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25 episodes with toy design
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2 episodes with toy design
Have you ever wondered what it's like to run a business with your spouse? Is it all fun and games, or does every dinner conversation turn into a boardroom meeting? Do you get to celebrate the wins together, or do you find yourself debating packaging details at 10 PM on a Friday night?I was so curious about this dynamic that I sat down with Alex and Whitney Kimerling, the husband-and-wife team behind Hootenanny Games. But instead of just interviewing them together, I decided to interview them separately, asking them the exact same questions!Alex and Whitney have built a thriving inventor-driven game company, and in this episode, they share what it's really like to run a business together, how they develop games, and why they love working with inventors.You'll get an inside look at both the best and hardest parts of running a toy business with your spouse. You'll learn why Hootenanny Games exclusively licenses inventor-created products and what they look for in a game pitch—plus how you can pitch to them.If you've ever thought about inventing board games or working in the toy industry, you don't want to miss this one! And if you're curious whether Alex and Whitney's answers matched up… you'll have to listen and find out.
Polarizing topic incoming... DEI. When The Toy Coach was picking up steam, many people told me a focus on DEI and being black would be to the benefit of my business. There were so many opportunities to speak on and about diversity and struggle as a person of color that it was hard to feel justified looking the other way at those opportunities.My instincts told me that the DEI initiatives and opportunities offered, while tempting, were not solid ground to build a business upon….and unfortunately, I was right.This episode explores my personal feelings about the DEI initiative rollbacks that started with the US federal government and spilled out into a few corporations, how we feel, what we think, and what we'll do now. Be sure to check the show notes for links to black-owned businesses you may be interested in buying from.Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass
Let's face it: toy brands get almost ALL the glory, but the inventors behind the product—people like you—deserve the spotlight too. In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I'm sharing 5 lessons to take you from hidden genius to rising star, inspired by my own experience and my recent convo with Tim Walsh, inventor of ‘Blurt!'.We're talking about why advocating for yourself matters (yes, you can request your name on the box), how to time your ideas to ride the perfect trend wave, and why pitching just one idea is a rookie mistake. (Spoiler: you need a whole pipeline of concepts.)I'll also give some insight into how to spot the white space in the market, using data-focused tools and cross-industry trends. Hit play if you agree with me and Tim Walsh that toy and game inventors are criminally unrecognized.
What if a simple classroom activity could unite generations across decades? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we're celebrating 30 years of Blurt with its inventor, Tim Walsh, and uncovering the incredible story behind the game that connects Boomers to Gen Alpha.Discover how a third-grade classroom exercise—reading dictionary definitions aloud—sparked the creation of a timeless game that's built kids' vocabularies, brought families together, and even supported memory retention for older adults. Tim takes us through the evolution of Blurt, from its humble beginnings as a prototype called DeFUNitions to becoming a household staple.But this episode isn't just about one game. It's about the unsung heroes of the toy industry—inventors who remain “criminally unrecognized” despite shaping cultural phenomena like UNO and LEGO. Tim and I explore why toy creators deserve the same recognition as musicians and authors, how Euro games are leading the way in celebrating designers, and what the industry can learn from them.Tim also shares invaluable lessons for aspiring toy creators: why resilience and persistence are critical, why timing can make or break a product, and why you should always focus on generating multiple ideas instead of pinning your hopes on just one. You'll also hear how toys like Operation have inspired careers in fields like healthcare and engineering and how play is essential for creativity, connection, and overcoming life's challenges.Whether you're a toy enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or someone who values the power of play, this episode will leave you inspired to think differently about toys—and the brilliant minds behind them.Listen for these Important Moments! [01:44] - The Surprising Anonymity of Toy Designers[04:16] - The Origin Story of Blurt[07:33] - Blurt's Impact and Evolution[21:58] - Challenges and Successes in the Toy Industry[24:10] - The Power of Play in Creativity and Connection[26:17] - Insights from Toyland: Interviews with Legendary Inventors[28:33] - The Concept of 'Entreplayneur' and Embracing Playfulness[34:31] - Play Throughout Life: Lessons from Blurt and Beyond[38:12] - Advice for Aspiring Toy and Game Inventors[40:40] - The Influence of Childhood Toys on Future CareersSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass
There's nothing more important to developing creativity than play, so let's look at the toys that featured the Man of Steel. In particular, back in thew 80s, DC put out a line that distilled the raw power of their characters into figures that punched and kicked without the need for buttons or levers! That's right, Case and Jmike are joined by guest Rick Lee James to discuss the venerable DC Super Powers line! Overview In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Case Aiken and JMike Folson welcome guest Rick Lee James for an engaging discussion about the impact of action figures on childhood perceptions of superheroes, particularly focusing on toys from the Super powers line of the late 70s and early 80s. The episode delves into the cultural influence of various superhero toy lines, including Power Rangers and Transformers, while examining the design and action features of iconic vehicles like the Batmobile and Supermobile. The hosts explore the evolution of toy designs, the crossover between toys and media tie-ins, and how characters like Cyborg emerged from the Super powers cartoon. Rick shares insights into his music career and current role as a hospital chaplain, along with social media details for fans. The meeting concludes with plans for future episodes and an action item to research additional Superpowers memorabilia. Notes Introduction and Toy Discussion(00:00 - 10:30) ● Hosts Case Aiken and J. Mike Fson introduce the podcast and guest Rick Lee James ● Discussion about the importance of action figures in shaping childhood perceptions of superheroes ● Rick shares his experience with Super powers toys from the late 70s/early 80s ● Toys as a source of creativity and early fan fiction for children ● Mention of He-Man's origin from unused Conan the Barbarian toy molds Superhero Toy Lines and Media Influence(10:30 - 19:32) ● Discussion of Power Rangers, Transformers, and Superman merchandise ● Death and Return of Superman toy line from early 90s mentioned ● Batman animated series influence on toy production ● Superpowers toy line features discussed, including action features for each character ● Detailed list of Super powers characters and their action features Toy Design and Cultural Impact(19:32 - 31:12) ● Comparison between original Superpowers line and new McFarlane toys ● Discussion of vehicles in both toy lines, including Supermobile and Batmobile ● Mention of Jose Louis Garcia Lopez's influence on toy design ● Impact of Super powers cartoon on future DC storylines, including Cyborg's inclusion in Justice League ● Robot Chicken's use of Super powers toys in their sketches McFarlane Toys and Vehicle Features(31:14 - 39:21) ● Detailed discussion of McFarlane's new Super powers toy line ● Focus on vehicle toys having action features while figures do not ● Comparison of original and new Supermobile, Batmobile, and Wonder Woman's Invisible Jet ● Discussion of comic accuracy in new toy designs Superpowers Media Tie-ins(39:21 - 46:52) ● VHS tapes featuring Superman, Aquaman, Batman, and Superboy mentioned ● Discussion of Superboy's prevalence in media despite lack of dedicated toy ● Mention of Justice League of America Skyscraper Caper board game ● Ubiquity of Superpowers merchandise in the 1980s Wrap-up and Guest Information(46:52 - 57:40) ● Rick shares his Superman Twitter account and music career ● Discussion of Rick's current work as a hospital chaplain ● Hosts share their contact information and upcoming content ● Mention of YouTube channel and Dungeons & Dragons videos ● Closing remarks and podcast information
Ready to turn your toy ideas into marketable products but feeling lost in the world of virtual pitching?
How do you pivot your toy business when your current model isn't working?In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade chats with Tyler Turk, founder of Crated with Love, about his journey from subscription box entrepreneur to retail board game powerhouse. When Tyler's subscription box business skyrocketed during the pandemic, it seemed like a dream come true—until the workload became unsustainable. That's when he made a bold decision to pivot to selling one-off products, a shift that transformed his business into a retail success story.Tyler shares how he tackled the challenges of transitioning from subscriptions to board games, landed his products in major retailers like Barnes & Noble, and mastered the art of adaptability in a competitive market. Whether you're looking to refine your toy business, connect with retailers, or learn how to pivot your brand to match market needs, this episode offers invaluable insights for creators, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals alike.Learn Tyler's strategies for navigating manufacturing, retail partnerships, and scaling your business without burnout. Don't miss the practical tips and inspiring lessons from this episode!
