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The man behind the Internet's most-loved dog
By Lu Xiaofeng and Fei Lai |
February 23, 2009, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ANYONE who logs onto the Internet regularly will be well acquainted with Daodao Dog. The philosophical virtual dog touches a lot of people with his simplicity.
But Daodao is not that simple. After being created on the Internet in 2002, Daodao Dog has turned into books, dolls, money-boxes, stationery and notebooks. From being unknown, he has become a favorite for 500,000 fans over seven years.
Even Gan Feng, Daodao Dog's creator, is surprised.
A Jiading native, Gan believes the district's rich culture and history have provided him with the right nutrition to grow.
"I liked doodling in my first year at elementary school. Then my parents found an art teacher for me," Gan recalled. "A teacher surnamed Wang taught me traditional Chinese painting and left me a deep impression. When I stepped into his study for the first time, I was greatly stunned by the brushes and paintings that filled his room."
At that moment, Gan felt that art was knocking on the door to his soul. He shuttled among the Confucius Temple, the children's palace and the teacher's study, absorbing the district's culture.
"All I learned in my childhood was valuable and now it is still applied in my work," he said. "I still go back to the hometown every other week, not only to see my family who live there, but also for the tranquil surroundings that make it easier for me to meditate."
After graduating with a major in art in 1991, Gan threw himself into the animation industry. Working from the most basic level up to director of animation, he worked in the industry for 17 years.
Although the pay was high, the pressure at work often exhausted him. Often he felt he needed a vent for his emotions.
One day, Gan stood and looked out of the window. He saw gray buildings which shaped the winds, and a piece of paper fly up and down. At that moment, he noted what was in his mind: "Everyone is thrown into this world."
He drew a small character below the words. It was a vague cartoon figure with a big head, enchanting eyes and a small body - the original which he later developed into Daodao Dog.
"All I wanted was to find something that was capable of putting everyday feelings into words. And then Daodao appeared," Gan said.
To him, Daodao is a pet dog being uplifting despite the heavy-handedness and pace of city life.
"I express my feelings on whatever I come across in life or whatever I see through Daodao. Even the simplest words can express great happiness and sorrow," he said. "It is probably the direct way of expression that attracts the 1970s and 1980s fans. To them, Daodao is more like a friend."
Those looking closely at the dog might think that it mostly seems sad. When asked about this, Gan thought for a while and said the sorrow originated from his mother's death.
"My greatest regret was that my mother was unable to see the success of Daodao Dog. She knew nothing about it. Before Daodao's book was published, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away two months later," Gan said.
"I was unsure whether to tell her or not when she was in the hospital. Thinking that she might be sadder knowing that she would not be able to see the books published, I decided to let her pass without regrets. I am her true work."
The popularity of Daodao Dog has set new goals for Gan in business. Currently, he is endeavoring to turn the dog into a domestic star like Hello Kitty and Doraemon, both famous cartoon characters in Japan.
Today there are more than 40 products carrying the Daodao Dog image as well as decorative articles and toys. Attracting fans from the ages of 18 to 35, the dog has become a miracle in the derivatives industry for cartoon images - investors recovered all their money within six months.
"Creating works with cultural depth can't be achieved overnight. It takes a long time to create something and make it popular," Gan said. "Fortunately, my hobby earns me a living and I can work on the dog's stories undisturbed. I'm trying to write some new stories and it is possible that one day Daodao Dog will appear on television."
But Daodao is not that simple. After being created on the Internet in 2002, Daodao Dog has turned into books, dolls, money-boxes, stationery and notebooks. From being unknown, he has become a favorite for 500,000 fans over seven years.
Even Gan Feng, Daodao Dog's creator, is surprised.
A Jiading native, Gan believes the district's rich culture and history have provided him with the right nutrition to grow.
"I liked doodling in my first year at elementary school. Then my parents found an art teacher for me," Gan recalled. "A teacher surnamed Wang taught me traditional Chinese painting and left me a deep impression. When I stepped into his study for the first time, I was greatly stunned by the brushes and paintings that filled his room."
At that moment, Gan felt that art was knocking on the door to his soul. He shuttled among the Confucius Temple, the children's palace and the teacher's study, absorbing the district's culture.
"All I learned in my childhood was valuable and now it is still applied in my work," he said. "I still go back to the hometown every other week, not only to see my family who live there, but also for the tranquil surroundings that make it easier for me to meditate."
After graduating with a major in art in 1991, Gan threw himself into the animation industry. Working from the most basic level up to director of animation, he worked in the industry for 17 years.
Although the pay was high, the pressure at work often exhausted him. Often he felt he needed a vent for his emotions.
One day, Gan stood and looked out of the window. He saw gray buildings which shaped the winds, and a piece of paper fly up and down. At that moment, he noted what was in his mind: "Everyone is thrown into this world."
He drew a small character below the words. It was a vague cartoon figure with a big head, enchanting eyes and a small body - the original which he later developed into Daodao Dog.
"All I wanted was to find something that was capable of putting everyday feelings into words. And then Daodao appeared," Gan said.
To him, Daodao is a pet dog being uplifting despite the heavy-handedness and pace of city life.
"I express my feelings on whatever I come across in life or whatever I see through Daodao. Even the simplest words can express great happiness and sorrow," he said. "It is probably the direct way of expression that attracts the 1970s and 1980s fans. To them, Daodao is more like a friend."
Those looking closely at the dog might think that it mostly seems sad. When asked about this, Gan thought for a while and said the sorrow originated from his mother's death.
"My greatest regret was that my mother was unable to see the success of Daodao Dog. She knew nothing about it. Before Daodao's book was published, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away two months later," Gan said.
"I was unsure whether to tell her or not when she was in the hospital. Thinking that she might be sadder knowing that she would not be able to see the books published, I decided to let her pass without regrets. I am her true work."
The popularity of Daodao Dog has set new goals for Gan in business. Currently, he is endeavoring to turn the dog into a domestic star like Hello Kitty and Doraemon, both famous cartoon characters in Japan.
Today there are more than 40 products carrying the Daodao Dog image as well as decorative articles and toys. Attracting fans from the ages of 18 to 35, the dog has become a miracle in the derivatives industry for cartoon images - investors recovered all their money within six months.
"Creating works with cultural depth can't be achieved overnight. It takes a long time to create something and make it popular," Gan said. "Fortunately, my hobby earns me a living and I can work on the dog's stories undisturbed. I'm trying to write some new stories and it is possible that one day Daodao Dog will appear on television."
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