Andrew Maximilian Blanch

Toy Design/ Senior Product Manager / Content Writer

London, United Kingdom

Available Now

Follow
Contact

About
Portfolio
Stream

About

Detail oriented problem-solver who loves to create engaging and empowering experiences through toys. Highly skilled in both developing content and designing products which celebrate and bring brands to life. My years abroad in education and management have honed my ability to communicate and inspire verbally and electronically. Available for freelance assignments, collaborations, contracting or a full time position at the right company.
Education
- BA Toy Design
  
  Fashion Institute of Technology
  
  1999
- AA Display & Exhibit Design
  
  Fashion Institute of Technology
  
  1997
Experience
- Freelance Toy Design and Devolopment
  
  Self-Employed
  
  London, United Kingdom
  
  Jul 2019 - Present (1 year 9 months)
- Senior Product Development Manager
  
  Snap! Toys
  
  Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  
  May 2017 - Jul 2019 (2 years 2 months)
  
  - Created, managed, & scripted new feature plush brand, Snuggle 'n Hug Friends.
  - Orchestrated development on our Star Wars feature items to ensure key deadlines were met.
  - Took charge of redesigning our Sesame Street brand resulting in quicker approval rounds and fewer development cycles.
  - Reconciled communication rift between Chinese vendor & US design team for the preschool construction brand BOTS.
  - Expedited production and made on-the-spot decisions during frequent travel to China factories, material vendors & the Snap Design Studio.
  - Cost-engineered and redesigned the Party-Jammies play sets to achieve more favorable price points.
  - Conceptualized a nostalgic Ewok line which delighted client resulting in evergreen line expansions.
- Product Development Manager
  
  Snap! Toys
  
  Fort Lauderdale, FL
  
  Aug 2015 - May 2017 (1 year 9 months)
  
  - Created and developed 3 new brands for 2017.
  - Collaborated with Marketing team to create brand and character names, package copy and story.
  - Traveled to 5 factories in China over 2 weeks to finalize new brands and win critical Disney bids.
  - Sent to Vietnam to expedite months of development into one week and meet crucial deadline.
  - Creative Director of packaging, leading both in house and freelance talent.
  - Design liaison with the Jim Henson Company for educational brand, "Word Party".
  - Daily collaboration with Hong Kong for sourcing and cost engineering.
- Design Manager/ Product Development Manager
  
  Snap! Toys
  
  Fort Lauderdale, FL
  
  Jul 2014 - Aug 2015 (1 year 1 month)
  
  - Created and developed plush prehistoric preschool line, "Thunder Stompers" now in its 6th year of steady sales.
  - Expedited long-gestating production of collectible line, "Lil' Butters" resulting in my promotion.
  - Recruited and managed a talented team of 10 off-site packaging, graphic and concept designers.
  - Lead company wide brainstorm sessions which resulted in new feature plush concepts and brands.
  - Improved in-house design team's communication methods with overseas colleagues.
  - Sought by CEO as a consultant on company wide restructuring plan for Fall 2015.
- Senior Designer Licensed Brands
  
  Snap! Toys
  
  Fort Lauderdale, FL
  
  Apr 2012 - Jul 2014 (2 years 3 months)
  
  - Conceptualized and produced plush and plastic toys for licenses such as Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Sanrio and Universal.
  - Created concise style guides and spec packages for vendors which resulted in fewer development rounds.
  - Directed Design and Engineering Teams in Hong Kong and Vietnam on a daily basis.
  - Improved communication standards and design brief templates during extensive business trips to our Hong Kong office.
  - Traveled to Vietnam, Guangzhou and Shanghai factories to help expedite production for new bids.
- Independent Toy Designer / Content Developer
  
  Self-Employed
  
  Aug 2011 - Apr 2012 (8 months)
  
  - Conceptualized & planned gameplay for Sesame Street iPhone/iPad app peripherals.
  - Developed toys & curriculum for a line of ESL toys for the Chinese market.
  - Designed collectable mini-doll lines, playsets & brand extensions for an inventor group.
- Contracted Chief Designer: Licensed Electronic Learning
  
  Hasbro
  
  Jun 2010 - Aug 2011 (1 year 2 months)
  
  - Created and managed development of the Sesame Street "Steps to School" ELA line.
  - Wrote and planned content, curriculum, scripts, logic patterns and songs for the "Steps to School" brand.
  - Acted as Design Liaison between Hasbro and the Sesame Street Workshop.
  - Directed recordings of Sesame Street voice talent in NYC to ensure our toys were accurately brought to life.
  - Chosen as Team presenter during quarterly company-wide line reviews. A role rarely, if ever, assigned to on-site contractors.
  - Managed outside prototype vendors, content providers and Far East development teams.
  - Collaborated closely with Engineering and Marketing Teams.
  - Consistently invited to consult and brainstorm with the Sesame Street Preschool and Pre-Cool Spider-Man teams.
- Senior Instructor
  