We meet Nuria Torras, the founder of Lekkid, a Barcelona-based toy brand focused on promoting creativity and imagination in children through educational play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to successfully launch on a crowdfunding platform? Many creators go to the world of crowdfunding believing it's simply about having a great idea and posting it online. However, there's far more strategy involved than we realize. The process requires meticulous planning, audience engagement, and a strong narrative to capture backers' hearts and minds.In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade talks with Lisa Ferland, a seasoned crowdfund consultant who has helped raise over $1 million for creators on platforms such as Kickstarter, BackerKit, and Indiegogo. Lisa shares tips on everything from evaluating if crowdfunding is right for you, to understanding the importance of community, and the critical role of storytelling in the toy industry. Discover why the pre-launch phase is crucial and learn specific strategies to keep backers engaged throughout your campaign. Listen to the full episode to absorb these insights and more—perfect for both seasoned and aspiring creators!Listen For These Important Moments05:25 Lisa's Journey: From Editing Stories to Crowdfunding Consulting11:22 The First Steps for a Successful Kickstarter Launch18:47 Indicators That Crowdfunding Might Be Right for You24:30 The Importance of Building an Audience for Crowdfunding Success30:56 Engaging and Maintaining a Community of Backers36:45 The Role of Visuals and Multimedia in Kickstarter Success41:03 The Significance of the Pre-Launch Phase in Crowdfunding49:20 Understanding and Navigating the U-Shaped Curve of Campaigns55:12 Key Elements of Post-Launch Engagement for Repeat BackersSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass
Ever wondered how to truly captivate buyers in the toy industry? Or why do some sales pitches fall flat even when the product is amazing?In today's episode, we will talk about the magic of storytelling in the toy industry! We'll cover how sales reps and vendors approach things differently, plus the secrets to crafting pitches that go beyond a quick sale and build lasting customer relationships. Discover how storytelling can be the key to success in this highly competitive toy market. Join us in this storytelling showdown with our guests, Tres Patton and Rachel Jones! Tres reveals techniques for crafting a compelling brand story, while Rachel discusses the importance of seeing through a child's eyes and building long-term relationships. Learn the art of maintaining passion, educating retail partners, and ensuring your product stands out. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in toy sales who's ready to level up through the art of storytelling!Listen For These Important Moments02:26 The Storytelling Face-Off Begins05:49 Defining Storytelling in Sales06:53 Building Trust Through Product Experience14:30 Adapting Storytelling for Tough Sales18:26 Understanding the Roles: Vendor vs. Sales Rep25:38 Rediscovering Passion in Sales26:08 Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Sales26:50 Balancing Work and Personal Life28:42 The Importance of Flexibility in Sales31:32 Building Relationships Through Storytelling36:26 When Storytelling Falls Flat41:32 Favorite Toys of Tres and RachelSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass
Want to know how to ‘wow' your way into the competitive toy industry? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade looks into Richard North's life, sharing how he went from a determined 19-year-old to a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Wow! Stuff. You will learn about his career's turning points, such as being featured in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire TV Show, including the emotional inspirations behind the creation of Wow! Stuff and groundbreaking ideas that keep the company pushing forward.Find out the importance of mentorship, early business ventures, and how innovation can stem from unexpected places like the novelty 'Butt Face' towel. Get ready to be inspired by Richard's stories from personal heartbreaks to meeting scientists, forging a path toward tech-infused toys and revolutionary 'puppetronics.' Listen to this episode for expert insights and fascinating anecdotes that captivate and educate aspiring toy creators like you! Listen For These Important Moments01:17 Early Challenges in the Toy Industry04:01 Building a Resilient Team07:35 The Importance of Recruitment09:40 Richard's Entrepreneurial Journey21:20 The Psychology of Consumer Behavior27:04 Why Richard Started Wow! Stuff33:53 From Novelties to Toys36:17 Innovating with Wow! Stuff39:36 Collaborations and Future Plans49:20 A Heartfelt Business Story52:44 Childhood Toys and Final ThoughtsSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass
If there's one thing kids do better than adults, it's play. As the playwright and political activist George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Who needs Botox when you have Barbie dolls? Speaking of Barbie... can you think of another brand that has evolved as much over the past 65 years? Barbie is unique in that, over those 65 years, she has transitioned from representing just one of us to representing all of us. Today, Barbie does more than just model; she's President. But today's episode isn't about Barbie. It's about leadership, legacy, and how one woman's personal passion for childhood and commitment to learning through play has enabled many of the world's most iconic toy brands—from American Girl to Polly Pocket, and of course, Barbie—to stay relevant and evolve with the times. Krista Berger is the Senior Vice President of Barbie and the Global Head of Dolls at Mattel, where she leads Product and Brand Marketing for Mattel's Dolls category globally. Krista's career at Mattel began 16 years ago in the Dolls division, where she developed a strong foundation in intellectual property, licensor management, and commercial expertise across the Dolls portfolio and the U.S. Barbie business. When Mattel acquired Mega Brands in 2014, Krista was a key member of the integration team, spearheading the Mega strategic rebranding initiative, which led to increased distribution and impressive double-digit sales growth in the construction category. In 2017, Krista returned to the Barbie team, helping drive record-breaking performance with a 60% increase in the toy business. Notably, Krista's vision and leadership were instrumental in re-establishing Barbie as the #1 global doll property. Her contributions and dedication have earned her several industry recognitions, including the Ad Age 40 Under 40, Brand Innovators 40 Under 40, and the Women in Toys Wonder Women Award. In this episode of Masters of Storytelling, Maya talks to Krista about the importance of play, localizing global brands, and the careful listening required to sustain a brand as iconic as Barbie. For more information about Krista, visit: https://bit.ly/3MWhyLv For more information on Mattel, visit: https://bit.ly/3zx2C3f For more information about BRC Imagination Arts, visit: www.brcweb.com
What Can a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Teach Us About Toys?In Episode 236 of "Making It in the Toy Industry," host Azhelle Wade chats with pediatric occupational therapist, Kerri Wilmot, who has a treasure trove of insights from her nearly 25 years in the field.Kerri uses toys to help children improve fine motor skills, coordination, and overall performance in self-care tasks. Her work with kids facing ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy is testament to the transformative power of play. Want to help your child master the art of tying shoelaces? Kerri's got a tip for that—use toy tools like tweezers to build up the necessary hand strength. Is your kid's sensory processing a roadblock to engaging in play? Kerri's got that covered too in her book “Wired Differently.” And if you're worried about how tech has sidelined physical activities, her new book “Fine Motor Foundations” addresses this head-on with practical advice.Episode Cliff Notes:Learn the secret to using household items for enhancing your child's fine motor skills. (Timestamp: 10:15)Find out how AI can creatively assist parents in developing engaging activities for their kids. (Timestamp: 15:45)Find out the unique toy recommendations Kerri shares for developing fine motor skills, and how you might already have these items in your kitchen. (Timestamp: 18:42)Hear expert insights on the impact of sensory regulation and how to improve your child's focus through play. (Timestamp: 22:30]Hear Kerri Wilmot's personal stories about memorable toys from her childhood. (Timestamp: 30:05)Mentioned In This Episode: For the links mentioned in this episode visit www.thetoycoach.com/236Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!The Toy Challenge: Idea To Prototype in Just 5 Weeks! Click Here for details and to join. Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass
Eli first met Brendan Boyle when Brendan was his instructor in the undergraduate Product Design program at Stanford, where Brendan has taught for many years. Brendan is also a toy inventor, and one of the assignments in his class was to design a toy—now that Eli has kids, he realizes how bad his toy project was, which made Brendan's justified criticism of his idea that much more bearable. Brendan, however, has a unique gift for retaining the curiosity and playfulness that has made so many of his toy designs successful. We spoke with Brendan about the importance of play in the creative process, testing new toy concepts with kids, how decoupling innovation and metrics can create judgment-free creativity, what's wrong with LEGO today, and the eternal optimism that drives inventors. Find bonus content, a transcript and more on our Substack: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/brendan-boyle Bio Brendan Boyle is a toy inventor at Fuse London, Adjunct Professor at Stanford University's d.School, and the Founder of the IDEO Play Lab. He believes that play is the key to innovation and has spoken to creative leaders, entrepreneurs, and students about the importance of playful exploration and risk-taking. He founded the Play Lab to uncover kid-centered solutions to the challenge of boredom. As Brendan says, "The opposite of play is boredom." Under his leadership, the Play Lab has invented and licensed hundreds of toys and apps, including the best-selling Jumperoo and Elmo Calls, respectively. Brendan also consults with companies about redesigning their organizational behavior to include space for play, wrote (and teaches) the Design for Play at Stanford's d.School, and co-authored the award-winning encyclopedia of never-before-seen inventions, The Klutz Book of Inventions. *** Premium Episodes on Design Better This is a premium episode on Design Better. We release two premium episodes per month, along with two free episodes for everyone. Premium subscribers also get access to our monthly AMAs with former guests, ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops, access to our (small but growing!) library of books and participation in book giveaways, and our new enhanced newsletter The Brief that compiles salient insights, quotes, readings, and creative processes uncovered in the show. Upgrade to paid *** Visiting the links below is one of the best ways to support our show: Zeplin: Few things frustrate designers quite as much as seeing the UI they've meticulously designed, botched when built out. But Zeplin can help you make every design-to-dev handoff efficient and accurate so you nail every release on time and on budget. Design Better listeners can get their first month of the Basic Plan free. Just go to zeplin.io and use code DESIGNBETTER to get your first month of the Basic Plan free. LinkedIn: Design Better is supported by our pals at LinkedIn—our favorite social network. It's hard to get your B2B marketing to land with the right audience. Let's face it, the web can be a very noisy place! If your message isn't targeted to the right audience—it just disappears into the noise. With LinkedIn Ads, you can precisely reach the professionals who are more likely to find your ad relevant. With LinkedIn's targeting capabilities, you can reach people by job title, industry, company, and more. Start converting your B2B audience into high quality leads today. To get a $100 credit on your next campaign go to LinkedIn/designbetter to claim your credit. Babbel: Babbel's quick 10-minute lessons are hand-crafted by over 200 language experts to help you start speaking a new language in as little as 3 weeks. Here's a special, (limited time) deal for our listeners: Right now get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription by visiting http://babbel.com/designbetter. Rules and restrictions may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a Text Message.In today's episode we speak with Gabriel Williams, a 3D modeler! We speak about him studying rigging at Gnomon, learning toy design at Rad Sechrist school, and working on a short film to learn and grow as an artist. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cart00n.gabeCreating in Color is a podcast show casing the creative endeavors of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Anyone from production, illustration, interior design and technology!Creating in Color's SocialsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@creatingincolorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creating.in.color/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Create_inColorKo-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/creatingincolorIntro/Outro song by NamikazeSound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/namikazeYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NamiKazeCapKaybe's SocialsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaybeitsKaybeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maybeitskaybe/Twitter: https://twitter.com/maybeitskaybeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/maybeitskaybeGuest opinions are their own and are not necessarily a reflection of Creating in Color/Kaybe Woods.
"Running a worldwide drawing challenge" with Whitney Pollett and Lauren Barger. We are wrapping up May, but not without talking to Tom's partners in "MerMay", the amazing Whitney Pollett and Lauren Barger! Tony and Tom dig into how MerMay became the second largest drawing challenge on the internet and a worldwide phenomenon, what are the changes happening with the event, and how Whitney and Lauren plan on growing it! Also, we discuss their careers in Toy Design and Character Design and how they make it all work!
