I hadn’t really planned on being a toy designer, but then along came my son. He’s both the best and the worst client. He gives vague creative direction, yet is highly specific in his expectations and his turnaround times are ridiculous. But when he’s helping me cut out parts or tape things together or ultimately holding or using the finished product, the look of joy on his face is priceless. And actually, from my adult professional designer standpoint, his standards for quality are not that high. What a huge relief to me that he doesn’t really care if it’s a bit rough around the edges or has flaps hanging open and only lasts a week before falling apart.

Our cardboard dollhouse has undergone numerous renovations and the paper towel tube rockets have been augmented with parachutes and boosters. He’s more of a process-driven ideas guy, and under his direction I am learning to step back from perfection and take the the “fail early, fail fast” mantra to heart.

What this job has taught me:

• Always ask why. Then ask why not.
• Design with what’s available. Make what’s not available.
• Sometimes you need to think inside the box. Or just cut the box apart.