  Kids Island International Preschool
  
  Setagaya, Japan
  
  Nov 2007 - Mar 2010 (2 years 4 months)
  
  - Taught English, Counting, Science and Manners to children ages 2-5 through highly interactive lessons which involved songs, dancing, games and fitness.
  - Pioneered the “After School" program which taught advanced reading and writing skills to elementary school children.
  - Pioneered "Young Preschool" class for children aged 20 months and up.
  - Developed and scripted plays for After School Program students to showcase English prowess.
  - Designed and constructed props and environments to enhance lessons
- Manager of Instructors/ Nova Kids Coordinator
  
  Nova Language School
  
  Shinjuku-ku, Japan
  
  Nov 2002 - Oct 2007 (4 years 11 months)
  
  - Managed diverse international staff of English instructors.
  - Conducted appraisals and follow up training for new and veteran instructors.
  - Planned and led off-site training sessions for up to 20 instructors from area schools.
  - Acted as liaison between Japanese staff, central management office and international instructors. - Created a fun, supportive and relaxed learning environment which increased attendance numbers and student satisfaction.
  - Pioneered VOICE Nights, themed activity environments where students of all levels had a chance to practice and use English in realistic situations.
  - Implemented the CHIBIKO program, a highly interactive and musical class for 2yos and their mothers. Taught students from a variety of backgrounds, English ability & interest range ages 2 to 82.
  - Created tools, games and activities for Nova Kids classes and trained instructors in classroom management skills.
- Chief Designer: Infant and Preschool Brands
  
  VTech LLC
  
  Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  
  Jul 1999 - Jun 2002 (2 years 11 months)
  
  - Created and managed all aspects of the "Soft Sensations" brand, a safari themed infant line combining plush, plastic and reggae music.
  - Selected by Senior Management to be Design Lead for Preschool and Toddler committees during biannual international reviews in Macau.
  - Relocated to Hong Kong to better manage production in China and to provide guidance and creative direction to Hong Kong design teams.
  - Developed and designed Toddler and Preschool brand style guides and color palettes.
  - Sent to VTech France and VTech UK head offices to meet with local Sales and Marketing Teams to help unify brand styles and objectives.
Industries
Skills
Elsewhere on the Web
- n
On Coroflot

@andrewmaxb, member since 2011
- Following 45
- Followers 55

Disney-Marvel-Pixar-Star Wars

Disney-Marvel-Pixar-Star Wars from Andrew Maximilian Blanch

Disney-Marvel-Pixar-Star Wars

Plush designs for various Theme Parks and Stores. The goal is to achieve a happy balance between cost and character integrity.

Star Wars 12" Yoda Plush for the Disney Store

Talking Wicket

Hear the drummer get Wicket! (Actually, this is Brethupp but you get it.)
Client was so happy with the Wicket that they requested as many Ewok concepts as I could come up with. This was the first one that sprang to mind and I was shocked when they said yes. Plays the Ewok celebration tunes when you press the helmet.

Pixar's Monsters University: Mike Plush

Pixar's Monsters University: Terri and Terry Plush

Pixar's Monsters University: Art Plush

Pixar's Monsters University: Archie Plush

Pose-able SPIDER-MAN Plush:
I redesigned the company's previous plush as I felt it's head was too round and it's body too bulky. (It had weird sculpted abs up to it's neck as well...)
This one is more lithe like in the comics.

Client's original toy was Scooby in a giant hamburger. I suggested this form as more collectible.

Stitch 14" Plush

9" Cinderella Minnie Mouse (Minnierella?) Plush for Disney Theme Parks

Darth Vader! And Wicket! And your favorite, Chewie. They're all here!

"How did we get into this mess? We seem to be made to suffer."

Yoda, Darth Vader, C-3PO, Wicket the Ewok, R2-D2, Stormtrooper, Chewbacca the Wookie.

The Sith on the Shelf.

o

Disney-Marvel-Pixar-Star Wars

Plush designs for various Theme Parks and Stores. The goal is to achieve a happy balance between cost and character integrity.

Product Design

Share

R
7
n

Available

Freelance, Full-time, Moonlighting

Andrew Maximilian Blanch

Toy Design/ Senior Product Manager / Content Writer London, United Kingdom