Kids today are facing a kindness crisis. From the playground to the classroom, loneliness and bullying run rampant. But there's hope on the horizon, thanks to one toy designer's mission to spark empathy through play. Meet Jana Hallam, TCA alumni and the visionary founder of Wonderwell Toy Co.In this inspiring episode, Jana opens up to guest host Virginia Lette, about her journey from an emotionally attuned child to a kindness crusader for the modern age. You'll discover how a frustrating Christmas tradition kickstarted her quest to create The Kindness Mouse - an engaging plush toy, storybook, and activity set that's captivating kids' hearts. Jana has created a play product with impact, one that actively empowers the next generation to embrace compassion. Throughout this conversation Jana and Virginia explore Jana's sources of inspiration as well as her first-hand experience with Toy Creators Academy. Find out why Jana called the TCA Community a crucial piece to her toy journey. Hit play to listen to the full episode right now.Can't Miss Moments:Find out how long Jana Hallam has been in the toy industry.Learn what inspired Jana to start her toy company, Wonderwell Toy CompanyFind out the stat for bullying amongst children that will shock you.Jana and Virginia discuss weather kindness is taught or innateLearn how Jana discovered Toy Creators Academy and she ultimately chose Azhelle and the TCA community to go on her toy journey with.Hear the pivotal advice from a Toy Creators Academy community member that helped Jana find the right manufacturing partner after a year of struggle.Discover what 2024 has in store for Wonderwell Toy Co!And finally learn how to get in contact with Wonderwell and purchase the Kindness Mouse, currently available for retail and wholesale!Mentioned In This Episode:This episode is brought to you by The Toy Coach.Visit thetoycoach.com/213 for the links mentioned in today's episode.Support the show
Are you giving your toy's package the attention and budget it deserves? If your answer isn't an immediate "Heck yes Azhelle, ALWAYS." then it's time to listen to part 2 of of Ivan and Brittany's interview on this podcast.At the top of the episode, Ivan and Brittany share their secret on staying up to date with trends and spotting what's exciting in packaging. They remind us to step out of our comfort zones and to explore everything from boutique shelves to big-box stores to uncover what really makes packaging pop.In the second half our our chat, this creative duo shares the packaging effects they feel are most overused and the packaging effects they feel are most underused in the toy market. Find out what your packaging might be saying about you and your brand, simply by the finish you choose. Today, more than ever, it's crucial to balance what looks good, what's good for our planet, and what fits the budget. This chat with Anchor Creative isn't just technical; it's a call to think bigger and bolder about how we package our toys and games.Finally once you're inspired to think bigger when it comes to packaging, this episode closes out with a clear walkthrough of what it's like to work with Anchor Creative and how you can get started today.Can't Miss Moments:Retail Reconnaissance: Learning from Kids and Stores [00:01:00] - Find out how Ivan and Brittany use their family trips to stores as a real-time market research tool.The Eco-Friendly Packaging Conundrum [00:02:43] - Explore the complex world of sustainable packaging solutions and why eco-friendly packaging materials aren't your only options to reduce your carbon footprint.Gloss vs. Matte: A Packaging Debate [00:05:30] - What gloss and matte finishes say about your brand, and why one may be better than the other. The Power of Pantone [00:06:30] - Uncover the potential and cost of using unique Pantone colors to make your packaging pop off the shelves. Mentioned In This Episode:This episode is brought to you by Anchor Creative.Visit thetoycoach.com/212 for the links mentioned in today's episode.Support the show
Your toy package should be the 24/7 salesman for your toy product. Is your packaging putting in the work? If you have ever wondered how to make your packaging communicate the value of your product, I've got a new episode that you just can't miss. As one of our guests today will attest, often toy packaging is an afterthought, but what if I told you it's one of your most powerful communication tools?In this episode, I had the privilege of diving deep into the art of communication in packaging design with Brittany and Ivan Wesley, the masterminds behind Anchor Creative. With over two decades of experience in branding and packaging, they've turned the concept of packaging into a storytelling art form, with bits of “magic” worked in here and there. One fascinating insight they shared was the strategic use of awards and accreditations on packaging—how to showcase them effectively without overwhelming your audience. But that's just the tip of the iceberg; we also explored the nuances of communicating a toy's digital features and the secrets behind packaging that sells.Brittany and Ivan opened up about their journey from the food and beverage industry to the vibrant world of toys, revealing surprising lessons about the underrated role of packaging in the toy industry. They walked us through their approach to a few key projects, demonstrating how packaging can communicate your toy's value, intrigue potential buyers, and convey the essence of your brand—all before the box is even opened.Can't Miss Moments:The Art of Showcasing Awards [00:12:39] Discover how to elegantly highlight awards and accreditations on your toy packaging without cluttering the design. Brittany and Ivan share some clever strategies that intrigue rather than overwhelm the buyer.From Food to Toys [00:01:33] A Packaging Design Journey: Hear the surprising insights Brittany and Ivan gained by transitioning from the food and beverage industry to the toy sector. Their experiences shed light on the untapped potential within toy packaging design.Highlighting Digital Features with Flair [00:07:18] How do you communicate a toy's digital components on its packaging effectively? The episode teases some innovative methods that go beyond traditional design approaches, making your product stand out on the shelves.Packaging as a Potent Marketing Tool [00:18:36] This conversation dives into the strategic use of packaging as a powerful marketing ally. Discover how the right design elements can transform your packaging into a silent salesman that draws consumers in and drives sales.Mentioned In This Episode:This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.comVisit thetoycoach.com/211 for the links mentioned in today's episode.Support the show
Have you heard about the Toy Trade Show that happened in Las Vegas? It's called Toy Fest and I just dropped an episode all about it in case you missed it! In this episode I'm sharing quotes from the diverse range of attendees, breaking down emerging trends and highlighting innovations showcased on the floor and in the showrooms.Discover why Toy Fest should be at the top of your list if you're considering bringing a new toy line to market. With insights from exhibitors, buyers, and seasoned toy veterans, you'll gain invaluable knowledge about what's hot in the toy and game space right now. From plush toys to fashion and tween products, arts and crafts to building kits, you'll learn about the top-selling categories and the latest innovations driving the industry forward.But Toy Fest isn't just about products—it's also a hub for networking and collaboration. In this short podcast episode hear stories of connections made, advice exchanged, and opportunities locked in during the event. Whether you're a newcomer seeking to make your mark or a seasoned professional looking to expand your network, Toy Fest offers a relaxed and friendly environment where industry experts come together to share successes and learn from each other.Don't miss this insider's look at Toy Fest 2024 and the valuable insights it offers for anyone making their way in the toy industry.Episode Cliff Notes:Learn why Toy Fest should be at the top of your list for bringing a new toy line to market.Discover the top-selling categories and emerging trends showcased at Toy Fest 2024.Gain insights into the power of networking and collaboration in the toy industry.Hear stories from exhibitors, buyers, and seasoned veterans about their experiences at Toy Fest.Find out how to make the most of your time at industry trade shows and build valuable connections.Explore innovative products and exciting developments shaping the future of the toy industry.Uncover the secrets to success in the competitive world of toy manufacturing and retail.Get inspired to take your toy business to new heights with the knowledge gained from Toy Fest 2024.Learn about the importance of staying ahead of trends and adapting to changing consumer preferences.Discover how Toy Fest offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry experts and stay informed about the latest Support the show
Have you ever wondered what drives the passion behind toy inventors? In this compelling episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we dive deep with Ehi Oviasu-Kahn, the dynamic chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Women in Toys Licensing and Entertainment, and the creative mind behind Little Art. Discover how the quest to entertain and educate her daughter during the pandemic led to the birth of a new toy company. Ehi shares her journey from attorney to toy inventor, driven by the desire to merge art, play, and developmental learning into unique toys for children.Ehi shares the challenges and triumphs of entering the toy industry with no business background, leveraging her artistic talent, and motherly intuition to invent toys that are not only fun but also foster development. She also reveals how staying informed on market trends and backing pitches with solid data can make all the difference in getting your ideas noticed.Episode Cliff Notes:Ehi shares two unexpected fields she worked in prior to the toy industry [00:01:30]Learn about the inception of Little Art and the mission behind the brand [00:03:35]Ehi shares how she stays up to date with social trends that influence the types of products that the toy industry wants to see. [00:07:25]Ehi shares her best experience pitching her ideas and what she learned from it. [00:10:37]Get a peek into the creative process behind Ehi's art and toy designs [00:15:52]Gain insight on how to leverage personal experiences to inspire toy concepts [00:18:22]Find out where to connect with Ehi. [00:20:46]Mentioned In This Episode:This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.comVisit thetoycoach.com/208 for the links mentioned in today's episode.Support the show
Are you struggling to crack the networking code in the toy industry? Tune in to episode #207 of The Toy Coach Podcast: Making It In The Toy Industry as Azhelle Wade, unveils the secrets behind successful networking. Spoiler? It's easier than you think. The host debunks myths surrounding industry connections and shares invaluable tips for building meaningful relationships that drive professional growth.When you listen to this episode, you'll discover how genuine connections can open doors to unexpected opportunities. Azhelle shares firsthand experiences and insights gleaned from her three-year journey in The Toy Coach. Learn the importance of authenticity in networking and how it can lead to fruitful collaborations and partnerships. If you've ever wondered exactly how deals and partnerships came to be, then you can't miss this episode,Episode Cliff Notes:The surprising truth about networking myths and how they might be holding you back in the toy industry.Ever wondered how professional friendships can evolve into game-changing opportunities? Listen in to hear how it happened for Azhelle.Discover Azhelle Wade's personal journey through the toy industry and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way.Learn the one networking mistake most professionals make and how to avoid it to accelerate your career growth.Dive deep into the importance of authenticity in building genuine connections that can supercharge your success.Find out the one thing that you need to have in place before you start networking.Mentioned In This Episode:This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.comVisit thetoycoach.com/207 for the links mentioned in today's episode.Support the show
Do you remember the original tiny world of Polly Pocket? In this week's episode, we dive deep into the history, secrets, and surprises behind this iconic toy with Maude Campbell, author of the upcoming book The Legacy of Polly Pocket: Mattel's Micro Moneymaker. Join us as we explore how a simple button inspired inventor Chris Wiggs to fashion an iconic toy out of a makeup compact. Learn about the transition from Bluebird to Mattel, the ups and downs of Polly's size changes, and the enduring love fans have for this miniature wonder.It all began with a simple idea – the concept of a miniature world that could fit in the palm of your hand. This idea, however, was far from simple in its execution. Polly Pocket owes its creation to the ingenious mind of Chris Wiggs, an inventor who found inspiration in an unlikely place – a makeup compact.Join us in this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry as we meet a fellow Polly Fan who felt inspired by her collection to research and write a story of Polly Pocket. In this episode we celebrate the enduring charm of Polly Pocket and all of her secrets and surprises.Episode Cliff Notes:Learn the heartwarming story behind Polly Pocket's creation and the special father-daughter relationship that inspired it. Discover why Polly's transition from Bluebird to Mattel had fans divided and how she managed to maintain her charm. Hear the most surprising and moving fan stories that Maude encountered in her research for the upcoming book.Learn the importance of the phrase “secrets and surprises” to the Mattel team.Get an exclusive peek into Maude Campbell's upcoming book, and hear a clip you won't find anywhere else!Mentioned In This Episode:This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.comVisit thetoycoach.com/204 for the links mentioned in today's episode.Support the show
