Characters for your dolls VS. dolls for your characters

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
I create a character for the doll. It's not only fun but I can get cues from the sculpt and see where the customization take me, I feel more free to create. And that way I can always add new characters to the universe when I like a new BJDs.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
There's no right way, just the way that work for each person.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
When I started I got my 2 first bjds to be the characters from a story, but after some years I realized I worked better with creating a character for the doll and revamped them.

Any other thoughts on the matter?
Is normal for me to make this process drawing as well, making a character design first and developing a character based on it and after getting a story idea. So I think it just work for me, if I draw existing characters they usually get revamped to incorporate what come into design.
While on bjds I have ideas, not characters, I want to explore. Like I want to make a incubus and vampire character, but have no personality/traits/backstory related to them.

 

Right now I'm definitely a "dolls for my characters" person. Big investments are still scary for me, so if I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with a doll I can't justify the purchase to myself...

I'm looking forward to becoming a "characters for my dolls" person, though! I'd love to find a sculpt that spoke to me well enough that I was able to bring it to life. One day....!!!

 

I think I had wanted to go into this hobby as a "dolls for my characters" kind of person. But I fell in love with the sculpts I would eventually get... but without much in mind in regards to character. So I'm a "character for my dolls" person. I really need to sit down and think and write and get creative.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
I'm very much a "dolls for characters" person. All my dolls are avatars for my original characters.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
No. I think it just depends on each collector's preferences. People should be able to enjoy the hobby howeverthey want to. For me, "dolls for characters" is the only thing that works. For someone else, it may be different.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
My first doll was an Elfdoll K, and he was a characterless doll. No matter how I tried, I could not create a character for him, and I couldn't even get a name to stick. I eventually sold him. Since that first one, I've picked sculpts to represent pre-existing characters and that's worked out much better for me.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
Definitely a dolls for characters type. Mostly it keeps me from making impulse buys every time I see a cool sculpt.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
Not at all. Whichever step comes first, or even if someone has no characters and just likes having pretty sculptures around, there's no wrong way to approach it.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
My first doll still doesn't really have a character. I bought her because she was a sculpt I'd admired for a long time, and I happened to have spare cash during her once-a-year preorder period, so I jumped. I love to look at her, but I hope by shelling characters instead, I'll actually do more with my other dolls, since my Delta just sits on my desk and looks pretty.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
Mostly Characters for Dolls, but I have one Doll for Character project I am dying to try out. Well, if you include another that has been momentarily shelved in favour of the other, that would be two Doll for Character projects.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
To each their own; there is no right way, or wrong way, to go about creating characters for dolls or dolls for characters. If the character fits the sculpt, or the sculpt the character, go for it! It's your doll in the end, and more than likely your character.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
I only have one doll at the moment, currently awaiting the second, and both will have characters designed for the dolls. However, upon seeing a Dollshe Saint that looked so close to a non-BJD character of mine a few days ago, I've been dying (as I've already stated) to try it out. I also would love the opportunity to make a Dante from Devil May Cry fan-art doll out of an IOS Anarmonia or Blue - I've not decided on which exact sculpt would work best. Anarmonia was the first that made me want to attempt it, but he would likely need a 80cm body; Blue gives me some Dante vibes, and would fit a 70cm body, but I don't know if he's good enough. Then, there's Anima with the DMC4 vibe, and Bel Canto with more of a DMC5 vibe (but he might just work with a white wig...). Curse my desire for utter perfection!

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
A tiny bit of both, but mostly a dolls for characters!

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
I think it's whichever way works for the collector. Personally I have to really find a link in a doll to my current ones, they absolutely have to fit with the generations/families/characters in general. However, I can see the fun in getting a blank slate of a doll and being able to build it up over time, rather than my own method of knowing more or less exactly what the doll should have before purchase.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
Kinda.... because I have so many OCs that I could shell already... But when I saw new sculpts I liked, my brain started applying new OCs to them to fit in with existing ones. I got my DOD Petsha because I wanted the 'sister' sculpt to Elf Ducan, and she turned into my OC Neive, who's the actual sister of my Elf Ducan's OC XD It's like she has been there all along, I'm always adapting my characters and their networks, so this method works for me as it's adaptable like they are.

