Rurik Tyler

Senior Design Manager for the Boys Toys Division. Handling design duties for vehicle toys - diecast, plastic, and RC cars (Fast Lane), action figures and role play (True Heroes), animal figures and accessories (Animal Planet). Together, these three brands generate over $190MM year over year. Occasionally designing for the Toys R Us bicycle, sporting goods, and toy-tool lines as well. Duties include: Brainstorming and Ideation. Working with groups or alone, collecting ideas and trend analysis to focus loose concepts into viable product ideas. Creating concepts sketches which are fast and rough but remain appealing. Product Optimization. Ensuring new products are on-trend, fun, and offer great value to families. Handling product planning, technical control drawings, model troubleshooting, final deco, print-ready label sheets and product refresh strategies. Working hands-on whenever needed. Talent Coordination. Hiring Assistant Design Managers who could provide high-level skills in crucial areas, working with outside freelancers, and getting granular to ensure multiple projects progressed daily with partners across several time zones. Partnership Exploration. Identifying viable product lines when Toys R Us considered collaborations with other companies. Proposals created for : a Fischer-Price Learn To Swim Program, a Reebok Jr. Line of sports toys, and an M.I.T. sponsorship-inspired line of Tabeo computer-tablet accessories.

I worked as an illustrator, writer, and toy designer for a variety of clients in New York, with the common thread of producing energetic, often light hearted material for teen and pre-teen markets. Clients included: Colgate Education Marketing (JMH Marketing), SeaWorld and Busch Gardens (William Morris), K-Nex and Stratego (Griffin Bacal Advertising), Marvel Comics, DC Comics, The Cracked Portfolio of Magazines, and several start-up periodicals.My toy work was for Matchbox, The Phoenix Design Group, Toy Biz, and Toys R Us. (I was the head designer for all of Matchbox’s “Monster In My Pocket” figurines, at the same time I was the cover artist for the Cracked Monster Party Magazines. I was able to combine the two into a one man show at the Museum Of Cartoon Art In Rye New York (fun!)).