Dharmander Patel on the launch of his new invention studio, DNR Games

After over ten years as Product Development Manager at Drumond Park, 2020 saw Dharmander Patel leave the firm to launch his own invention hub, DNR Games.

We caught up with Minda to learn more about why now was the right time to experience life on the other side of the fence.

Hi Minda, so to kick us off, how did you get your start in the world of toy and games?
My degree was in Product Design at University and for our 3rd year in industry, three of us were selected to spend the year at Hasbro. We had a fantastic placement year playing with Action Man and Sindy dolls, learning how toys were made.I was invited back as a Product Engineer after I graduated in 1995 and I have not looked back ever since.

Amazing, and after 11 years with Drumond Park, 2020 has seen you launch a brand new venture in the form of DNR Games. What sort of things will you be doing and why is now the right time for a change?
I will be focusing mainly on the inventing side, both toys and games, and I’m really looking forward to the Mojo Pitch even. It will be weird being on the other side and pitching to other companies, compared to being pitched to, but I’m excited about the challenge and getting feedback on what I have to show. I’d also love the opportunity to work with other companies with their product development and project management; ultimately helping to get ideas off the ground.

Great. And I’m curious, how did your time with Drumond shape your approach to games design? And looking ahead, what would you say will characterise a ‘DNR’ game?
At Drumond, the focus was on building lasting brands like Articulate and Logo that have now become household names. I want to take this approach and build on it for DNR Games, but also think more outside of the box and come up with ideas that have more challenging game plays and wacky themes.

And having been pitched to by inventors countless times, are there are key learnings you’ll be applying in your new position on the other side of the fence as an inventor pitching ideas to companies?
Preparation and research will be the two things that without a doubt I’ll focus on. When I pitch my concepts, ultimately it’s the idea that is the most important thing. However, I’ll also be sure to have researched how the products will be manufactured, how much they will cost and who the target audience is.

How do you fuel your creativity?
I have two girls aged five and 11 who keep me very busy, but also give me all the inspiration I need. From my youngest, I get the imagination of turning everything she does into a game and from the older one, I get a sense of what is current, trendy and cool.

And before we let you go, if folks want to hear more about DNR Games, how can they reach out to contact you?
My email is [email protected] or you can call me on +44 (0) 7802175675.

Brill – a big thanks Minda and good luck with DNR Games!

—-

To stay in the loop with the latest news, interviews and features from the world of toy and game design, sign up to our weekly newsletter here

More Recent Interview

Funko’s Director of Group Licensing & Retail Strategy, Lucy Salisbury, talks music, sport and more

“I’m absolutely loving it!” Lucy Salisbury on Funko’s new strategy – and her own increased remit.

See Jane Fun’s Jane Bredemus on creating crafts designed for play, not display

Inventor Jane Bredemus talks putty products, Sticker Stackers and her kid-centric approach to design.

Hasbro’s Evan Brooks takes us inside the design process on TRANSFORMERS – and reveals his most underrated creation!

Hasbro’s Evan Brooks – Product Designer on the TRANSFORMERS team – talks design, innovation and what makes the brand unique.

Moodles creator Joanna Paul and LoCoco Licensing’s Peter LoCoco on building the brand beyond toys

“It has an incredible opportunity; it’s about finding the people who believe in it”: Joanna Paul and Peter LoCoco on the Moodles story so far.

The Rubik’s Cube at 50: Ernö Rubik tells Pete Jenkinson how the iconic puzzle came to be

“I don’t like the word invention” Ernö Rubik reveals how he discovered the eponymous Cube 50 years ago…

Game designer Dirk Barsuhn on what inspired his new tile-laying game, Ananda

“The idea came to me when I saw mahjong for the first time”: Dirk Barsuhn talks Ananda – and what made Zoch the perfect home for it.