Fin & Whisker
Project Overview
Fin & Whisker is a character-driven blind box collectible project centered around a world where cats take on the roles of a full kitchen staff. The series currently features a lineup of employees, such as the head chef, bartender, server, dishwasher, and a laid-back boss. All the cats represent a different position within the restaurant, each designed with a distinctly different personality and role.
This project explores product design, with each blind box acting as a surprise reveal that adds to the excitement of collecting. The experience is enhanced with additional elements like character cards, which reveals which cat is inside the box and encourages the consumer to complete the set. In addition to the box and cards, the project includes logo development, character prints, and stickers.
The Logo
The Fin & Whisker logo was designed to reflect the restaurant theme while maintaining a playful, memorable identity. The font, Fairwater Script Bold, was modified with a paw to add to the cat theme, while including a custom ampersand shaped like a hook and fish to subtly reference seafood and reinforce the brand’s concept.
The Box
The box is designed with illustrations, including drawings of the cats and patterned backgrounds inspired by fish themes. The panels on the box include artworks of the cats, a list containing the possibilities one can get from the box, and the product information on the back. The box features a handle, inspired by restaurant takeout containers.
The Character Cards
Each blind box includes a character card that introduces the cat inside, featuring its name and role in the restaurant.
The Designs
These sketches were created for each plush keychain to guide manufacturing, including front and back views, to ensure each character could be accurately translated from illustration into a product.
The Plush Keychains
Plush keychain toys professionally manufactured.
Additional Merchandise
A series of sticker designs was created to extend the characters into a fun, collectible format, capturing each cat’s personality.
Interested in this Project?
Join the Fin & Whisker email list to show your interest! Since this release is currently limited to samples for display, subscribers will be the first to know if enough support leads to full production, with updates on availability, launch timing, and how to get your own blind box.