PERSONAL HISTORY

Kenneth W. MannPORTFOLIO

Artist-Illustrator-Industrial Designer

©2010 KENNETH MANN All Rights Reserved.

Originally a computer network engineer of 10+ years, Kenneth decided to return to school at age 32 so that he could explore his passion for creativity and design. Looking to put his skills and desires to good use, he happened upon the Toy Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology while working for a fashion company in Manhattan. Toy design was a good fit for him since it combined his skills as an engineer, his love for children and their needs, along with his passion for art and design.

Upon graduating with honors in both Illustration and Toy design from F.I.T., Kenneth found a start with SDI Technologies/KIDdesign Inc. in Rahway, NJ. There, he strengthened his foundational skills and developed toy products under the Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher Price and Playskool brand names. His background in computers and programming helped the KIDdesign division expand on there already popular line of toys by bringing a new level of technology to the play experience. By aiding in the development of LCD graphical interfaces, a new line of role play toys was successfully started. In addition, he took the initiative to improve upon already existing technologies. His skills however were not limited to toy design. He was able to use his abilities as a designer to explore consumer electronics development under the Timex and Zenith licensed brand names.

After 2+ years of working for them, he was offered a position with Tara Toy Corporation in Hauppauge, NY as a senior level designer. Here he broadened his experiences by getting involved with a wider spectrum in the design process. Working with such licenses as Barbie, Hot Wheels and Disney/Pixar Brands, he got extensive background with both packaging and graphic development. With hard work, dedication and enthusiasm, he soon found himself promoted to Director of Industrial Design. Again, applying his engineering background, he brought a new level of play value to the toy design process. He helped to bring Tara Toy’s first successful electronic activity toy to the market. He applied his mechanical and electronic knowledge to many more successful products. As the only CAD designer on staff, he was also helpful in improving on the overall design process. He used this ability along with his adeptness in model making and bread boarding to build upon this design process. In addition, he was very useful in pursuing maximum profitability for product by simplifying complex problems through his understanding of materials and the molding processes. He was also responsible for aiding in the process of safety assurance establishing a history of reliability for the past 8+ years. His skills as a designer/product director can be seen throughout his 300+ products developed over the years.

His skills however are not limited to the toy industry. As a freelance designer/illustrator under his own business name, Papa Dawg Design Consultation, he used his diverse skills to explore other areas. Among them are confectionary gifts, event decoration, furniture design, logo and graphical design.

RESUMEHOME PAGE

• A creative and analytical Industrial Design-Engineer with 11 years experience in consumer product development and package design for the toy industry

• Enthusiastic brainstorm team member that revels in solving practical and abstract challenges• Professional team player with excellent written and verbal skills • Demonstrates a high level of independence with the ability to coordinate with Brand Managers, Creative

Directors and Creative Team Members to meet tight deadlines with effective results• Ability to communicate with foreign and domestic vendors in regards to manufacturing issues• Ability to analyze profit and loss statements for maximum profitability• Diverse ability to develop both product and package under a variety of licenses • Perceptive understanding of retail and merchandising requirements• Strong understanding in the design of tooling for plastics and polymers as well as the usage of varied

material in manufacturing processes• Well versed in foreign and domestic toy industry safety guidelines and testing procedures• Technically savvy in regards to mechanical and electronic toy product• Highly skilled in form study, prototype and breadboard model development as well as adeptness in

sculpting• Highly proficient in the use of 3D CAD• Sound illustrative and graphical competence in multiple media

RESUMEPERSONAL HISTORY

Tara Toy Corporation, Hauppauge, NY - 6/01-PresentDirector of Industrial Design – Child Activities, Carrying Cases, Party Favors, Stationery and Games

• Developed over 300 innovative products in multiple categories mainly for Mattel and Disney licenses• Designed distinctive branded packaging and graphics that enhanced the ability of the Sales team to place new product at retail • Invented unique methods of resolving cost saving design and engineering issues resulting in an average 4% increased profit

margin• Created mechanical drawings in 3D CAD decreasing turn around times for models from 2 weeks to 3 days by use of 3D SLA

components instead of hand built prototypes• Officiated safety assurance for all products as set forth by domestic and foreign regulatory guidelines that resulted in a well

established history of product safety over the last 9 years • Guided Product Management team in regard to manufacturing processes and usage of materials, for which molding cycle

times decreased, product reliability strengthened and testing outcome improved • Analyzed Product Management team’s profit and loss statements for maximum cost efficiency by identifying unnecessary

components and operations which averaged in an increase of 4% profitability• Reported to Executive Management, as well as foreign and domestic vendors, issues in regard to solving tight schedules and

development problems including tooling improvements and process reevaluation• Oversaw engineering prototypes and initial mold shots assuring products were ready for production and testing• Designed and built working breadboard models for concept evaluation that verified if products were fit for development • Guided development of electronic toys establishing company’s introduction into the retail electronic activity and game

categories• Directed and developed trade magazine ads, PowerPoint presentations, catalogs, tradeshow materials and booths for Sales

team• Communicated with legal consultants in terms of patent issues to identify if products were infringements

RESUMERESUME

SDI Technologies Inc./KIDdesign, Inc., Rahway, NJ - 6/99-6/01Industrial Designer – Multi-Branded Role Play Electronic Toys , Consumer Electronics • Designed and developed role-play toys under the Barbie, Fisher Price, Hot Wheels and Playskool licensed brands • Designed and developed clock radios and CD players under the Barbie, Timex and Zenith licensed brands • Established design process for development of animated LCD screens for electronic role play toys• Developed and managed flow charts for all electronic toy user interfaces to simplify child’s understanding of toy

play patterns• Built foam and functional models for concept evaluation and development

Papa Dawg Design Consultation, Port Jefferson Station, NYFreelance Designer/Artist – Graphics, Toys, Furniture, Event Design & Illustration

• Designed various teaching materials as a student pilot with CFI Mid Island Flight School, Islip, NY• Designed logo for The Southold Raynor Animal Shelter Foundation, Southold, NY• Donated design services for fundraising events at Big Brothers Big Sisters, New York, NY• Created chocolate molds, other confectionary items, and event décor for Creative Confections, Coram, NY

Nextoy Inc., New York City, NY- 6/98-9/98Intern – Inventions for Toys and Games

• Invented concepts for toys• Evaluated new source materials and developed concepts from them for proposals to Mattel and Hasbro• Prepared presentation boards and mockups

RESUMERESUME

BFA in Toy Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY - Magna Cum Laude 5/99AAS in Illustration, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY - Magna Cum Laude 5/97BS in Computer Science, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 6/85

Proficiency in:• Microsoft Office Suite,• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator CS4, • Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt V8 3D CAD/CAM • Mac and PC platforms • Animal rescue

• Flying single engine aircraft• Acoustic guitar

CONTACT INFORESUME

Please contact me at:

Address: 31 Jefferson Boulevard Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776Home Phone: 631.828.6293Cell Phone: 516.647.1474Email: thekmannshere@yahoo.com

RESUME FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

CONTACT INFORMATION

NEXTOY