Ever wondered how a beloved character from a children's book can leap off the pages and become a real toy? This episode of "Making It in the Toy Industry" reveals the transformative journey of a TCA Alumni who turned a character from their storybook into a cherished 12-inch plush toy.Join Virginia Lette as the host of this new series in a conversation with CJ Charles, the author and toy creator behind My Mother Is A Superhero. Hear the story of how CJ successfully turned her book's protagonist, 'Justine', into a tangible plush doll. Discover the creative and strategic steps involved in developing a clear brand mission, Pantone selection, and expert vetting that helped CJ bring her toy concept to life. From initial design challenges to effective brand messaging and beyond, this episode is a deep dive into the art of turning a literary character into a marketable toy brand.Episode Cliff Notes:Discover the journey of turning a book character into a plush doll [00:02:56]Find out what toy CJ Created in Toy Creators Academy [00:03:00]Insights into overcoming toy industry challenges [00:10:26]The importance of clear brand messaging for toy inventors [00:11:09]A peek into CJ's process of prototype development and refinement [00:15:38]The role of networking in the toy business [00:18:27]Impact of Toy Creators Academy on aspiring toy inventors [00:23:35]Pitching ideas to major toy companies [00:20:14]The importance of having a supportive community on your journey [00:19:00]CJ's future plans and aspirations in the toy industry [00:29:15Mentioned In This Episode:This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.com Visit thetoycoach.com/203 for the links mentioned in today's episode.Support the show
With Jeff Smith, Steve Strope, and Cam Benty Presented by ARP Sean Smith Designs joins the Car Guys again at the Petersen Auto Museum, this time with Marcel Venable from behind the scenes. Sean and Marcel reminisce of the early mini truck and import designs Sean has done. Sean shares the design process behind comedian and car guy Kevin Hart's Roadrunner dubbed ‘Michael Meyers' including a custom pair of Nike Air Max sneakers using carbon fiber and splatter leather from the car, custom for Kevin Hart. See more of Sean's work at www.seansmithdesigns.studio and on IG at @seansmithdesigns Visit www.arp-bolts.com for all of your engine fastener and hardware needs. Checkout the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles at @petersenmuseum www.petersen.org. Subscribe to Classic Truck Performance, All-Chevy Performance, and Modern Rodding magazines and the rest of In the Garage Media's content at www.inthegaragemedia.com For more automotive videos and TV shows, visit Auto Revolution at www.autorevolutiononline.com Get the parts and gear seen on our videos www.amazon.com/shop/autorevolution Watch episodes on Amazon Prime, Roku, and Tubi TV www.amazon.com/v/autorevolution
How does the recent California law mandating gender-neutral toy sections in large retail stores impact the toy industry? This episode takes a deep dive into the nuances of this legislative change and its potential ripple effects on manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.The episode revisits a critical discussion from October 2021, examining the intricate details and recent amendments of the bill turned into law. We explore the initial intentions of the bill, which aimed to encompass childcare items, children's clothing, and toys, and discuss the significant changes it underwent before becoming law. One of the notable alterations includes the exclusion of children's clothing from the bill and the refined definition of 'childcare items,' emphasizing products designed for sleep, relaxation, feeding, sucking, or teething.The Toy Coach sheds light on the financial implications of non-compliance with the new law, analyzing the fines and penalties associated with failing to adhere to the new regulations. The episode also covers consumer reactions and sentiments, highlighting how the law is perceived as both a progressive step and a performative act by different segments of the population.The episode explores the opportunities and challenges this law presents for toy manufacturers, including the need for rapid adaptation and the possibility of developing new gender-neutral product lines.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the California gender-neutral toy law, its implications for the toy industry, retail strategies, gender norms in toy marketing, and the broader societal implications of such legislative changes. It's an essential resource for toy industry professionals, retailers, manufacturers, marketers, and consumers looking to stay informed about the latest trends and regulations in the toy industry.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES:Learn about the origins and updates of California's gender-neutral toy law [00:00:30]Find out how Assembly Bill 1084 has evolved since its introduction [00:01:02]Discover the implications for childcare items and toy categories [00:02:21]Understand the changes in retail space and consumer attitudes [00:04:06]Explore the financial implications of non-compliance with the law [00:03:36]Delve into retail strategies for implementing gender-neutral sections [00:05:01]Analyze the potential impact on toy manufacturers [00:24:12]Examine the creative opportunities arising from these changes [00:34:23]Discuss the broader implications for toy retailing and gender norms [00:37:27]Recap of the episode with key takeaways [00:38:00]MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/202Support the show
Guest: Rebecca Horace, EdD, Founder at Playful Insights ConsultingOn LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-horrace/Host: Josh MasonOn ITSPmagazine
The Power of Recyclable Innovation: "Keep your old workaround, recycle some things, use it as a springboard for building on top of cannibalized parts of it for new things, because there's no sense in trying to always reinvent something from scratch, especially when you've put a lot of work and effort into something." — Mike Brennan I had the incredible opportunity to visit Dan Klitsner's studio in downtown San Francisco recently, and it was an experience I won't soon forget! As the host of the Creative Chats Podcast, I get to connect with amazing artists, makers, and creators, and Dan has been one of those incredible individuals. Here are 3 key takeaways from my visit to Dan Klitsner's studio: 1️⃣ The power of hands-on interaction: Seeing Dan's inventions and creations up close was truly magical. It reminded me of the importance of getting our work into the hands of others and creating experiences that go beyond visual appeal. For artists, makers, and creators, this serves as a reminder to focus on creating experiences that truly engage and captivate our audiences. 2️⃣ Behind-the-scenes inspiration: Exploring the cabinets filled with prototypes and past ideas that didn't make it to market was eye-opening. It highlighted the iterative nature of the creative process and reminded me that failure is not an endpoint, but rather a stepping stone toward success. Don't be afraid to embrace experimentation and learn from every experience along the way! 3️⃣ Endless possibilities: Dan's studio was a testament to the boundless potential of creativity. The variety of products and ideas showcased the endless possibilities that come with embracing your imagination and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. It inspired me to keep pushing the limits of my own creativity and explore new ideas and avenues. Thank you, Dan Klitsner, for your hospitality and for inviting us into your inspiring studio! And as always, if you haven't already, be sure to check out the Creative Chats Podcast for more interviews and stories from incredible creatives. Listen to Dan on Creative Chats episode 131! Be sure to check out www.dailycreativehabit.com, which offers access to a free private Facebook group called Daily Creative Habit, as well as a free daily creative habit email newsletter. And don't forget to explore the new daily creative habit guided creativity journal available on Amazon.
9 to 5 Warriors, and it's a nineties-inspired toy line that aims to recapture the magic of the Saturday morning cartoon era. The founder o 9 to 5 Warriors, Brandon Braswell, is sharing his experience pitching a show idea and toy line at the TCA Virtual Pitch Event, we'll discuss what he's done with the brand so far, he'll share his pitch video, and share tips for making your best IP pitch yet. Have you ever dreamed of seeing your show idea turned into a hit animated series or action figure line by the iconic toy company, Hasbro? Well, that's a dream you share with the guest of today's podcast episode, Brandon Braswell! Lucky for you, Brandon sat down with The Toy Coach to share his experience of building his toy brand and TV show, and ultimately pitching it to Hasbro at the TCA Virtual Pitch Event. Follow along Brandon's toy journey, including his early ideas, the mistakes he made along the way, and why he wishes he'd found Toy Creators Academy sooner! During this episode, The Toy Coach asks Brandon questions that YOU want to hear the answers to, including how he found funding to develop his first production run, how his show pitch was received, and how he built his following online. But that's not all! You'll also get to hear the exact tv show pitch that Brandon presented to Hasbro, featuring his brand 9 To 5 Warriors. If you're a visual person, head over to youtube.com/thetoycoach to watch the entire pitch.Don't forget to SUPPORT 9 To 5 Warriors! >> Learn more about 9 To 5 Warriors by visiting www.9to5warriors.com and pre-ordering the action figures at Big Bad Toy Store. Have a great idea for a toy or game? Start here. Visualize, Validate, and Vow to make your toy or game idea real in this 5 day bootcamp. Visit learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcamp to sign up.Support the show
Updates on making articulated action figures and GI Joe figure nostalgia.
Ready to unleash your inner child and discover the fascinating world of toy invention? Join us for an exciting conversation with Matt Nuccio, a talented inventor and toy designer, who shares his secrets to navigating the complex and playful toy industry. From balancing work and play to discussing his family business and favorite projects, we dive into the joy of invention and the power of play, along with our joke of the week and some fun insights about life in the world of toys.But it's not all fun and games – we delve into the critical aspects of sales, marketing, and intellectual property protection, including Matt's thoughts on the differences between ideas and inventions, licensing, and self-publishing a toy concept. We also dive deep into the complexities of patent law, the role of reputable patent attorneys, and the challenges independent inventors face in today's ever-changing landscape. Don't miss this chance to peek behind the curtain of the toy industry with Matt Nuccio, your toy company for hire!Matt Nuccio, CEO of Design Edge, has served as co-chair of the Toy Industry Association (TIA) representing all inventors and designers in the toy industry. Matt also sits on the United Inventors Association (UIA) board of directors lobbying for patent reforms and inventors' rights. He has worked as a consultant and on-air personality for the Science Channel's hit TV show "All-American Makers". He will share how he helps other makers play for a living! Learn more at https://www.designedge.net/(0:00:22) - Playing for a LivingMatt Nuccio discusses balancing work and play, his favorite projects, and his family business in the toy industry.(0:08:30) - Toy Sales and Marketing ImportanceMatt discusses differences between ideas and inventions, nuances of the toy industry, licensing/self-publishing, having a built-in audience, and the importance of packaging.(0:21:18) - Toy Industry Patent ChallengesMatt and I discuss patent reform, protecting intellectual property, injunctive relief, AI, and first-to-market value.Support the showSupport the Playful Humans mission to help adults rediscover the power of play: Subscribe to the YouTube channel Subscribe to the Podcast Book a playshop for your team Support our sponsors
Are you curious about the potential of AI in the toy industry and how it can revolutionize the way we create and develop products? This eye-opening part 2 podcast episode delves into the power of AI, particularly the new AI called Auto GPT, and its capabilities to generate business plans, toy ideas, and game ideas. Discover how AI can lead the brainstorming, research, and business planning process, and learn how Gen Z is shaping the future of AI use in the workforce.In this episode, The Toy Coach discusses their experience using Auto GPT, accessible through a web-based browser called Agent GPT, to create a 100 million-dollar edgy doll line. By diving into this fascinating AI technology, you'll learn how it can generate tasks to help you develop your own innovative toy line. In this episode, The Toy Coach breaks down a mind map in an attempt to predict the future impact AI will have on our industry and society as a whole. Don't miss the exciting insights and applications of AI in the toy industry, as well as the discussion about the heroes of the AI movement.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES:Discover how Agent GPT and Mid Journey were used to generate a million-dollar edgy fashion doll line called Cyberpunk Princess.Dive into The Toy Coach's AI mind map and the immediate effects of AI, like surplus of generic content, increased SEO competition, and job reduction.Find out how unique and personal voices of artists can increase in value in response to AI-generated art, and the shift in selling and sharing authentic artwork. Discover how AI is revolutionizing influencer marketing by rapidly analyzing social media data - are you ready for this game-changer?Explore the emerging challenges of personal privacy and data protection in the age of AI, and uncover the surprising future value of creative writing.Ideate on potential partnerships between AI and research/data companies - could this concept for collaboration reshape how we access and utilize information? TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy
