ERIC@INSIDIOUS1.COM

Objective

A position that utilizes my abilities to design, write, illustrate and generate creative ideas and solutions while collaborating with and guiding a team to accomplish our goals on budget and on schedule.

Experience

2004-2006 RC2 Brands, Inc. Oakbrook, IL
IP Creation • January '06

• Created new IPs for Johnny Lightning including "Lightning Wheels," story bible, animatics, and character/vehicle illustrations.
• Worked with writers and animators to develop the storylines, episodes, and final designs.

Marketing Manager • January '06
• Devised new product directions based on vast toy and game knowledge as well as current trend and specialized research.
• Immersed in toy, game, boy, and entertainment industry trends.
• Sought out new properties to be developed into toys.
• Conducted focus groups to test concepts with consumers.
• Worked with sales force to develop products for mass market retailers.

Commercial & Sizzle Film Writer/Storyboard Artist/Animator • January '06
• Created first animatic for LW cartoon.
• Wrote, storyboarded, and oversaw shooting and editing commercials and sizzle films.

Team Leader/Product Designer (Johnny Lightning Toy Team) • January '06
• Created and oversaw development of toy lines including concepts, play mechanics, tooling, deco, and packaging.
• Led team from brainstorming to execution of all required components.
• Presented concepts and direction to upper management and sales force.

Product Manager/Designer (Johnny Lightning "Pop Culture" SKU) • May '04
• Created new themes and executed over 100 vehicle styles, deco, packaging (including copy).
• Created turnarounds of products for production and oversaw new tooling models.
• Presented and illustrated new themes to upper management and sales force.
• Designed and dressed Toy Fair showrooms.
• Created dynamic new packaging within budgetary and manufacturing constraints.
• Coordinated approvals with licensors and production with overseas factories.

2001-2003 Rehtmeyer Design & Licensing Naperville, IL
Product Development / Designer / Writer

• Developed and created new toy and board game concepts and presented them to clients and toy company executives. • Designed final artwork and packaging. • Worked closely with vendors. • Researched targeted category trends, synthesized results, and presented them to team • Led Brainstorming Sessions • Wrote product line strategies and specs • Wrote character bibles, product text, and game/assembly instructions • Wrote sell sheet text and promotional copy • Led play testing sessions • Evaluated inventor products and wrote comprehensive evaluations.

1999-2001 itoons Chicago, IL
Video Game Designer

• Brainstormed game ideas. • Illustrated, wrote descriptions for, and presented concepts to clients. • Developed game play mechanics. • Illustrated game screens. • Wrote game play scripts and storyboards. • Illustrated storyboards • 3-D modeled game graphics • Created and processed final game art.

Producer
• Guided artists, animators, programmers, sound designers from initial concept to gold. • Created asset lists. • Communicated with clients regularly. • Produced schedules. • Managed approval process.

1997-1999 Rollingstone.com/Tunes.com/ TheSource.Com/JamTV.com/ DownbeatJazz.com. Chicago, IL
Web Designer
• Designed promotional web pages, websites, banners, and animations for top musical acts. • Worked closely with Art Director, PR, and clients.

1996-1997 Comico Comics Chicago, IL
• Writer, Art Assistant, Public Relations Manager.

Computer Skills

PC and Mac OSX
Photoshop; Illustrator; Fireworks; Dreamweaver; Flash; Sound Forge; Powerpoint; Acrobat; Windows; Microsoft Word; Extreme 3D; Animation Master.

Education

1992-1996 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
• B.A., English Major (Creative Writing Concentration), Studio Art Minor.
• Dean's List, 1993, 1994, 1995.
• Attended Loyola's Rome Center, Spring 1995.

Interests

Drawing, fiction writing, custom toys, prop-making, comics, toys, video games, board games, basketball, karate, science fiction, and anime.

References and Portfolio

Available Upon Request.

Click here to download a zipped .pdf of my resume

ERIC@INSIDIOUS1.COM