Talented teen puppet maker goes global after setting up business in Covid lockdown

A talented Teesside teenager is being tipped for the big stage after selling his puppet creations around the world.

Now, Louis Robson, 19, is also being commissioned to work as an illustrator and has hopes of going on to create illustrated or puppet films. Louis' flair for creation stemmed from an affection for The Muppets when he was a child.

During the Covid lockdowns he started to make his own at home - the first being a pink cookie monster-style puppet called Gumbo. He then created a grey one - and it spiralled from there.

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He said: "I showed some of my friends, put them on social media, and people liked them. I kept making more, some were sold.
"Within a few weeks of making a custom designed one, I was sending them across the UK, places like East Sussex, Norfolk … then people from New York, the USA, were asking for them."

Alongside that he is illustrating too. He said: "An illustration for a company called Orangebox during work experience rekindled my love for animations because I always liked them - I used to do them all the time on a Nintendo DS."

Louis has also created a cheeky animation of two frogs out of Plasticine with the voices of his grandparents having a conversation in the background that can be viewed on YouTube.

He said: "They have dementia. My mam and sister are their main carers and I help out when I can because my grandparents have done so much for us over the years. They both inspired me to design these frogs, a Creature Comforts-style clip. I interview them about 'regeneration' and I highlight their reactions as frogs! My grandparents make me laugh so much and this is a lovely lasting memory for me to have."

The Hartlepool teen has made a lasting impression on lecturers at Hartlepool College of Further Education with his work after completing a Level 4 creative enterprise course.

His business, The Puppet Laboratory, has now opened other avenues and he is being commissioned to illustrate on projects.

As well as working on a children's book for a local author, yet to be published, Louis has been invited back to create more work for Hartlepool-based Orangebox Training Solutions after successfully producing a marketing animation for the company.

Louis, due to start a degree in animation at Northern College of Art in September, said: "I've absolutely loved it at Hartlepool College and developing as an illustrator in animation. The end goal now is to make a pilot for an animated series, maybe make something akin to The Simpsons or Creature Comforts. I'd love to make a short animated or puppet film.

"The last three years have made me the person I am today. I'm more confident in myself and I am doing things I never thought I would be comfortable doing."

Louis wants to be a unique artist and the standard of his work has blown away those he has worked closely with. Lauren Morrell, a programme leader for creative enterprise at Hartlepool College, said: "I have always said to Louis 'don’t forget me when you are famous'. He is phenomenal as a creative person, but then he is also hugely caring and supportive of others. He's a one-off and we are excited about his future."

For further information or if you are interested in commissioning Louis check out his Instagram @mr_louis_robson