into this book.
Guiding From the Fans
GVN: Nacelle has fostered a dedicated audience of collectors and nostalgic fans (the Star Trek merchandise alone captured my interest). So, regarding “The Art of the Toys That Made Us,” how did fan behavior and community feedback influence the project’s messaging and rewards during its Kickstarter campaign?
BRYAN: Fans have been asking us for years to bring back The Toys That Made Us. We are currently working on new episodes for seasons 4 + 5 because of the consistent comments, DMs, and emails we get from fans wanting more. The campaign and the rewards built within are a way to celebrate the fandom while we await the debut of the new episodes. They also act as a visual companion for fans re-watching the first three seasons.
Learning from the Past
GVN: This project brings together behind‑the‑scenes artwork, concept designs, and production materials. How do you communicate the value of that kind of archival content to both longtime fans and newcomers?
BRYAN: We live in a time now where anything and everything can be backed up on the cloud or saved on your device in some capacity, but obviously that wasn’t always the case. Some of these archival materials are just pieces of paper, a cardboard box or other degradable material that needs to be preserved in some fashion. The fact that some of these pieces survived for close to a century is enough to celebrate them today. We can learn a lot from the past and I think the archival materials we showcase in the book are perfect examples of the power of art, creativity and a well-executed plan. Some of these sketches from guys like T. Mark Taylor are physical pieces of their life and legacy.
For Fans BY Fans
GVN: The Toys That Made Us has a distinct tone—playful, reverent, and deeply researched. How did you translate that personality into the visual and promotional identity of the two books?
BRYAN: I think the show’s tone reflects that way because we’re all fans here at Nacelle. Our toy shelves at work and home can prove it. When you can approach something as a true fan, I think that child-like enthusiasm shines through, so we’re approaching this book with the same excitement we did with episode one and beyond.
The Fan-First Perspective
GVN: Marketing a book tied to a beloved franchise means balancing nostalgia with novelty. What strategies did you use to ensure the campaign feels fresh while still honoring what fans love about the series and the iconic toys it featured?
BRYAN: We approach it from a fan perspective and if it’s not something that excites us or something we find interesting, it likely won’t make the final cut. As long as we’re continuously looking at this project from a fan-first perspective, I know we will keep the classic TTMU vibe still feeling fresh.
The Kickstarter Campaign
GVN: As the campaign approaches launch, what metrics or signals are you watching most closely to gauge early momentum, and how will those insights shape your promotional push and future projects?
BRYAN: On the social media side of things, we’re looking at fan excitement and engagement to understand the overall appetite of the campaign. For the campaign page, we’re of course focused on followers, as well as pre-launch update engagement. Once we launch we will of course be focused on conversions. We always use data to shape and re-shape our efforts, and this is just another important piece of data to analyze in pursuit of our long term goals.
GVN: Thanks again, Bryan. To wrap up, please give our followers a quick reminder about the Kickstarter campaign and what they can expect to discover when they check it out.
BRYAN: The Art of the Toys That Made Us Kickstarter is packed with artwork, stories, and behind-the-scenes details assembled from The Toys That Made Us archives. This two-volume set is roughly 250 pages each, and gives an eye-popping look at the world-class brands and awe-inspiring iconography that define The Toys That Made Us. Follow the page here for updates on launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/onipress/art-of-the-toys-that-made-us
If the enthusiasm surrounding this project is any indication, The Art of the Toys That Made Us is poised to become a must‑have centerpiece for collectors, designers, and anyone who ever fell in love with a piece of plastic that meant more than it should. And knowing Nacelle, this is only the beginning of what they’re ready to bring off the shelf and into the spotlight.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