Any other thoughts on the matter?
I think it shows a lot of creativity! Those who can come up with a dolls character AFTER getting the doll have a completely different creative method to the one I seem to have, and it's really nice to see ^^ I like how much personalization this hobby allows for

 

So, I don't yet have a doll but I am an avid writer so I thought I may give my two cents if that's alright.

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
Since I don't yet own a BJD I have thought quite a bit about if I should try and buy a doll for one of my characters or if I should discover the character within the doll. I have to say that I'm leaning toward the "Character for Dolls" option.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
No, I don't think one is necessarily better than the other. If it fits and it makes you happy then go for it.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
In my writing I've always created a character first and then built a story around it. I don't think that will change anytime soon. So when I own my own BJD I think that I will look at him or her and find their story within them.

Any other thoughts on the matter?
Not really... like I said, if it makes you happy and if it is a method that words then that's all that matters.

~_~ I'm sorry if I'm out of place for answering the questions. I did find them interesting so I wanted to interact lol...

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
Characters for dolls for me. In my case, she's my adopted daughter.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
I don't think there's a definite answer to this. It's really all about personal preference and it's really alright if someone wants both! This is also why the hobby is so appealing to so many people across the world, transcending races, language, religion etc.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
Not yet.

Any other thoughts on the matter?
The addiction is probably gonna make me hard to justify so many adopted daughters to my wife. We have 2 sons in real life. I wanted us to have daughters, but she's not accepting dolls as daughters.

 

I'd have to say I'm probably a mix of both. I love finding beautiful dolls that I just love the look of and coming up with a personality and story to match them, but I've also been making my own characters for years that I would love to give physical form in a doll but haven't yet.

I switch between the two depending on the doll that has caught my eye. I try to see if the sculpt is one that fits the idea of one of my characters and if not i make a character for the doll.
None of my characters are really being written in a story anymore, as most were made for roleplays I would do with my friends in middle and high school or just character designs that were fun to design and draw, so its nice to try to revive some of them in dolls.

 

I have been writing in small RPG groups or websoaps for years and there are a few characters I would love to have dolls of. But all the dolls I have now have the character was created for the doll. So it started this whole world-building and backstory-creating place that I am really enjoying because I have pretty much written the same characters since 2002-ish, so it is nice to have something new.

 

I’m a dolls for dolls person. I don’t really have characters of any sort. They’re just beautiful/cute dolls to me.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
Characters for dolls. The characters I write really wouldn't work as BJDs; those funky furry art dolls, maybe, for some, but I'd be hard-pressed to find dolls for them! (Though I have been tempted to get a mature mini for a favorite character of mine, but that's not my original character. And it'd be a humanized form anyways.)

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
Nah, just do what makes you happy.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
I'm just sticking with the one. See impossibility to find dolls like my characters.

Any other thoughts on the matter?
Dolls are very fun either way.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
Well, I start off as a doll for characters. By this I mean I know a general idea of who is needed next for the story to continue on, but I don't know much in the line of details. Once the doll arrives, they can tell me all the details they want.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
Nope. BJDs are meant to be enjoyed, and people can enjoy them at either end of the spectrum. If they have a grand time scouring for the perfect doll and accessories to shell one of their OCs, I'm happy for them. If they only impulse purchase pretty ones who never have a character and only sit on a shelf, I'm happy they like their decorative qualities.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
It's always been similar to this, aside from my first doll which I saw and then the world formed around him before he ever got home. The world and characters have changed over the years, especially since I was away from the hobby for a long time.

