Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
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Erich Weidetz

Summary

Accomplished Senior Design Director with a proven track record at Mattel & Jakks Pacific of enhancing brand recognition through innovative design and integrating strategic brand guidelines. I excel at training and mentoring all levels of designers, significantly improving team productivity and fostering accountability. Skilled in translating emerging trends into cutting-edge products and demonstrating a deep understanding of the toy industry. Natural leader with 19 years of experience leading successful and talented design teams.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Design Director

Jakks Pacific
06.2022 - Current
  • Directed Design for the Boys Innovation team which focused on creating products, both simple and complex, that looked to disrupt various toy categories
  • Worked on successful lines of toys for brands including Sonic the Hedgehog, Nintendo, Black & Decker and The Simpsons
  • Developed a new stream of revenue by creating a Games Division and was Lead Design for 7 strategic boardgames


Design Director

Jakks Pacific
10.2019 - 06.2022
  • Paramount in training and mentoring new talent at all levels
  • Designed new IP Action Figure line from the ground up by creating original patented mechanisms and generating original character design and story for animation
  • Facilitated the creation of the first 3D Design and Print department that resulted in drastically reducing outside spending on vendor work
  • Fostered close working relationships with engineering partners and factories in Hong Kong


Design Manager

Mattel - Action Play
06.2014 - 10.2019
  • Managed the Minecraft brand for 5 years that added $100M of incremental business that continues today
  • Cultivated key relationships with Mojang and Microsoft to ensure that successful product lines were developed on time and at cost


Senior Designer

Mattel - Games
01.2010 - 06.2014
  • Spearheaded pitch that acquired the Minecraft license
  • Created and developed lines of action figures, games, plush and collectables
  • Designer of the Matty Award "Game of the Year" with innovative game Loopz


Designer

Mattel - Barbie
06.2008 - 01.2010
  • Developed technology enhanced items for the Barbie
  • Lead Design for the "Toy of the Year" nominee Barbie Video Girl


Associate Designer

Mattel - Girls
06.2005 - 06.2008
  • Designed successful lines of Girls Electronics including Pixel Chix, MyMeebas and Fijit


Associate Designer

Mattel - Games
04.2005 - 05.2006
  • Designed games under the brands of UNO, Apples to Apples and Othello

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Toy Design

Otis College of Art And Design
Los Angeles, CA
06.2005

Skills

  • Proficient at Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Powerpoint and Excel
  • Experience designing for Action Figures, Games, Electronics, Collectables and Girls Design
  • Adept at team leadership and mentoring
  • Skilled at innovation, drawing, brainstorming and conducting trend research
  • Deep knowledge of methods and materials of manufacturing
  • Excellent pitch and presentation skills
  • Licensor coordination for $100m brands

References

Scott Derman - VP of Boys Design for Spin Master - 310.804.6050


Tyler Kenney - Director of Hot Wheel design for Mattel - 310.493.1404


Ele Kim Carmeli - Director of Development Resources at Jakks Pacific - 626.537.7073

Timeline

Senior Design Director

Jakks Pacific
06.2022 - Current

Design Director

Jakks Pacific
10.2019 - 06.2022

Design Manager

Mattel - Action Play
06.2014 - 10.2019

Senior Designer

Mattel - Games
01.2010 - 06.2014

Designer

Mattel - Barbie
06.2008 - 01.2010

Associate Designer

Mattel - Girls
06.2005 - 06.2008

Associate Designer

Mattel - Games
04.2005 - 05.2006

Bachelor of Arts - Toy Design

Otis College of Art And Design

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Erich Weidetz