Design Process: Kitty

Have you ever seen a lighter that's so cool, it's purr-fect? Well, that's what I was aiming for with Kitty! The lighter was released on May 24, 2021, and to date it is our best selling lighter.

Picture this: I'm sitting at my computer, sipping on a cup of coffee, pondering how to create a lighter that captures the essence of the retro feline artworks I've been admiring. One of the artists that captures my attention is Josh Agle, also known as SHAG. He did a cat design on a Red Matte Zippo lighter in 1999 that was a huge inspiration. I was motivated to create a similarly strong design in my style.

Now, you might be wondering why Kitty Zippo doesn't have any limbs. Well, it turns out that this decision was in line with the simple form factor of Mid Century Modern cat sculptures. You know, those ceramic cats that grace the shelves of every hipster's living room? Yeah, those ones! I wanted Kitty to be outside, sitting on the top of a fence, but without actually making a fence. The crescent moon is a nod to my vision of Kitty enjoying the night sky.

When it came to the background for Kitty, I knew that I wanted to incorporate MCM shapes to give it some texture. The background is a delightful mishmash of colors and shapes, reminiscent of comic book art. But here's the fun part - the color is intentionally "sloppy" and partially outside of the black lines. Why, you ask? Well, it adds a touch of whimsy and playfulness to Kitty Zippo. It's like the artist once said, "Hey, let's color outside the lines and see what happens!" And the result? A lighter that's bursting with personality!

So, if you're a fan of all things MCM, our Kitty Zippo lighter is the one for you! Trust me, once you get your paws on one, you'll never want to let it go!