What the Bobbie Goods Coloring Craze Can Teach Our IB Artists?

Beyond the Trend: What the Bobbie Goods Coloring Craze Can Teach Our IB Artists?

IBDP Visual Arts/World Culture - By Ms. Mila Vasconcelos

Before the summer break in my IB Visual Arts class in Bahrain, my students were already buzzing about a specific type of doodle art—cute, cozy coloring pages filled with little houses, pastries, animals, and cozy scenes. I assumed it was just another fleeting classroom obsession, until I began to travel.

While exploring stationery shops in Malta and Italy, I noticed that many kids and teenagers were carrying around the same aesthetic: soft-colored markers, detailed coloring books, and sketchbooks filled with adorable, comforting drawings. Then, when I visited Brazil to see my family, it hit me—my nieces, nephews, and all my friends' kids were just as obsessed. It wasn’t a coincidence—it was a global trend.

It turns out, the movement was sparked by Bobbie Goods, the brand created by California-based artist Abbie Goveia. Best known for her nostalgic and feel-good coloring books, Goveia taps into a world of anthropomorphic animals and cozy domestic scenes, offering products like canvas bags, stickers, and greeting cards alongside the books. Thanks to her presence on TikTok and Instagram, the brand has developed a dedicated global fanbase, drawing in both children and adults looking for moments of quiet joy and stress relief.

Why Are Teens (and Adults) So Obsessed?

At first glance, it might seem surprising that high school students—especially IB artists—would be drawn to this. But if you dig deeper, the appeal makes total sense:

• Nostalgia & Comfort: Bobbie Goods offers a visual escape from the pressure of achievement and productivity. These drawings feel warm, familiar, and safe—especially valuable during the high-stress pre-exam season.

• Creative Autonomy: There's no right or wrong. No assessment rubrics. Just pure coloring. This freedom provides a therapeutic balance to the otherwise structured and goal-driven IB curriculum.

• Portable Practice: Whether students are using colored pencils or markers, they’re experimenting with blending, layering, and color harmony without even realizing it.

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Using Trends in the Classroom: From Casual to Conceptual

When I saw how engaging this trend was, I brought it into my classroom as an end-of-year visual exercise. My students, overwhelmed by exams and deadlines, loved having a safe, silly, and pressure-free way to keep their hands moving and their creativity flowing.

This experience evolved into a deeper class discussion with guiding questions such as:

• What makes an artwork “valuable”?

• Would you rather create one unique piece sold for thousands or many small affordable ones enjoyed by thousands?

• How do you balance following trends and developing your own artistic voice?

• Can simple exercises like this help you overcome creative blocks or perfectionism?

These conversations opened up thoughtful debates about authenticity, accessibility in art, and the role of play in the creative process.

Practical Benefits: Technique Without the Pressure

Here’s what students unintentionally practiced by engaging with this trend:

• Blending and shading with colored pencils or markers

• Color harmony and contrast

• Personal interpretation through color choices

• Confidence and risk-taking by letting go of perfection

These are fundamental skills in the IB Visual Arts course—but framed in a low-stakes, student-led context, they become accessible and joyful.

Lesson Extension: From Coloring to Creation

For those teaching IB Visual Arts or other upper-level art courses, here’s how you could build on the Bobbie Goods trend:

Mini Project Idea:

Ask students to design their own themed coloring page, incorporating elements of their personality, culture, or everyday environment. From there, have them:

• Reflect on their aesthetic decisions

• Consider how to distribute or share the pages (e.g., community art, digital downloads, sticker packs)

• Write a short artist statement connecting their choices to their broader practice

This elevates the exercise from coloring in someone else’s world to creating their own.

Final Thoughts: Not Just Cute, But Creative

As a teacher, I used to hesitate when students asked to color in class. It felt like a break from the “real work.” But this summer taught me otherwise. When students engage with trends like Bobbie Goods, they’re practicing core skills, reflecting on their values as artists, and finding joy in the process.

So whether they dream of crafting a one-of-a-kind masterpiece or becoming a creator of widely shared and loved designs, this kind of practice helps them understand that there’s more than one path to being an artist.

And sometimes, that path starts with a cozy drawing of a bunny holding a cup of tea.