A toy industry veteran and “one of the rock world’s top poster artists,” per Rolling Stone, is gone.
Frank Kozik, Kidrobot’s Chief Creative Officer and creator of the iconic Labbit, died unexpectedly May 6 at 61 years old. As one of the industry’s well-known artists, Kozik had been leading Kidrobot’s strategic creative vision and product development since 2018.
Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Kozik moved to Sacramento, California, when he was 15 before joining the Air Force at 18. After an honorable discharge, Kozik worked as a doorman at an Austin, Texas, nightclub and first gained attention as a self-trained underground artist in the early 1980s.
Kozik’s flyers and posters for local punk bands grew a following, which led him to move to San Francisco, California, in 1993, where he started a print shop and founded Man’s Ruin Records. Releasing over 200 singles and full-length albums for punk and alternative bands including the Sex Pistols and the first Queens of the Stone Age, Kozik also designed rock posters which is where he first introduced the Smorkin’ Labbit in 1996.
In 2001, Kozik closed Man’s Ruin to devote himself full-time to fine art, design, and the emerging art toy movement. Labbit, a smoking, unshaven rabbit character, was adopted by Kidrobot in 2003, starting a longtime collaboration between the brand and Kozik. Kozik designed more than 500 different limited edition figures but more importantly, he pioneered an art toy movement and provided a launchpad for hundreds of artists through Kidrobot and across the world.
Kozik designed products and advertising campaigns for a cross-section of the top lifestyle brands including a pair of NikeSB Dunk Quickstrike sneakers, a special edition Swatch watch, the 2007 Spike TV Games Award trophy, and an “Absolut Kozik” print ad.
Kozik also worked with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Butthole Surfers, and Helmet. He directed the music video for Soundgarden’s “Pretty Noose,” and published several books including Man’s Ruin: Posters and Art by Frank Kozik and Desperate Measures Empty Pleasures.
“Words escape how we felt about Frank,” says Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum, which owns Kidrobot. “Living the American immigrant’s dream, I will always remember Frank’s childlike wonder and enthusiasm when it came to creation. Frank saw art wherever he went and was always trying to add another layer to everything. He will be greatly missed, and I hope he realized how much he was loved and adored by those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Until next we meet my friend.”
Kozik is survived by his wife, Sharon. The Toy Book team extends its condolences to the Kozik family and will update this post with information regarding services should they become available.
