Custom Puppets
Custom Puppet Creation Process
Every Giant Puppets Save the World creation begins with listening.
When we design a custom puppet for a client, organization, or community, we start with a collaborative planning process to fully understand your vision, goals, and intended use for the piece.
Step 1: Vision, Goals & Scope
We begin with a discovery conversation to establish:
Your goals for the puppet (performance, installation, parade, education, branding, etc.)
The story, symbolism, or message it should communicate
Where and how it will be used (festivals, schools, campaigns, films, touring, etc.)
Timeline, budget, scale, and technical considerations
We then propose a clear creative direction, size, materials, and production approach that aligns with your needs.
Step 2: Design, Planning & Agreement
Once the direction is set, we:
Finalize the design concept and construction plan
Establish timeline, milestones, and delivery expectations
Create a professional contract that outlines:
Scope of work
Payment schedule
Usage rights and intellectual property
Royalties or licensing terms in the event the puppet is used in film, commercial media, or large-scale distribution
This protects both you and the artists, and ensures clarity for future use of the work.
Step 3: Fabrication & Build
Your puppet is then hand-built by our team using:
Sustainable and recycled materials whenever possible
Proven structural and performance-tested construction methods
Lightweight, durable designs optimized for performance, touring, and installation
Clients are welcome to be involved in the process at agreed-upon stages, depending on the project.
Step 4: Training & Implementation
When the puppet is complete, we provide:
Performance and handling training (if the puppet is meant to be operated)
Care, transport, and storage guidance
Optional performance choreography or staging consultation
Our goal is to ensure your team feels confident, capable, and inspired using the piece.
What’s Included
This full process — concept development, design, fabrication, contract, and training — is included in every custom puppet commission.
Community & Workshop-Built Puppets (Co-Creation Model)
In addition to fully custom studio-built puppets, we also offer workshop-based, community co-creation projects.
This model is ideal for:
Schools and universities
Festivals and community organizations
Corporate team-building
Public art and placemaking projects
How It Works
We design the puppet structure and overall plan
We lead a hands-on workshop where participants:
Learn puppet-building techniques
Help construct the piece together
Gain skills in sculpture, structure, and large-scale art-making
The outcome is always unique, collaborative, and beautiful — and the process itself becomes part of the art.
Participants pay to take part in the workshop. These fees cover:
Teaching and facilitation
Design and structural engineering
Materials
The creation of the puppet itself
There is a minimum participation requirement for workshops. Please inquire for details and pricing.
Budget & Accessibility
Our mission is to share this work as widely as possible.
We regularly work with:
Nonprofits
Schools
Grassroots organizations
Cities and community groups
Small festivals and large institutions alike
If your budget is limited, we are happy to explore:
Scaled-down designs
Workshop-based builds
Phased projects
Creative partnerships
We believe powerful art should be accessible — and we will do our best to find a way to work together.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re commissioning a signature showpiece or dreaming up a community-built puppet project, we’d love to hear your ideas and help bring them to life.
Puppet Partners
