Where did the idea for Scrappiebot come from?

When I taught art to middle school students, I knew that many of them enjoyed graphic novels. In 2018, I decided to create a character to help me explain the design process. I created a few paneled pages as well that I copied and had them place into their sketchbooks. I called him "Scrappiebot." 

In early summer 2023, a close friend sent me a flyer for a call to art called 'Nautical Nonsense" and encouraged me to do it. I thought, "A robot interacting with sea creatures is pretty nonsensical!" I started sketching but was having difficulty with character consistency. I decided to make a "quick model" that I could pose and use as a reference. I had some balsa wood and lots of garage hardware and let my brain explore and tinker. Since he was a model, I didn't overly concern myself with my original sketches and works from 2018. I focused instead on how to structure joints and create articulation that wasn't too difficult to move but could hold a position for reference purposes.

Scrappiebot as he is today has evolved from his original mechanics and purpose. He is still very much a model and a sure testament to the design process. He also has taken on a life of his very own in stop motion animations and photographs.