Any other thoughts on the matter?
Not really, but it is always fascinating to see people's reasoning for why they land on whichever end of the spectrum for this.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
I'm more a characters for my dolls sort of person. This might partly be because most of my pre-existing OCs are in a Renaissance fantasy setting, and my BJDs characters are in a modern urban fantasy setting. I tend to buy dolls based more on a "Ooh, pretty and inspiring!" reaction than matching a pre-existing idea.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
This way works better for me, but if finding a doll to fit a character works better for someone, then that's great too.

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
Some of my earlier dolls were chosen to fit favorite anime characters, whose doll avatars caused my interpretations of them to change and evolve. It was more frustrating than fun to try to find dolls to match characters that would work together. The two I have based on characters from the same series and initially meant to be a romantic couple look terrible together. And their are dolls I love who don't remotely resemble any of my existing characters, but would fit well enough with my other dolls that I come up with characters and connections for them.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
Both really. I mostly buy to represent characters (my characters have a lot more to them even if I can't always represent or show it) if I can but each has a secret name unrevealed especially for those I don't have characters for. Sometimes a doll won't work for one character and will be another. Other times I find myself redressing constantly to see what and who they want to be, I don't let anyone tell me what I should or shouldn't do. It's not really their business. I love to create as I go along so I don't mind waiting for character ideas if something doesn't work out. I try everything until I can't.


Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
Not especially, no. I like that you can spend hours searching and suddenly the perfect sculpt pops up as an already made character as it sends sparks through you.
Sparks still fly if you do it the opposite way though too. You can oops into a random character you didn't know you could make and now you can do whatever you want to your doll and be happy with it without needing approvals.
Either way you still enjoy what you have.


Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
I don't think I've only done one. From the beginning I've wanted to do it for characters but I love dolls in general. From the moment I was told "No don't do that", I decided I'd do both and didn't care. No real need to share much about them no matter what route I take. I've tried sticking to characters already made but I'll eye that one sculpt I need who doesn't suit anyone. Though it mostly started with a character in mind a doll was perfect for, I've oopsed onto sculpts I want for their beauty with no real direction. I decided that I'd switch it up and do both because I enjoy both.

Any other thoughts on the matter?
Don't let ANYONE tell you what you should or shouldn't do with your dolls. Allow suggestions but if something pops at you, try it. Don't let anyone judge what you decide upon and just have fun. Try both options and see how you like them. Really look into sculpts and see if they might suit what you may or may not have in mind. Creating those already made characters is awesome, but sometimes a sculpt might jump at you and make you realize you can create something different and give you a bunch more ideas.

 

Which type are you? a Characters for dolls, or a dolls for characters?
I'm a dolls for characters type since I'm not very artistic I like to have some visual frame for my many (many) OCs. If I buy a doll simply for their look I do tend to give them a character or align them with someone I've written about. Otherwise I feel less attached to the doll.

Do you think one way is better or more suited for the hobby?
Not at all, I actually like that this hobby encourages customising and changing things up!

Have you always done one, or did something make you switch along the way? Why switch?
I've not stopped! I do try to have strong aesthetics for my dolls but that's about it in terms of "character vs doll/visual"

 

Dolls for characters for me.

My first 2 dolls were bought to be my 2 main boys in a story that had been bugging me to be written since I was at school. Then I saw Doll Family A's Max and my brain just went: 'Hayden' even though I'd already bought a doll to shell Hayden. So I bought Max for Hayden then I had an extra. A beautiful extra.

I'm going to try him with Caleb's identity but I'm not sure if he'll be a good fit. Maybe he'll just be himself. I'm super interested to see what story he wants to tell me. Huh, I guess that means I'm in the process of switching a little XD

 

I actually have both dolls based on characters and a charger built around and for the doll!
I've kinda always done both. It really depends on the doll and how the muses strike me.

 

Well so far all 4 of my dolls have arrived and every idea I had for them went out the window and the character reveals itself to me. Sometimes there is a hint of my idea in there somewhere