Alex Kubalsky

Alex and "AMBU", his original transforming design.

Alex Kubalsky is a designer at Takaratomy. As an Australian, he is the only foreign toy designer working in Japan.

Toys designed by Alex

Classics

• Bumblebee (with Eric Siebenaler)

• Mirage (with Eric Siebenaler)
• Optimus Prime (smoke-stack gun only)

Transformers (2007)

• Deluxe '70s Camaro Bumblebee (based on Dreamworks design, with Eric Siebenaler)
• Booster X10
• Deluxe Camaro Concept Bumblebee (based on Dreamworks design, with Eric Siebenaler)
• High Score 100
• Longarm (based on movie prop, with Jared Wade and Eric Siebenaler)

• Longview
• Stockade (based on movie prop, with Jared Wade)
• Swindle (based on Activision design)
• Wreckage (inspired by Dreamworks design, head by Aaron Archer)

Universe

• Chevy Swerve

Animated

• Blackarachnia (based on Derrick Wyatt design, with Eric Siebenaler)
• Blitzwing (based on Derrick Wyatt design, with Eric Siebenaler)
• Deluxe Bumblebee (based on Derrick Wyatt design, with Eric Siebenaler)
• Deluxe Prowl (based on Derrick Wyatt design, with Eric Siebenaler)

• Sentinel Prime (based on Derrick Wyatt design, with Eric Siebenaler)

Universe (2008)

• Hound with Ravage (with Bill Rawley)

Trivia

• Although Kubalsky based movie Wreckage roughly on the transforming "Stryker" design dropped from the film, his head came from Aaron Archer; as Archer told the story at BotCon 2008, he in fact did Wreckage's head sketch in the airport five minutes before his plane had to take off from Japan (as he was visiting Takara's offices at the time).

• When designing movie Longarm, reference from Activision had not arrived, forcing Kubalsky to make up his own transformation scheme and robot design (which intentionally borrowed some elements from Generation 1 Hoist). By the time reference arrived, it was too late in the process to make any major changes, but Kubalsky was able to graft elements from the game model's chest and arms onto the newly-created design (which he felt worked out rather well).

• High Score 100/Twitcher F451's robot mode design was intentionally modeled on a gorilla.

• When creating Stockade, he imagined the character as being the "big brother" to the High Score/Twitcher mold, hence the roughly similar proportions and head design between the two.

• He designed Universe Swerve's robot mode and transformation entirely under a four-week deadline.

• Alex's favorite Transformers character and the first one he ever owned is Hound. When designing Hound's new Universe toy, he wanted to make sure the toy was "done right" while still "being true to G1", and even handled the deco guide for the Henkei release.

External links

• Alexander Kubalsky - Toy Designer, Film Maker, Illustrator

• An interview with Alex Kubalsky at pingmag.jp