Matt Mance

Lead Product Designer responsible for concepting a multitude of toys for the Grin Studios brand. Major retail clients include Target, Walmart, Meijer, Dollar Tree, and Big Lots.

Responsible for concepting and creating original character designs for Jellie Buddies, Squasherz, Melty Monsters, Tinsel Squishees, Ribbitzz, and Spaghetti Taco.

- Created original illustrations for packaging, sticker sheets, New York Toy Fair banners, and product decos.
- Completed orthographic views across all products lines, aiding in manufacturing.
- Assisted in brand packaging refresh across entire product line.
- Reported directly to Senior Director of Product Management.

• Responsible for creating various instructional layouts for slot machines.
• Aid multiple design studios with various graphic design, animation, and game assets.
• Pitch original slot machine concept ideas.

Primary responsibilities involved creating art assets and mechanics for slot machine games.

• Designed primary logos for slot machine games.
• Created slot machine icons in cartoony and realistic styles.
• Designed and modeled 3D icons and various game elements.
• Concepted initial proposal illustrations for games based on popular thematic trends.
• Reported directly to Senior Software Engineer / Project Manager.

Responsibilities included concept sketching, digital rendering, and final presentation design for a variety of toy and premium items. Major clients include Burger King, Hasbro, Mattel, Disney, Kellogg’s, Corona, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Cointreau, Mike's Hard Lemonade, and Remy Martin.

• Designed presentations layouts for Burger King concept pitches.
• Designed websites for Burger King franchises to purchase Kid's Meal Toys.
• Designed infographics for Surge Innovations website, illustrating work flow processes.
• Rendered images of high-end consumer promotional products and packaging.
• Created printer-ready vector art for a wide array of promotional products.
• Recruited, managed, and supervised freelance designers.
• Recruited, trained, and mentored Creative Department interns.
• Reported directly to Senior Creative Director.

Responsibilities included generating orthographic views, deco plans, and functional drawings that translate concept art into functional, aesthetic, and safe toys for international distribution.

• Created orthographic drawings of Burger King Kid's Meal toys.
• Created PMS color specification drawings using vector art and freeform models.
• Generated instructional illustrations to aid in production processes for Hong Kong manufacturers.
• Reported directly to Director of Industrial Design.

Educational Insights - Gardena, CA
• Lead character artist for best-selling educational toy series "The Talking, Teaching Pen". Characters designed included Ace the Dog, Kat the Cat, Ollie the Owl, and Pete the Cat.

Pbd Associates - Chicago, IL
• Concepted cartoon bear characters to assist in promoting a new kid's brand of Bear Creek Pasta.
• Worked directly with Art Director under tight deadline to execute a fun, appealing character which enhanced the brand.
• Final packaging delivered nationwide throughout grocery stores.

Planet Fassa - Naperville, IL
• Lead concept artist for children’s interactive website.
• Designed numerous original animal illustrations via traditional and digital mediums.
• Designed original brand logo.

United Pet Group - Blacksburg, VA
• Concepted a series of original plush dog toys.
• Created vector cartoon dog characters for various promotional media.

Creata Promotions - Sydney, Australia
• Assisted Creative Team with brainstorming, concept sketching, final line art, and digital rendering on a variety of licensed premiums. Major clients included McDonald’s and General Mills.

Radar Studios - Chicago, IL
• Created original character concept for a McDonald's Groundhog’s Day promotional commercial.

Created and designed confectionery premiums and products. Digital and traditional mediums implemented on confectionery product and packaging concepts. Major clients included Hershey, Nestle, and Dairy Queen.

• Visualized and rendered fun, practical bathroom accessories for Disney's The Incredibles.
• Concepted original plush Easter Bunny characters for in-pack Nestle promotional items.
• Designed various “Screw Ups” taffy dispenser concepts and illustrations for label and packaging.

• Visualized designs for clients such as McDonald's, Disney, General Mills, and Hasbro.
• Worked from concept to final product renderings using both traditional and digital media.