Cabbage Patch Kids are unique, soft-bodied dolls that became a major toy craze in the 1980s. Created by artist Xavier Roberts in 1978, the dolls were first called “Little People” before being mass-produced by the toy company Coleco in 1983 under their now-famous name. Each doll had a distinct face, name, and even came with adoption papers, making every one feel special and personal.
In graphic design history, Cabbage Patch Kids showed how thoughtful branding, character design, and packaging could turn a toy into a cultural phenomenon. They helped shape how designers today think about emotional branding and consistency across products.