Are you curious about how AI can revolutionize the toy industry? Do you want to know how AI can help in designing and marketing a toy product? If so, then this podcast episode is for you. Join The Toy Coach in this insightful episode as she explores the potential of AI in toy design and marketing.In this episode of the Making It In The Toy Industry Podcast, The Toy Coach shares her experience in using an AI language model called Agent GPT to generate ideas for a toy product. From creating a unique toy name to identifying edgy influencers for marketing, Agent GPT proved to be a valuable tool in the toy industry. One interesting thing that was learned is how AI can save time and resources in conducting research and analysis, ultimately leading to faster and more responsive product development. Teased in this episode are insights on using mid-journey, an AI tool for generating high-quality images, and a mind map on the future of AI in the toy industry. Overall, this episode provides a fascinating look into how AI can help with various aspects of toy design, from generating new ideas to finding social media influencers to work with. Listeners will gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of AI in the toy industry and how it may shape the future of toy design. Don't miss this episode if you're interested in the intersection of AI and toy design.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES:[01:40] Discover how AI is revolutionizing the toy industry and learn about the possibilities of using AI to design new toys.[06:55] Find out how AI can help in designing toys that align with current social and societal trends and learn about the challenges toy designers face when creating new toy ideas.[11:10] Learn about the two types of people who lead the toy industry and how they impact the development of new toy products.[15:30] Get insights into how AI can analyze social media trends related to edgy fashion and use that to inspire toy ideas.[19:40] Discover how AI can generate unique and trademark-free names for toy products and learn about the importance of researching trademarks before deciding on a name.[23:50] Learn about how AI can identify potential influencers and help craft personalized messages to introduce a toy product to them.[28:00] Discover how AI can analyze the interests of an influencer, generate personalized messages, and recommend the best communication channels for delivering the message.[32:30] Teaser for the next episode, where The Toy Coach explores how AI can be used to generate high-quality images for toy products and predicts the future of AI in the toy industry. TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy
How do you go from a dreamer with comic book aspirations to a toy industry legend and award-winning toy designer? Today's guest shares his incredible journey as an artist, parent, and toy designer from the 1990s until now. His toy journey will inspire you to take a risk, put in your all, and go that extra mile.David Vonner's original dream was to be an illustrator for Marvel Comics. However, his family and those surrounding him encouraged him to go down a path that would ensure a good career. After attending the Art Institute of Philadelphia, David got his first design job at Spencer's, and then went through a slew of creative toy jobs that led him to work at Marvel as a toy designer for 5-6 years, before moving on to Hasbro to work on their Marvel-licensed products. In today's episode you will learn how connections helped David to advance in the toy industry, how he went from traditional employment to starting his own company, and his best piece of advice for people in the toy industry today. His toy story is captivating, informative, and inspirational!EPISODE CLIFF NOTES:Learn how David's love of comics helped him to develop drawing skills in childhood. [00:08:47]Find out the surprising connections that led David to think of a career outside of comics. [00:19:09]Learn about the difficult and shocking event that delayed David's college experience by 3 years and made him even more determined to succeed. [00:22:44]Find out why David redid his entire portfolio the weekend before a job interview. [00:28:11]Learn the first product that David designed at his first job. [00:35:05]Hear the heart racing tale of how David lost the address to the new Marvel offices on his way to the interview! You'll be surprised where he was able to find it. [00:49:44]Learn the advice that helped David not only survive but thrive while working on the Marvel team at Hasbro. [00:59:55]Find out how David took care of his mental health after a difficult time in the toy industry. [01:22:53]Learn how David started his own studio, Vonner Studios [01:33:51]MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEFor the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/162 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy
Think of a time when you were shopping for a product and just thought to yourself, “Ugh, all of the options are boring, or not that cute, or they don't work the way I need them to.” You're creative, so you probably thought of a great way to improve that product at that moment. But, maybe you wondered if you could really do everything that goes into creating a successful product in the toy industry. Keep listening to learn the inspiring story of someone who did just that. Josh White is an award-winning innovator who combines strategy, branding, marketing, packaging design, manufacturing, and toy creation at his creative agency, OffWhite Co. He created a line of kid-friendly measuring tapes called Handy Famm after a dissatisfying trip to the hardware store with his daughter. This is a great example of how the best toy ideas come from the world around us and our everyday lives. In today's episode, you will learn how sticking with the “box” of what you know can actually help you to get started with your ideas. You'll also learn how Josh's product is toyetic, the importance of safety in toy design, and how Josh deals with challenges that come his way in the toy development process.EPISODE CLIFF NOTESLearn about the first time Josh got to innovate in the toy industry. [00:05:38]Find out the story behind Handy Famm's inspiration. [00:10:44]Learn the toyetic properties included in Handy Famm's products and ideas. [00:13:58]Find out how Josh used Kickstarter to see if his product could be successful. [00:16:00]Learn what safety considerations went into creating the tape measures. [00:18:27]Find out how challenges can actually be a good thing. [00:21:20]Learn what Handy Famm did to become the number one measuring tool on Amazon. [00:23:57]Find out how Josh takes the steps to bring his ideas to life. [00:29:27]Learn how using what you know can help you to start on your ideas. [00:32:16]Find out where to get a special promo code for Handy Famm. [00:36:59]MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEFor the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/161― ―Thanks To Our Episode SponsorPip Heartwood is an innovative new type of toy-book that lets the child customize their characters using paper cutouts and stickers, then literally put him or herself into the story. Support the Kickstarter - Save 20% with code "thetoycoach" visit https://pipheartwood.com/― ― TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy
A logo is not the most important part of your toy business. A logo holds NO meaning without a strong product or service behind it. Knowing that is true, should help alleviate the pressure of designing or selecting the perfect logo for your toy brand. Your logo can evolve and change as your company evolves, and it can still maintain the brand recognition of powerhouse brands like Barbie, Hasbro, and Google.In today's podcast episode The Toy Coach dives into the meaning of a Logo. You'll learn what the purpose of your toy brand logo might be, and how to best execute that purpose for your stage of business. Learn the 9 traits of good and bad toy logos that will help you design your next iconic brand look OR help you improve the look your brand currently has.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/120
Dan is the inventor of the iconic Bop It, a wildly successful children's toy that has sold over 30+ million units since 1996. Dan Klitsner has had a love for games for as long as he can remember, and he is not just a one-hit-wonder. Dan has created and patented over 100 other ‘annoying' toys that parents and kids alike have loved to hate for decades. Bop it for Good is Dan's latest project, taking the success of the Bop It and turning it into a force for change for underserved communities, and especially children. Through the Bop It for Good program, 100% of his profits through the website will go to Boys and Girls Clubs in underserved areas to provide assistance and programs to children. https://bopitforgood.com/ Join Daily Creative Habit: www.DailyCreativeHabit.com
Artist Jeremy “MAD” Madl, founder of MAD Toy Design, Inc. joins Matty Rock and Bourbon expert Tom Fischer on Cigar Saturday to talk about new collectible art toy projects, his vinyl art, and more. Jeremy has worked on projects for Kidrobot, Mattel, Mojang, Pepsi, Sony, Netflix, Spin Master Toys, Cartoon Network, Swatch, and more. Find Jeremy on MadToyDesign.com to learn more. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bourbonblog/support
Charles Goodyear may have developed vulcanized rubber in 1839, but its origins are actually much older and more playful than you might imagine. After a visit to ancient Mesoamerica, Azhelle Wade joins us to talk about her career as a toy designer, patented inventor, and her latest adventures in the business of play as “The Toy Coach.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you ever wonder who gets to be in charge of making the Pops and toys you love? Well, on this episode we tear open the vinyl to feast on the creative goo that is Funko Creative Director, Reis O'Brien. Fresh off his recent creation of the Grogu Ballon for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Reis walks us through his career from slaving away in the world of illustration to creating toys and vinyl pops that we all know and love. Along the way, Reis gives us some of the best advice on how to look at yourself as an artist, find the spark that you need to move forward with an idea, and be comfortable in your own designs. A great episode for everyone looking to find a bit of mentorship along the way. And of course check out more Creative Mind on our blog, Instagram, and YouTube pages. Got a question? Let us know!
Industrial Design, Creative Inspiration & Personal Projects! Today, we chat about the Lego Bird Of Paradise Set, subconscious design and the nostalgia of childhood toys. On today's episode of “The Process” we discuss: Zak's pasta recipe Lego Bird Of Paradise set Hoarding containers Package & cannister designs Subconscious design Nostalgic childhood toy designs Remembering Virgil Abloh All the links, all the time! Industrial Design, Creativity & Inspiration! For Industrial Design related business inquiries: Big Design Company Website: www.bigdesigncompany.com Big Design Company email: hi@bigdesigncompany.com Follow us on Instagram! @theprocess__podcast https://www.instagram.com/theprocess__podcast/ Zak Watson // LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-watson-48618517a/ Behance: https://www.behance.net/zakwatson Website: https://www.zakwatson.com/ NFTs: Stretched Space Dylan Torraville // LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylantorraville/ Website: https://dylantorraville.com Portfolio: https://dylanjtorraville.myportfolio.com/ Behance: https://www.behance.net/dylantorraville Send us an email to hi.theprocesspodcast@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to reach out! The Process is a podcast created by industrial designers Dylan Torraville and Zak Watson. Dyl and Zak are picking up microphones to chat about their experiences in design school, personal projects and navigating the creative process. Oh yeah, and there will be some sweet interviews with other designers and friends too.
The inventor of one of the most iconic audio toys shares the journey from idea to icon. In its 25th year, the BopIt! transcends generations, and it all started with a simple idea to make a fun remote control for kids.Dan Klitsner has had a love for games for as long as he can remember. He went to school for industrial design and eventually found his way to toy design. Inventing the generationally popular BopIt was inspired by his experience creating universal remote controls. He wanted to make a toy that was interactive, silly, and could be played by all!Today, we're discussing how Dan welcomed his growing success and other products he's made. We talk about some of the failures that come along with the journey, and he offers his advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps. Key Takeaways-When the BopIt journey started (01:45)- Its origin story (03:15)- BopIt growing in momentum (10:00)- What challenges he's had to overcome (11:30)- Another product that he's made (14:00)- One of his products that have failed (18:15)- How BopIt gives back (20:30)- Advice for those wanting to follow in his footsteps (24:30)Additional Resources Learn more about BopIt for Good here Connect with Dan on InstagramYou can find the transcripts and more at http://bizninjaradio.comBe sure to follow me on Instagram @bizninja---Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, YouTube, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
The inventor of one of the most iconic audio toys shares the journey from idea to icon. In its 25th year, the BopIt! transcends generations, and it all started with a simple idea to make a fun remote control for kids.Dan Klitsner has had a love for games for as long as he can remember. He went to school for industrial design and eventually found his way to toy design. Inventing the generationally popular BopIt was inspired by his experience creating universal remote controls. He wanted to make a toy that was interactive, silly, and could be played by all!Today, we're discussing how Dan welcomed his growing success and other products he's made. We talk about some of the failures that come along with the journey, and he offers his advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps. Key Takeaways-When the BopIt journey started (01:45)- Its origin story (03:15)- BopIt growing in momentum (10:00)- What challenges he's had to overcome (11:30)- Another product that he's made (14:00)- One of his products that have failed (18:15)- How BopIt gives back (20:30)- Advice for those wanting to follow in his footsteps (24:30)Additional Resources Learn more about BopIt for Good here Connect with Dan on InstagramYou can find the transcripts and more at http://bizninjaradio.comBe sure to follow me on Instagram @bizninja---Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, YouTube, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
What does it take to create a game and launch it from the ground up? How do you prepare concepts to pitch to major retailers like Target and Wal Mart? Tim Walsh shares his uncensored advice on how to successfully navigate the challenges of creating games and toys in the play industry. About Tim Walsh TIM WALSH is a professional speaker, author, game designer and filmmaker. As a play advocate, Tim is out to prove play is a means through which we find our passion,pique curiosity, encourage problem-solving, spark creativity and promote intrinsic motivation. A 30-year veteran of the toy industry, Tim's designs and codesigns of games have sold over 7 million copies in 13 countries and include the games TriBond, Blurt, Mad Gab, Feed Fuzzy, Bull's Eye and many others. Tim's latest game, MEGA MOUTH: The Game of Reading Lips from Big G Creative is now for sale exclusively in Target stores nationally.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)
Há um grande salto na cognição da criança nos seus primeiros 5 anos de vida. Bruna Madureira nos mostra a responsabilidade do Toy Design O post Existe brinquedo bom e ruim? Qual a importância do Toy Design? apareceu primeiro em ATOM studios.
