HOW Design Live is 58 days away, but who’s counting? To give you a preview of what you’ll see in Atlanta, we’re sitting down with some of our esteemed speakers to chat about their sessions. This week, we talk with Vanessa Dewey, Art Director for Toy Packaging at Mattel. Vanessa will give us insight about working at one of the most well known brands in the world, Mattel.
TC: What do you think that the simple act of opening a new toy can teach everyone about design?
VD: Design is functional storytelling. First, the toy package is a vessel that protects the toy. Beyond that, through the structure, shape and graphics, the toy package creates a story that takes the child into the toy’s world.
TC: Where do you turn when you need inspiration to defy conventional thinking?
VD: I’ve always harbored a genuine curiosity of pushing boundaries and looking below the surface to find inspiration. There is no specific place that I can say, “That’s where I turn to.” I’m always looking– From reading about non-conventional historical figures (Right now I’m reading about Catherine the Great) to simply taking a run and absorbing my environs.
TC: What do you enjoy most about designing in-house with Mattel?
VD: By having this connectivity, you get to learn about the whole process of the development cycle so you can ultimately approach each product with a holistic approach.
