First, can you tell us your current title and summarize your day-to-day responsibilities?
My official title is Product Design Manager, but when asked out in the world what I do I enjoy telling people simply that I design Star Wars toys – which gets a great reaction but it is indeed a main part of what I do! Overall, I am currently responsible for developing and bringing to life a variety of consumer products including toys, plush, pins, and collectibles for all of our Lucasfilm properties (primarily Star Wars) for our global Disney Parks and Stores. Every day is a little bit different, but a typical day could include sketching and presenting new product concepts, testing a prototype, reviewing sculpts and artwork, and discussing which character’s lightsaber we should make next.
How does your role fit within your larger team/department?
I am a part of our very small, extremely talented Lucasfilm Product Development team who are all responsible for the creating the amazing products sold around the world for our vertical and licensing business. If you have purchased a Star Wars product of any kind, someone on our team played a major part in creating that!
When did you start at the company, and in what role?
I started in 2015 as a Designer on this very same team, focused solely on our licensed toy business. At first, I played a major support role during the resurgence of the brand when The Force Awakens was about to hit theaters. As we had fans clamoring for any product they could get their hands on, we were there to make that happen for them.