About the speaker: Suhasini Paul is an eminent Toy Designer, alumni of NID, TEDx speaker, and Co-founder of Paulstudio India. She is a recipient of the "Designpreneur of the year" award from Shri Narendra Modi. She has designed over 300+ toys for her clients in India, Thailand, Italy, UK, USA, Turkey, and France, which are launched every year at various Toy Fairs across the globe. She also designs toys for Kinder Joy, Disney, Hape, and Chhota Bheem. How Play as Therapy Treats and Benefits Children and Some Adult? As adults, when we have emotional issues or mental health problems, we are often able to recognize that something is out of sorts; sometimes, we are even able to share our emotions with others. But with children – particularly those who are very young – this may not be possible. Some children may be unable to express themselves verbally, some may be shy, and some others may not be very comfortable with sharing their problems. It is then more effective to use play, a medium that comes very naturally to the child, to explore their issues. Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play to help children deal with emotional and mental health issues. By using play as the medium, children are able to explore their feelings and share them with the therapist or the parents. In this form of therapy, a therapist encourages a child to explore life events that may have an effect on current circumstances, in a manner and place of the child's choosing, primarily through play but also through language. Play therapy, can help individuals communicate, explore repressed thoughts and emotions, address unresolved trauma, and experience personal growth and is widely viewed as an important, effective, and developmentally appropriate mental health treatment. #playastherapy #internationalwomensday2021 #IWD2021 #WomensHistoryMonth #shoutout #mentalhealthawareness --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sakalweareinthistogether/message
FULL SHOWNOTESTo view the full episode show notes, visit: https://www.perspective-collective.com/perspectivepodcast/200SPONSORVisit https://garmcompany.com/scotty and use code Pizza20 to take 20% off their premium textures, brushes, fonts, and courses. This even works on SALE items!---Thanks for vibin’ with me over the past 200 episodic adventures. Let’s celebrate with a monumental audio experience with today’s guest...We welcome today, the new homie, Don of Invisible Creature, on the show.He and his brother Ryan are backed by 4 Grammy nominations for packaging and have long list of big-name clients like Nasa, Lego, MTV, Xbox, Nike, and more.Their toys and products are showcased major retail stores, and they’ve designed album art for some of the biggest musicians in the world. In this episode, Invisible Creature talks about creating what you want to see, the evolution of your style/voice, creating toys, and their latest book, Face the Music: 20 Years of Album Art.If you’re ready to say yes to hiring yourself to create the type of work you want to create, then this episode was crafted specifically for you.RESOURCES & REFERENCESEngaged Community Building Blueprint Video CourseFree Resource: Engaged Community GuideCONNECT WITH MORNING BREATHWebsiteShopBook: Face the MusicInstagram Twitter----GET A GLOBAL PODCAST SHOUTOUTBecome a future Listener of the Week by Subscribing and leaving a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes here.FREE TOOLKIT TO SIDE HUSTLE FREEDOM6 FREE resources to help you grow an audience and build a profitable creative side hustle outside your day job. Download here.FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONWith as little as your weekly cup of coffee, you can support the growth of this show by backing us on Patreon. JOIN THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR CREATORSJoin a like-minded FREE global community of kickass creators and take your side hustle to the next level. Your family is waiting.PURCHASE THE SIDE HUSTLER’S HANDBOOK PDF COURSEThe proven framework that’ll help you gain clarity, confidence, and a mental edge to unlock your biggest side hustling breakthrough. Purchase here.BEST DEALS ON THE BEST DESIGN RESOURCES (Affiliates)G.A.R.M. Co. - Use PIZZA20 for 20% OFF premium courses, brushes, textures, and fonts. Shop here.Engaged Community Guide - A FREE guide for growing an audience around you and your work. Download here.Happy Money Course - Generate passive income by transforming your artistic passion into a digital product. Enroll here.The Lettering Pricing Handbook - A handbook and video series helping letterers get paid their worth. Purchase here.Lauren Hom’s Classes - Use PERSPECTIVE10 for 10% OFF Lauren’s premium classes. Shop here.Design Cuts - Download your FREE Ever-Expanding design resources bundle pack. Download here.LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTING APPApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastYouTubeCONNECT WITH MEInstagramPodcast InstagramYouTubeTwitterTikTokPinterestCREDITSMusic - BlookahPodcast Editor - Aine BrennanExecutive Assistant - Paige GarlandPhoto & Video Specialist - Colton Bachar Social Media Coordinator - Hannah SchickAnimation Specialist - Greg D'Amico
Questo è the Pixels Chips e io sono Matteo Sgherri. News, stampa e scultura 3d per giocattoli e art toys, il mio progetto, eventi e molto altro. il podcast Design Addicted Podcast di Salvatore Varriale - https://podtail.com/podcast/design-addicted/
The inventor of one of the most iconic audio toys shares the journey from idea to icon. In its 25th year, the BopIt! transcends generations, and it all started with a simple idea to make a fun remote control for kids.Dan Klitsner has had a love for games for as long as he can remember. He went to school for industrial design and eventually found his way to toy design. Inventing the generationally popular BopIt was inspired by his experience creating universal remote controls. He wanted to make a toy that was interactive, silly, and could be played by all!Today, we’re discussing how Dan welcomed his growing success and other products he’s made. We talk about some of the failures that come along with the journey, and he offers his advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps. Key TakeawaysWhen the BopIt journey started (01:45)Its origin story (03:15)BopIt growing in momentum (10:00)What challenges he’s had to overcome (11:30)Another product that he’s made (14:00)One of his products that have failed (18:15)How BopIt gives back (20:30)Advice for those wanting to follow in his footsteps (24:30) Additional Resources Learn more about BopIt for Good here Connect with Dan on InstagramYou can find the transcripts and more at http://bizninjaradio.comBe sure to follow me on Instagram @bizninja---Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, YouTube, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
The inventor of one of the most iconic audio toys shares the journey from idea to icon. In its 25th year, the BopIt! transcends generations, and it all started with a simple idea to make a fun remote control for kids.Dan Klitsner has had a love for games for as long as he can remember. He went to school for industrial design and eventually found his way to toy design. Inventing the generationally popular BopIt was inspired by his experience creating universal remote controls. He wanted to make a toy that was interactive, silly, and could be played by all!Today, we’re discussing how Dan welcomed his growing success and other products he’s made. We talk about some of the failures that come along with the journey, and he offers his advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps. Key TakeawaysWhen the BopIt journey started (01:45)Its origin story (03:15)BopIt growing in momentum (10:00)What challenges he’s had to overcome (11:30)Another product that he’s made (14:00)One of his products that have failed (18:15)How BopIt gives back (20:30)Advice for those wanting to follow in his footsteps (24:30) Additional Resources Learn more about BopIt for Good here Connect with Dan on InstagramYou can find the transcripts and more at http://bizninjaradio.comBe sure to follow me on Instagram @bizninja---Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, YouTube, or anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
Una puntata molto interessante su un argomento molto particolare come quello del design del giocattolo e lo facciamo insieme ad un vero esperto come Matteo Sgherri. Matteo ha un podcast su questo argomento, che si chiama The Pixels Chips che vi invito a seguire per approfondire questo mondo. Con lui cercheremo di capire quali sono i caratteri fondamentali di questa nicchia del Design, quali le aziende principali, quali le principali differenziazioni tra giocattoli industriali e quelli più ricercati definiti Art Toy. Poi con una serie di parallelismi entreremo a fare alcune riflessioni sul mondo del design di arredo, parlando dei volumi, produzioni, premi e soprattutto del Salone del Mobile. Buon ascolto!
Ever toyed with the idea of creating a children’s book but unsure where to start? Today’s guest, Afro Latina author and illustrator Yesenia Moises, knows exactly what it takes. A graduate of the Fashion Industry of Technology with a BFA in Toy Design, Yesenia has two successful children’s books under her belt and even more exciting projects in the works. In a time where the world can be a scary place, she wants it to be filled with big hair, bright colors, and lots of sazón from the heart!In this episode, Yesenia takes us through her journey from her beginnings as a new college graduate working as a freelancer, to an unexpected big break that came from a Twitter hashtag to the book that put her talents on the map. She’ll offer valuable advice on getting your work in front of the right person when first starting out, finding an agent using a great online resource, and her tried-and-true secret to making your artwork stand out.Episode Links:Download Audio on iTunes or Download Audio on SpotifyJoin the Making It in The Toy Industry Facebook GroupClick here to find out where to buy Yesenia’s latest book, Stella’s Stellar Hair which comes out January 5th, 2021Follow Yesenia on InstagramFollow Yesenia on TwitterClick here to check out Manuscript Wishlist, to find book agents and editors.
This week we were joined by Big C. Creates, the creator of Baby Fatts. We discuss his upcoming show of collaborations, his journey to becoming an artist and the story behind Baby Fatts. You can find out more about the upcoming show and Big C at https://www.facebook.com/BigC.artwork.
On this episode we discuss nerd news, new comic book releases and our unpopular opinions. We have a conversation with Linda Jiang, Toy Designer at Mattel, about the first ever gender neutral doll line, Creatable World and also Pro Wrestling. Support the show (https://paypal.me/MOTOpod)
ตลาดของเล่นในสหรัฐฯ ได้รับอานิสงค์ไปเต็มๆ จากการ Lock Down เพราะโควิด เราจะพลิกวิกฤติเป็นโอกาสได้อย่างไร และมาเสริมความแข็งแกร่งให้ธุรกิจ พร้อมลุยตลาดของเล่น กับโครงการ BIG TOY Design 2020 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ditpdesign/message
Today we have the pleasure of introducing Jeff D'Ottavio of Dead Bird Toys we go over all the aspects of toy making as well as Jeff's journey from a kid who loves toys to becoming an independent toy-maker. Check out his toys @thatdamnjdo and at www.deadbirdtoys.com Follow the podcast hosts on social media: Instagram: Ali Haejl @scoobz.mp4 Ali Al Shammari @therealalialshammari alihaejl.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/a2theshow/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/a2theshow/support
George talks about game development concepts from his personal perspective.Segments1. Clearing up some stuff from last episode2. George's hardware setup3. George's most used software4. George's workflow overview5. What's needed to do solo dev work? a. Computer_Stuff b. Work_Space_Stuff c. Learning_Stuff6. Other things George is up toLast Episode: Does Graphical Fidelity Matter?Next Episode: Where Does Inspiration Come From?Instagrams Mentioned:Georgehttps://www.instagram.com/northmoststudios/https://www.instagram.com/george_winterborn/Yuliahttps://www.instagram.com/mossandfeather/Sarahhttps://www.instagram.com/tinypinata/
George and Sarah discuss if and how graphical fidelity matters in games, the difference between graphical fidelity and aesthetic, the role each plays in games and art, and how it all affects them as players and developers.Segments:1. What is Graphical Fidelity2. What is Aesthetic?3. Brief Abridged Timeline of Graphical Fidelity in Games4. How Do Graphics Impact Gameplay?5. Sarah’s Favorite Games Based on Graphics/Aesthetic6. George’s Favorite Games Based on Graphics/Aesthetic7. What Are We Playing?8. What Are We Working On?
