Carlos Mendoza III

SPENCERS / SPIRIT HALLOWEEN 2020 – Current
Art Director, Hardlines – Mask, Weapons, Horror Décor, License Décor, Animatronics


• Responsible for updating aesthetics – including overseeing conceptualization and development processes – across all Halloween products in the License and generic Halloween décor category resulting in brand expansions and incremental add-ons
• Despite in-person activities being at an all-time low during the pandemic, our division achieved unprecedented success contributing to Spirit reaching over $2 billion in 2022
• Manage team of 10 Designers on hardlines and licensed decor across three subdivisions
• Coordinate and sync initiatives with Softline’s team (Costumes), Packaging, In Store Experience team (ISE) and other cross-functional departments
• Oversight on design of animatronics’ new looks, motions, scripts and audio implementation
• Lead Creative in License style guide development for Killer Klowns requiring the building assets from the ground-up including defining character poses, PMS guides and more – this effort was recognized by an award from Licensor (MGM) in 2022
• Focus on team growth through mentoring, teaching new art techniques and process to create an organized and efficient workflow
• Grew interdepartmental rapport and skill sets through ‘Lunch & Learn’ forums
• Partner outreach at industry-wide haunt events to expand vendor and supplier network
• Key licenses include: Universal Monsters, Disney’s Haunted Mansion, Chucky, Halloween, Fortnite, Killer Klowns, Ghostface, Exorcist and Trick r’ Treat to name a few.

Supervising 5 Senior Designers
Job Duties and Capabilities include:
• Oversee the design and development of the entire Jakks Seasonal division
• Create new and innovative outdoor toys and games
• Oversee the development seasonal interactive game development
• Work closely with HK team in all aspects of design and product development
• Meet with licensors to present new innovative and creative products
• Art Direct art department to keep consistent look within the brands
• In charge of cost reduction of new production concepts and prototypes
• Coordinate with sales, merchandising and production team to maximize profitability through value engineering
• Develop special programs for key retailers

Brands: Maisto Tech/ RCs, diecast, Burrago, and Fresh Metal line. Job Duties and Capabilities include:
• Develop product for new IP and continue existing brand expansion
• Conceptual design and development for new product
• Dynamic illustrations for toy package and show presentation
• Graphic design
• Package and Logo design
• Assist director with artistic and visual development of the creative team

Working close with Leading toy companies, on their core brands. Clients: Marvel, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, RideMakerz, Spin Master, Sky Rocket Toys, Nkok.
Brands: Angry Birds, Slug Terra, MXS, Power Trains, Fly Wheels, Illumivors, and decals/graphics for Ridemakerz products.
Job Duties and Capabilities include:
• Conceptual design
• Illustrations
• Product design
• Graphic design
• Logo design
• Art Direction

Job Duties and Capabilities include:
• Creator of Battle Machines Concept game play
• Work closely with freelance artists and Hong Kong team
• Oversee the graphics and design for core brand Battle Machines and die-cast
• Develop new and innovative concept designs for brand expansion
• Design turnarounds for our vehicle concepts
• Develop quick colored concepts for new toy ideas
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to create presentation boards for line reviews
• Art Direction

Job Duties and Capabilities include:
• Establish a interactive experience with Bakugan Dimensions free-to-play MMO and other online products
• Developed a solid knowledge of how online games are developed
• Responsible for creating character designs, world maps, illustrations and textures for Tech Deck Live
• Worked on environment concepts, designed posters and stickers for the Marketing team’s advertisement initiatives
• Worked with Bakugan Dimensions online game
• Character design
• Storyboard for battle scene animations and character movements
• Illustrations for battle cards needed for online play

Job Duties and Capabilities include:
• Responsible for the graphics on die-cast lines and the ‘look and feel’ of each brand