ABC's of Theming: Q is for Quirky Characters

Why Characters Matter in Themed Design

Characters aren’t just decoration—they’re storytellers. Whether they’re splashed across a mural or brought to life in a 3D sculpture, characters give visitors someone to connect with. They can represent a theme, explain a concept, or guide kids through a space. And most importantly, they help turn an environment into an experience.

For young kids especially, characters can create emotional engagement that sticks. They’re not just seeing a jungle—they’re meeting the jungle’s explorer. They’re not just learning about dental hygiene—they’re helping the Tooth Fairy escape from pirates (true story!).

Every Cast Starts With a Story

Before the first sketch is drawn, there’s a conversation about the story. Is this an undersea adventure? A trip back to the old West? A journey to outer space? Once the narrative is clear, the character design follows—custom-tailored to match the world around it.

The goal? Characters that feel like they belong in the space. That might mean a goofy robot with a tool belt in a STEM-themed room or a wisecracking fox who teaches forest safety. From personality traits to color palettes, every detail helps reinforce the setting and support the message.

Built-In or Built From Scratch

Wacky World Studios has already created a pretty large collection of ready-made characters available to choose from—hundreds of animals, people, and more—but for projects that need something extra special, custom characters are an option too. These are designed from the ground up to reflect the client’s story, mission, or brand.

A great example? Kids Rock Pediatric Dentistry. Their space features an original cast of pirate sea creatures whose teeth go from grimy to gleaming as the story unfolds. Each mural shows a new chapter, helping teach proper brushing and flossing in a way that actually feels fun.

Where Characters Show Up

Characters aren’t just limited to one spot—they can show up all throughout a space, helping tie everything together from wall to wall (and sometimes floor to ceiling). Here are a few of the most common places they make an appearance:

• Murals – Think full-scene storylines or character moments sprinkled throughout the space.

• 3D Sculptures and 2D cutouts – Life-size figures that welcome, wave, or just hang out and pose for selfies.

• Interactive Features – Characters that help explain how to play, where to go, or what to do next.

• Printed Materials & Signage – Sometimes they carry over into coloring pages, room names, or even rule boards.
  
  
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  The Real Role of Quirky Characters

  At Wacky World Studios, the characters that are created are way more than just funny faces. They help promote continuity, spark imagination, and reinforce the theme in a way words and paint alone can’t. Plus, they tend to show up in the stories kids tell their parents later—and that kind of word-of-mouth can go a long way.

If you can dream it, we can theme it!