George and Sarah unfold and discuss the concept of Ludology vs Narratology in regard to game criticism and study. They also discuss how they individually perceive games as a narrative and/or experience medium. Segments:1. Ludology vs Narratology A. What is Ludology? B. What is Narratology? C. Abridged Timeline of Storytelling in Games D. Our Personal Perspectives2. What We're Playing (Last of Us II Spoliers: [starting 1:09:09])3. What We're Working OnPrevious Episode: Episode 001 - Are Games Art? Next Episode: Episode 003 - Does Graphic Fidelity Matter?
James Russell Hornsby has spent his life cultivating the imagination of children. As one of the foremost inventors in the toy industry, he has been recognized the world over for his creative and innovative designs that inspire wonder as they bring magic to life. His entrepreneurial spirit and passion to improve the lives of others have inspired him to create new products in household, lawn and garden, and medicinal products. However, he is best known for his work in the toy industry where he has touched the hearts and minds of millions of children around the globe. As CEO and owner of Trendmasters Inc., he built one of the largest privately held toy companies in North America, which was sold to Jakks Pacific in 2001. In 2002, Mr. Hornsby founded Cepia LLC on the premise that a small group of people passionate about their craft could make technology indistinguishable from magic. In 2009, Cepia introduced its toy phenomenon, ZhuZhu Pets®. With more than 70 million of the popular robotic ZhuZhu Pets® sold worldwide, the brand was named Toy of the Year 7 times in 5 countries and has earned a place on Time magazine's "All-TIME 100 Greatest Toys" list. In 2010, Mr. Hornsby received the Excellence in Toy Design award from the Chicago Toy and Game Group, and Ernst & Young named him one of its regional Entrepreneurs of the Year. He holds numerous patents for his work and collectively his business ventures have generated over $4 billion in retail revenue. Russ will share his creative process for inventing and licensing toys that spark imagination and wonder. Russ is pictured with one of his daughters, Mia Hornsby. Stephen Key and Andrew Krauss are the world's leading experts on how to license a product idea. If you have an invention idea, this is the show to watch. Steve and Andrew are the cofounders of inventRight, a coaching program that has helped people from more than 60 countries license their ideas for new products. Visit http://www.inventright.com for more information and to join the one-one-one coaching program. If you have questions about how to invent, how to be creative, design, how to do market research, prototyping, manufacturing, negotiating, pitching, how to sell, how to cold call, how to reach out to open innovation companies, licensing agreements, non-disclosure agreements, patents, copyright, trademarks, and intellectual property in general — subscribe to inventRightTV! New videos every week, including tons of entrepreneur success stories. Inventing can be lonely, but you don't have to go it alone! Join the inventRight community for priceless inventor education, mentorship, support, accountability, hand-holding, honesty about the invention industry, and so much more. Contact us at #1-800-701-7993 or https://www.inventright.com/contact. This is the book you need to license your product idea: “One Simple Idea: Turn Your Dreams Into a Licensing Goldmine While Letting Others Do the Work.” Find it here: http://amzn.to/1LGotjB. This is the book you need to file a well-written provisional patent application: “Sell Your Ideas With or Without a Patent.” Find it here: http://amzn.to/1T1dOU2. Determined to become a professional inventor? Read Stephen's new book "Become a Professional Inventor: The Insider's Guide to Companies Looking For Ideas": https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1653786256/ inventRight, LLC. is not a law firm and does not provide legal, patent, trademark, or copyright advice. Please exercise caution when evaluating any information, including but not limited to business opportunities; links to news stories; links to services, products, or other websites. No endorsements are issued by inventRight, LLC., expressed or implied. Depiction of any trademarks/logos does not represent endorsement of inventRight, LLC, its services, or products by the trademark owner. All trademarks are registered trademarks of their respective companies.
George of Northmost Studios talks about his background, why he's going full indie, the purpose of the podcast, and a current Northmost Studios project.Audio quality will improve as episodes are released.Recorded on an iPhone 6, edited with Adobe Audition.
Making an impact is one of the most important parts of the job when you're a toy person. But when you first start out in the industry, making big moves to make a difference for and in our industry can seem like a daunting task. But it's important for ourselves, and our industry that we put our best foot forward and implement those seemingly overwhelming ideas.So for today's episode, Azhelle shares with you a story about how she built a 6-week summer program in partnership with the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County and educated underprivileged youth about creative careers they may have never known about. You'll hear the process she took to building her curriculum, to acquiring donations and introducing her students to the careers of Toy Design, Graphic Design, and Visual Merchandising. From this episode, you'll learn that no matter where you are in your toy journey, you have the ability to give back. The experiences that you've already cultivated, as small as they might seem, could serve as a life-changing, career leading, lightbulb moment for someone else.SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW THIS PODCAST!Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today because I don’t want you to miss an episode. Now if you’re feeling super positive, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. Those reviews help get the word out to other inventors and entrepreneurs like you! It's also fun for me to read. Go to my iTunes page, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what you find most helpful about this podcast. Thanks a lot, toy people! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:FREE DOWNLOAD Non-Profit Program Plan Template - thetoycoach.com/podcast/21Sponsor - thetoycoach.com
Chris's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeastisback/Primeval Island: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QgywzjmJi/Joy Riders: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_iYb30DIQ-/Chris's Website: https://www.thebeastisback.com/Chris's Shop: https://store.thebeastisback.com/Night Cake Press Shop: https://nightcakepress.com/
Are you feeling isolated on your journey of creating your own toy or game product? If you find it hard to connect with other passionate toy people from varying specializations, then this is the episode for you. In this episode, Azhelle Wade shares a valuable new virtual networking initiative just launched by Women in Toys Licensing and Entertainment. This initiative introduces a portal in which members of the organization can connect via video and messages, share ideas, contacts, and educate one another. These 3 new virtual networking opportunities will improve your communication with toy industry colleagues, provide access to organized discussion boards, highlight toy career opportunities, offer even more educational webinars, and most importantly provide the virtual means to building relationships online. There is also a special offer for listeners of MITTI so you can join this amazing organization and take advantage of the wonderful benefits right away.Subscribe & Review in iTunesAre you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode.Now if you’re feeling super positive, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help get the word out to other innovators and entrepreneurs like you! It's also fun for me to read. Go to my iTunes page, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what you find most helpful about this podcast. Thanks a lot toy people!Mentioned In This Episode:Click here to get 3 Months FREE on your Annual WIT Membership or visit https://www.thetoycoach.com/podcast/18Click here to join the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for WIT or visit https://www.womenintoys.com/ruth-handler-mentorship-program/Click here to visit the WIT Website or visit https://www.womenintoys.com/Click here to become a member of WIT or visit https://www.womenintoys.com/membership/Sponsor - thetoycoach.com
Having a mentor can drastically change the course of your career, help ease times of professional confusion, and provide a vision for the future. Women In Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment, partnered with The Mattel Foundation to launch The Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for WIT.This virtual mentorship program is the first of it's kind for our industry. For today's episode, I sit down with the President of Women In Toys, Janice Ross, and the Executive Director, Mary Kay Russel to learn all about the offerings of this much-needed program.Built on the Everwise platform, this program uses a combination of an algorithm and human touch to successfully pair mentors and mentees based on their experience and individual goals. This program is FREE, that's right, FREE for Women In Toys members and lasts a whole 4 months! In that time, mentees will define goals, meet their mentors, and work through weekly milestones. If you're feeling stuck in your toy career, it may be time for a mentor! So take a listen to this episode to decide if The Ruth Handler Mentorship Program is right for you. And guess what? You can become a member of Women In Toys TODAY and sign up for this program immediately! So what are you waiting for? Let's get started.SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW THIS PODCAST!Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Now if you’re feeling super positive, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. Those reviews help get the word out to other inventors and entrepreneurs like you! It's also fun for me to read. Go to my iTunes page, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what you find most helpful about this podcast. Thanks a lot toy people! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Click here to get 3 Months FREE on your Annual WIT Membership or visit https://www.thetoycoach.com/podcast/17Click here to join the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program for WIT or visit https://www.womenintoys.com/ruth-handler-mentorship-program/ Click here to visit the WIT Website or visit https://www.womenintoys.com/Click here to become a member of WIT or visit https://www.womenintoys.com/membership/Sponsor - thetoycoach.com
Sharing 80s memories and lots of laughs with Adam about Garbage Pail Kids, custom figures and much more!Check out Adam's Instagram pages at:https://www.instagram.com/actoydesign https://www.instagram.com/mom_gave_them_away Video version: https://youtu.be/hNixbjK4V6U Support & get extras: https://www.patreon.com/michaelmercy
This week we sit down with another fantastic emerging artist, Jason Rowe. He is the owner and creator of Bearly Available where he creates resin and vinyl figures such as Bearly Dead. He just launched his first vinyl toy at Designer Con 2019 this past November and we discuss the ins and outs of what it takes to get a vinyl toy made. It is a fascinating journey and we cover every detail. Thanks again for joining us, Jason and we look forward to the future of Bearly Available.To learn more about Bearly Available go to his website at bearlyavailable.com or check out his Instagram at @bearlyavailable.
