Lazerian is Liam Hopkins' design workshop, founded in 2006, based in a former hat factory in Manchester, England. Gerald is Lazerian's mascot, part of a 2008 rebranding inspired by a Bracco Italiano, a hunting dog known for its devotion to its master, and meant to evoke the qualities of loyalty, heritage, and affection that Lazerian instills in its projects. The new image inspired Hopkins and 3D designer Richard Sweeney create "a blueprint for a free standing paper dog that anyone could make at home with a sharp knife, glue and a healthy degree of patience."
In 2009, the pattern was perfected and launched at the 100% Design event in London. The flat pack Geralds completely sold out. Hopkins and Sweeney then created customized Geralds, Dazzle and Pixel, that were also sensations. In 2011, Hopkins sent Gerald patterns to 100 of his favorite artists, designers, and illustrators around the world and the Gerald Project was born.
Now, each Gerald is a limited edition of 500 available for purchase for £20 ($30). There will be an exhibition, Gerald & James (of the British paper company James Cropper that produces the Geralds) and a book launch party at 60 READE in New York City, May 17, 2013 to May 19, 2013. Visit Gerald's website or like him on Facebook for more information.
Hat tip to Rosanne Burke for letting me know about Gerald via Laughing Squid.
