Three things I learned from London Toy Fair 2020
Having wandered the aisles of Toy Fair, Gamely’s Hazel Reynolds shares her three stand-out thoughts from her time at the show.
LEGO debuts new inventor platform, the Innovation Intake Portal
New online portal allows inventors to submit ideas for new play concepts to LEGO.
Westley Ciaramella on how invention studio Catapult Concepts thrives on a blend of skills, a fast pace and sheer chutzpah
We caught up with Westley to talk creative Kryptonites, why New York inspired him and how Catapult Concepts drives creativity with ‘what if…’ ideas.
UK toy market suffers 6% sales drop in 2019 but remains Europe’s largest toy market
“The on-going question that is Brexit undoubtedly had a dampening effect on consumer confidence whilst a general election in the middle of the busiest trading month of the year wasn’t helpful,” said the BTHA’s Natasha Crookes.
The Marketing Store’s Pamela Stathaki talks sustainability
Pamela Stathaki joined The Marketing Store (TMS) in August 2019 in the new and important role of Head of Sustainability. Her focus initially is to work with TMS’ researchers, developers, engineers and designers to find the right sustainable solution for the firm’s toys; all the while making sure the toys are safe, fun and as environmentally friendly as possible!
Asmodee UK sees sales soar 21% in 2019
Sales of Dobble – the UK’s best-selling game – grew 62%, while Bananagrams enjoyed a sales spike of 28%.
Read the Mojo Nation 100 online now
The Mojo Nation 100 is a listing of the most influential figures currently working in the world of toy and game design who have excelled over the last 12 months.
Games that sell: Specialist retailer Becky Ottery on what she can’t sell and doesn’t buy
What do retailers know about inventing games that sell? Darrell and Becky Ottery own and run the aptly named Eclectic Games in Reading. With a tireless work ethic, they strive to play every game they stock, and meet each customer’s need with insight.
“My ethos is to design toys that enrich, stimulate, educate and solve problems”: Valeria Miglioli on the launch of her new toy design consultancy, Pumpkin Projects
After 16 years as Fiesta Crafts’ product development manager, last year saw Valeria Miglioli leave the firm to launch her own toy design consultancy, Pumpkin Projects.
From Comic-Cons to fish markets, Fab Design’s James Yuen on finding inspiration for toys and games in all aspects of life
We caught up with Yuen to find out what drives creativity at Fab Design, and how decades at Hasbro shaped his approach to design.