It’s nice when someone doodles a picture for you. But holy smokes, imagine if that doodler were sitting snug inside a human-size vending machine!

The DoodleVend is a clever little project by Sally Leach, encouraging artists to interact with their audience in an instant, playful way. Local illustrators take up residency inside the custom-built DoodleVend (think cubbyhouse meets carnival… with a token slot!) and you can chat to them through a bright red funnel, or peek in the window as they get busy doodling.

The DoodleVend takeaway menu includes party hats, badges, and cupcakes (edible ink!) – all doodled on as per your request. I love how the silliness of this project makes it so approachable. There’s just no shying away from a custom party hat!

DoodleVend is popping up around the UK, but even for us non-locals, their Facebook page is good fun!

Read on for more photos and a little interview as DoodleVend maestro herself, Sally Leach, shares a little more about the project.

I’m hoping to expand the project, and take it to many other places. I think it would work alongside so many different events. My dream is to make several of them and take them to music festivals!