KUALA LUMPUR – Usually, the fascinating world of comics in Malaysia is influenced by foreign characters, but a trio of friends had taken a bold step into showcasing their original artwork at Comic Fiesta 2023 by opening a booth and generating RM10,000 in just two days.
Speaking to Scoop, the trio shared their initial experience of selling their artworks at one of Malaysia’s largest anime, comics and games conventions on December 23 and 24.
In the realm of anime culture, selling merchandise such as fan-made art, crafts and cosplay is commonly referred to as “boothing.”
The trio’s booth, named Tired Grannies, comprised Hani Raimi Ramli, 32, Masturina Haziqah Murad, 30, and Intan Darwina, 27, who shared a passion for participating in Comic Fiesta 2023 despite their lack of experience in boothing.
Although avid attendees of anime conventions, the idea of becoming exhibitors had never crossed their minds until recently.
Hani, now a full-time illustrator at a local book-publishing company, expressed the courage it took to sell her artistic creations after years of persuasion from her friends.
“I felt ready, given the increasing opportunities to showcase and sell my artwork. Previously, I mainly created art for others, but now, I have my own art pieces.
“Masturina had been urging me to open a booth together for almost four to five years before I finally agreed,” Hani told Scoop.
Typically, creative exhibitor booths, also known as artist alleys, feature fan art from various anime, games and franchises. However, Tired Grannies took a unique approach, focusing on Malay heritage art, food and cats.
“We aim to sell something that represents us three artists and to experiment with the experience, facing the challenges.
“Our ‘Tired Grannies’ signage is distinctive, resembling a large stop sign on a red stick, making it easy to spot in the crowded hall.
“We haven’t seen that kind of signage before, and some booths use small signs, making it difficult for others to notice,” Hani explained.
Masturina, the event and publicity coordinator, emphasised the importance of collaborative roles within Tired Grannies, where each member contributes based on their talents and expertise.
To produce their merchandise, she utilised online shopping platforms and sought assistance from friends to find suppliers.
“Hani provides her artwork and promotes us on social media, Intan manages the booth, and I handle logistics and connect with suppliers, along with overseeing product details and budgeting. We maintain a detailed spreadsheet for this,” Masturina said.
Despite their first venture into boothing, they successfully earned approximately RM10,000 over both days of the convention.
The trio anticipated facing various trials and errors but aimed to learn and improve for future boothing opportunities.
They found joy in interacting with the crowd, selling their products, and more during the convention.
“Our lesson learned is that, as three individuals, we need to think about how to assimilate with each other to work effectively.
“To market our products, we must plan product placement and display,” Masturina noted.
As their artwork deviates from the typical fan art seen at anime conventions, the storytelling of their original characters and their lore played a significant role in enticing people to buy their merchandise.
With improved planning and new merchandise, they plan to continue their partnership in future booths. – February 4, 2024