Is it me, or do McDonald’s golden arches and childhood memories just go hand in hand? Like, there was just something about the scent of those crispy fries sitting next to a wrapped new collectible, waiting to be unwrapped by my little hands. It just doesn't get better than that. Or does it? This month, I heard that McDonald’s was creating nostalgia-evoking memories again. Yes, it seemed unreal, but the fast food giant actually created a vintage-inspired “Collector’s Meal” featuring new art on six collectible cups for us big kids, and "a new generation of fans." According to the news, lots of us got super excited, creating a demand for these collectible cups in stores and online. Thousands of us wanted them. Demanded them. In fact, a set of free cups are selling for up to $150 on ebay right now. And, in the middle of it all, a Latino artist made pop culture history. Let me explain further.
Oscar Bastidas Makes Pop Culture History
A couple of weeks ago, a McDonald's representative contacted me via email. But it was no ordinary workday email. It was, dare I say, special?
“As part of this nostalgic collab, McDonald’s tapped three talented illustrators that put a fresh spin on fan favorite keepsakes including renowned Latino illustrator (and former Crew member from Venezuela!), Oscar Bastidas,” the McDonald’s rep's email said. “Oscar used to work at McDonald's to support his dream of becoming a graphic designer, and now has returned to the Golden Arches to bring back nostalgic joy for a new generation through his work on three cups from the collection: Barbie & Hot Wheels, Beanie Babies and McDonald’s.”
What? The vintage cups were back? And, this time around, a Latino artist was behind the scenes? It was my lucky day. As a Latina jouranlist who writes all things Latino, I had to know more.
To my delight, and for your reading pleasure, of course, I caught up with Bastidas for an exclusive interview. He opened up about his rise from McDonald’s employee to featured artist in its brand’s newest collection. And, as luck and timing would have it, the interview happened just days after the frenzy for the collectible cups made national headlines. Bastidas and I both knew what this meant. He had just made pop culture history.
Oscar Bastidas Q & A
These days, the talented Latino illustrator, who once donned the McDonald’s uniform, lives in New York, worlds away from first job in a Venezuelan McDonald's. But there's so much more to his story. And he tells it so well. Here find out how an ambitious artist made his dreams come true, in his own words:
NS: What is your first experience with McDonalds as a kid?
Oscar Bastidas: I remember the first time I got to visit McDonald’s in Caracas, Venezuela with my mom. It was the first McDonald’s in the country, which was a big deal to all of us there. I recall going to the playground after eating, that was my favorite.
NS: I read that you actually worked at McDonalds. What was that like?
Oscar Bastidas: McDonald’s was like a second school. Having been 17 at the time, I learned a lot about being responsible, time management, leading teams, dealing with difficult customers. It’s pretty intense stuff to learn as a teenager, but it made me feel like I was ready to deal with the real world.
NS: When you worked at McDonald's, what were your career dreams at the time? (And did they include McDonalds?)
Oscar Bastidas: Actually, the reason why I started working at McDonald’s was to help pay for my studies in graphic design. I worked part-time in the mornings to help my mom pay for my schooling and then went to class later in the day. So to go from working hard to make sure I could get my degree to this, it’s a dream come true.
NS: What was it like when McDonalds reached out to you for this project?
Oscar Bastidas: I was so excited! It was a full circle moment, having been one of the kids enjoying McDonald’s and then working there to help pay for my studies. It was a culmination of what I worked for.
'There’s a special easter egg in the McDonald’s cup.'
NS: What was your goal in creating the new art of these collectibles?
Oscar Bastidas: Primarily, it was being able to replicate the feelings and nostalgia that come with the memories of all the items featured. Everyone has that special McDonald’s item that you always think back to, that helps you remember the happiness of being a kid.
NS: What's something special we should know about these designs?
Oscar Bastidas: There’s a special easter egg in the McDonald’s cup. The Macro Mac, which you can see on the cup, is actually a toy I got in my Happy Meal when I was seven years old and it’s something I have kept throughout my life, even now. Since the concept of the cups is focused on nostalgia, it was something I had to feature.
NS: People are already collecting your glasses. These collectibles may be in kitchen cabinets for years to come, like many of McDonald's vintage glassware. How do you feel knowing that?
Oscar Bastidas: I feel so honored to have my artwork featured on three of these new cups. Especially in a world where everything is going digital, and everybody is immersed in their phones, these IRL items acquire a special value. My hope is that these cups could work as a “generational bridge”, that would open conversations in millions of homes, and maybe for a couple of minutes, people will be able to forget about their worries while they are enjoying a nice lemonade in one of these cups.