Alex Pardee brings by his friend Rocom of RocomToys.com to announce their Halloween Treat FutureMeToy.com! Win a free Future Me Toy by sharing any episode from Creep Week using the #cottilldeath To hear part two of today's episode please become a member of the Circle of Trust at https://aid.network/ Creep Week 2019 is the 6th annual Halloween podcast festival on Adventures In Design. To listen to previous episodes become a member of the Circle of Trust and unlock the Creep Week Archives: https://aid.network/creep
Molly - How do you become a Pokemon Toy Designer? This episode is all about POKEMON - I had the chance to talk to a real life Pokemon Toy Designer- Molly that is in charge of designing Pokemon toys for North America, working with Wicked Cool Toys. We talk about everything from going to school for toy design and watching Disney Movies as homework to Designing The Exclusive Mew Toy for San Diego Comic Con. Check out the whole Podcast and here’s is an outline of what we discussed! Molly design the Pokemon Toys for North America 1:36 - How do you become a Toy Designer 2:35 - Deep in the heart of Texas 3:48 - Oil and Texas 5:40 - Friday Night Lights - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_Lights_(TV_series) 6:00 - Moving to Arizona and then California 7:20 - Toy Floor - and getting interested into Toy Design 9:30 - Studying in Australia and Designing Pick me pop - https://bit.ly/2MXMivX 10:00 - Designing Inside out and Zootopia Toys 10:46 - What courses do you take for designing toys 13:00 - Why Batman is a great toy and Superman sucks as a Toy 13:30 - Designing toy for girls - Indiana Jones Granddaughter 15:00 - Toy designers as a commodity in the marker 15:45 - Melbourne Australia- as an internship and living in France 18:00 - Japan and Toy Design in Japan 19:16 - A Silent Voice - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Silent_Voice_(film) 19:50 - Durarara!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durarara!! 21:00 - Pokemon Center - Umbreon 22:10 - Dream Job - at Pokemon 22:51 - The Inner Working - Pokemon Brand Control 23:23 - Pokemon - Worked on. ++++ 24:40 - Working on Toys for the Detective Pikachu Movie 26:00 - Wicked Cool Toys ++++ - Cabbage Pack Kids - 26:30 - Licensor - are the Pokemon Company 27:00 - 3 Pokemon Designers and now 10 - Fast Growth - Halo and MicroMachine 28:00 - Digital Sculpting - and Sculpting Houses 29:00 - Pokemon Favourite - Character to Design 30:00 - Designing San Diego Pokemon Exclusive 34:00 - How long does it take to design a Pokemon 34:50 - Designing Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle 36:00 - Wining - Singing Jiggly Puff 41:00 - Collectors Item only 43:00 - Power Action Pikachu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9HFQpMtHRc More toys from Wicked Cool Toys https://www.wickedcooltoys.com/brands/pokemon/ Check out Molly’s Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mollywak/
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Judith Glover from RMIT University who is one of the lead innovators and key members of the design team working with us on our Deliciously Disabled sex toy project. We talk about how she became involved and interested in sex toy design, how you create great sex toys, how sexuality and disability is a human right, and we explore what the future of sex tech and disability might look like. Enjoy!You can follow Judith's work by heading over to dashi.rmitidsites.net.au/Be sure to support our sponsors:Get 15% off any purchase at Come As You Are Co-op Sex Shop, by using coupon code "afterdark".Buy a #DisabledPeopleAreHot tee shirt, and support the movement here https://store.podcastjukebox.org/collections/disabled-people-are-hotYou can get 50% off almost any item in store at www.adameve.com and 10 FREE GIFTS by using DARKPOD at check out!Also, support Disability After Dark by pledging to the patreon. www.patreon.com/disabilityafterdark
Prof Stefania Druga is an Adjunct Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, RI, USA) in Industrial Design. Her research interests include artificial intelligence education. The blog post for this episode can be found at prof-talks.com.
Reggie FIls-Aime announces his retirement from Nintendo - with Doug Bowser, riep and waiting in the wings, ready to swoop in and make the company his after years of losing to Mario...! Join Ayro and DaQs as we explore the history of his contributions to the company, how Nintendo of America has navigated the murky waters - perhaps handed to them by their home-base overlords? - and reminisce on the good times that Nintendo has brought us. (Project Rainfall, we didn't forget you!) *TIME CODES 0:0:45 - Waiting Room Chatter! 0:1:2 - Path of Exile New League - Synthesis - 3.6 Hype Patch! 0:1:26 - Reggie Announces his Retirement! 0:1:49 - Ayro's History with Nintendo! 0:3:20 - The GameCube! 0:7:48 - Reggie and the ""New"" Image for Nintendo! 0:9:42 - Nintendo and the Concept of ""Toy Design""! 0:17:24 - The Beauty of Wii! 0:20:55 - The Release of the Nintendo DS! 0:26:34 - Reggie Then and Now! 0:27:41 - The Ambassador Program! 0:28:21 - How did NOA Flip Us on the 3DS?! 0:31:4 - Project Rainfall! 0:32:4 - The Switch On for Nintendo! 0:39:15 - The Switch's Marketing as a Group and On-the-Go Experience! Welcome to Post Call Gaming's GRAND ROUNDS! This is our regular podcast where we talk about some of the latest news coming out of the video game industry and give it our own personal differential diagnosis. * WHO ARE YOU GUYS? Post Call Gaming is a group of friends who just love to play and talk about video games - even when they're post-call. Join us on stream and laugh along with us as we stumble through some of our favorite games, both new and old! * WHEN ARE YOU GUYS ON TO STREAM? It depends on the guys' schedule, but our most regular and consistent stream time is MONDAYS-THURSDAYS 9 PM EST, and occasional streams on SUNDAY 9 PM EST. You can always get the latest updates by subscribing to our Google Calendar here!: https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cG9zdGNhbGxnYW1pbmdAZ21haWwuY29t * WHERE CAN WE WATCH YOU? Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/postcallgaming Smashcast: http://www.smashcast.tv/postcallgaming Mixer: http://mixer.com/postcallgaming StreamMe: http://stream.me/postcallgaming * HOW CAN WE REACH YOU? Follow us at: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/postcallgaming Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/postcallgaming
Today I have Suhasini Paul with us on Audiogyan. An eminent toy designer, post graduate of National Institute of Design (NID) with her specialization in Toys and Children products. Suhasini is also an Electrical engineer and has done Management Program for Women Entrepreneurs (MPWE 2016) from IIM, Bangalore. She designs the surprise toys found inside Kinder Joy for Indian / global market, sport toys for Disney, India and break-time play things for ITC Foods. You can find her entire bio on pualstudio.in. Today we are here to discuss nuances of Toy Design in India. 1. What are the various aspects of toy design? What are the steps while designing a toy? (can do as much technical as you want) 2. What are psychological considerations while you are designing a toy? 3. How important is material a factor while designing toys? Which material is predominantly used for making toys at least in India? Why? 4. Tell us about your experience in designing surprise toys for kinder joy. 5. How do you see future of physical toys when the world Is going digital?
My friend Dave Schultze has created an exciting new game called Gridopolis. As an industrial designer, he has developed products for Microsoft, LG, Umbra, and Hasbro. He has won multiple industrial design awards and his work has been recognized in media coverage worldwide. In 2001 he began teaching in the Toy Design department at Otis College of Art and Design focusing on 3D visualization. His Bachelors in Architecture and Masters in Industrial Design contribute to giving his game a unique look, gameplay and expandability. https://www.gridopolis.games/ In this discussion we cover the similarities between architecture and industrial design. He shares with us his experience as a toy design teacher and we discuss the origin of Gridopolis - both the game design and the rule set development. Dave gives us the play-by-play breakdown of how he took his game concept from a sketch to a finished product and how he is prepping for a successful Kickstarter! We also discuss the importance of building great relationships along any product development journey. BONUS: 1. Leave a good review, 2. email me at design@philalbritton.com and 3. WIN a FREE Gridopolis Starter Set! Thank you for joining us and enjoy the show!
Adi Granov has a career which is an artist's dream - from being named one of the touted Marvel "Young Gunz" in 2005, to being hand picked by John Favereau to be a concept and key artist on 2008's Iron Man movie, Adi's career covers Comic Books, Game design, Toy Design and Movies. In this podcast he discusses his career as well as the reason why he believes the MCU is experiencing more success than others. The BoxOfficeArtist Podcast is co-hosted by James Raiz, owner of the youtube channel, http://www.youtube.com/theboxofficeartist who has worked 17 years as a professional artist, starting off as a comic book artist working for Marvel, DC & Image Comics, then as a 3D Modeler, Digital Matte Painter & Concept Artist on major Hollywood Films such as Watchmen, Percy Jackson & Fast & Furious 7. It is also co-hosted by Jonathan Encaracion who has worked as a comic book insider, writer and reviewer for various Comic Websites. This podcasts is for amature and professional artists in any art field, or for anyone who has any interest in art.
Val Staples, Nate Baertsch and Rob Base are back to discuss He-Man and She-Ra. In this episode they are joined by Four Horsemen's Eric Treadaway as they discuss Toy Fair 2017 prep, 2016 ramps up then ramps down, speed of production, tooling and time, tooling cost, common factory errors, scale of toy versus cost, Ultimate Editions (UE), one UE piece Eric wanted, UE packaging, deciding part combinations for UE, what constitutes an UE, Collectors' Choice & Club Grayskull teasers, He-Man.Org 2018 figure polls, legacy of the Four Horsemen, Power-Con exclusives, Mythic Legions, what made ML click, Nate's card art, Mythic Legions 2.0 Kickstarter, female ML figures, weapons packs, beast waves, trolls, and much more! Intro/Outro info: none Another fan contribution are episode wallpapers and backgrounds, created by Matt Tyree also know as Tyree on the forums. Matt is commercial illustrator who you can find out more about at www.tyreeonline.com Also, don't forget the Roast Gooble Dinner iPhone App, which is great for organizing and downloading current and past episodes. Click here to get yours today! And if you have a comment or a question, please call us at (310) 933-5993 or at our Skype account "roastgooble" and leave a voicemail (in Skype, please go to Call Phones and enter roastgooble as the phone number and dial in. Please do not add roastgooble to your contact list as we won't accept the request. Sorry!) We'll try to work your voicemail into the show, so please call! Otherwise, you can e-mail us at gooble (at) he-man (dot) org. One or more of the hosts will read your e-mail on the show. Please keep e-mails short and sweet! So pull up your chair and fill up your plate! It's time to chow down on a tasty serving of fandom here on He-Man.org's Roast Gooble Dinner! Recorded on January 11, 2017 Runtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes, 29 seconds
In this episode, we get to chat with artist, toy designer and DTA Hall of Famer, Jeremy Madl. We talk about his work in commercial toys, what keeps the MadL at the forefront of designer toys and everything in between. More notes on this episode can be found at http://thenerdlys.com/2016/11/15/episode-86-jeremy-madl You can find Jeremy at the following links http://instagram.com/madtoydesign http://facebook.com/madtoydesign http://madtoystore.com Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback by messaging us on Facebook or emailing us at contact@thenerdlys.com If you would like to support our podcast and help with our costs please consider donating during our Twitch streams or via Ko-Fi. https://ko-fi.com/thenerdlys We'd really appreciate if you leave feedback for our little show on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher also. Thanks!
Val Staples, Danielle Gelehrter, "Pixel Dan" Eardley and Eamon O'Donoghue are back to discuss He-Man and She-Ra.In this episode we discussMOTUC Castle Grayskull,Power-Con,Danielle Benedict,William George,TMNT,variety shows,Power Tour,Meg Foster,Jack and Leslie Wadsworth,Anthony DeLongis,Larry Kenney,John Carroll's fan films,Gary Goddard,1987 movie tidbits,MOTU newspaper strips,Legend of Toy Design panel,Grayskull Con,Brian Dobson,success of Power-Con,charity auctionand much more!Intro/Outro info:none Another fan contribution are episode wallpapers and backgrounds, created by Matt Tyree also know as Tyree on the forums. Matt is commercial illustrator who you can find out more about at www.tyreeonline.com Also, don't forget the Roast Gooble Dinner iPhone App, which is great for organizing and downloading current and past episodes. Click here to get yours today! And if you have a comment or a question, please call us at (310) 933-5993 or at our Skype account "roastgooble" and leave a voicemail (in Skype, please go to Call Phones and enter roastgooble as the phone number and dial in. Please do not add roastgooble to your contact list as we won't accept the request. Sorry!) We'll try to work your voicemail into the show, so please call! Otherwise, you can e-mail us at gooble (at) he-man (dot) org. One or more of the hosts will read your e-mail on the show. Please keep e-mails short and sweet! So pull up your chair and fill up your plate! It's time to chow down on a tasty serving of fandom here on He-Man.org's Roast Gooble Dinner! Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes, 59 seconds
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