Travis Watkins

Experience

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  Spanish Hills Country Club

  May 1998 - Oct 2000

  Tennis Instructor
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  Total Tennis Academy

  Jun 1998 - Sept 1999

  Tennis Instructor
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  Pascal Blais Studio

  Apr 1999 - Apr 1999

  Intern

  Help to promote Old Man and the Sea film during the festival circuits.

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  Freelance

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  Editor, After Effects Artist, Production Assistant

  After graduating with my BA in Multimedia, I freelanced with various production facilities and creative studios throughout Southern California. The projects were from a wide range of clients consisting of feature films, corporate videos, government contracts, and commercial advertising.

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  Visual Eyes, Inc.

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  Project Coordinator

  Performed a wide range of jobs for video productions, photo shoots, live events, and interactive projects. Was involved in all aspects of the agency process including planning and scheduling.Clients: Johnson & Johnson, Baush & Lomb, United States Air & Missile Defense, DARPA

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  Sideshow Collectibles

  Feb 2005 - Jun 2011

  In my role as Multimedia Manager and Digital Producer I led a team to conceive and deliver engaging multimedia experiences for the world's largest pop culture collectible company with licenses such as Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, James Bond, Lord of the Rings, and many more.DesignOps: Developed and managed the multimedia department for the world’s largest privately-held specialty manufacturer of licensed and proprietary pop culture collectible products. Started as Multimedia Coordinator; promoted to Multimedia Manager in 2007.Project Planning: Conceptualized, produced, and executed live events, presentation panels, and convention booth experiences.Storytelling: Designed and created unique pieces of marketing content for licensed products from properties such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney.Cross-Functional Communication: Collaborated with company stakeholders and department managers to define project scopes and coordinate multimedia efforts towards company goals. Team Leader & Mentor: Managed the efforts of filmmakers, motion graphic artists, graphic designers, writers, actors, and interns. Helped them navigate both work and personal problems. Show less

  • Multimedia Manager

    Feb 2007 - Jun 2011

  • Multimedia Coordinator

    Feb 2005 - Feb 2007
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  Imp House

  Jul 2011 - Jul 2019

  Founder

  Imp House LLC is an indie board game company start-up that fuses modern game mechanics with retro pop culture themes.Design Operations: Orchestrated and optimized a team of artists and designers to amplify each project’s value and impact. Worked with factories and logistics companies to manufacture and ship products globally.Storytelling: Developed original intellectual properties for game projects. Provided creative direction to artists and designers to enhance the theme and immersion of the gameplay experience.Rapid Prototyping & UX Research: Conducted research, testing, and development of game projects.User-Centered Design: Designed and produced game components, instructional documents, and video content based on research insights and design goals. Presentations & Sales: Exhibited at Pop Culture and Game conventions around the U.S. Entrepreneurship: Raised over $100,000 through crowdfunding for the production & fulfillment of board game projects. Show less

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  Chronicle Collectibles

  Jun 2019 - May 2020

  Production Manager

  Project Development: Define the scope and parameters of projects through research and creative briefs. Facilitate communication and assets among team members and licensors to keep projects on schedule, within budget, on brand, and within scope. Utilize Trello and Infinity to assign tasks to individuals, organize communication, and track the project timelines for development and production.Product Manufacturing: Negotiate with foreign factories to obtain manufacturing quotes that meet target prices and timelines. Provide art and creative direction to factories throughout the sampling and manufacturing process. Coordinate communication, assets, information, and exchange of funds throughout the manufacturing process.Creative Direction: Provide direction for achieving the project goals, staying on brand for the licensor, while keeping within the manufacturing scope parameters.Brand Development: Develop and establish new product lines with licensors, retail outlets, and manufacturing partners, while defining the company’s brand, core values, and focus. Show less

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  Idea Planet, powered by BDA

  Aug 2020 - now

  I am responsible for the direction and execution of the design development department output for BDA Dallas. I’ve evolved and led the consumer product design development discipline and department, including processes and best practices for pitching concepts, designing product experiences, creating prototypes, and developing opportunities for team member growth. This includes being an integral part of leadership for establishing a cohesive vision of the design discipline within the organization.I conduct my own internal research projects to uncover challenges, improve cross-functional projects, and identify business opportunities. I am a driving force behind the company operations projects, business development, and creative direction.I collaborate regularly with Program Management, Sales, Operations, Sourcing, and Manufacturing, to understand informational needs, gaps, and white space opportunities across the organization. As part of that, I develop and execute initiatives for solving operational pain points and achieving business objectives.I define the Design Development department needs, manage and administrate design and development tools, partners, vendors, and factories. I conduct regular one on one check-ins with direct reports to ensure their voices are being heard and they are achieving their goals and objectives.I participate in client brainstorms and strategy sessions to conduct interviews and research. I lead my team in research and design exercises to develop physical product concepts. I use my storytelling background to create pitch decks and present the product concepts to clients on the behalf of the sales team. Show less Department Management: Lead and build the vision of the product and packaging development for Idea Planet and Idea Planet Launch while managing the product development team. Perform regular check-ins with direct reports. Prepare and administer employee evaluations and performance reviews. Ensure established goals for the department and direct reports are being met. Ensure direct reports adhere to company protocols and procedures.Project Management: Develop creative concepts through collaboration with internal and global external design partners. Draft and refine quote and spec documents with assigned team, and review with global manufacturing and costing partners. Review costs and scheduling to establish development budget and development milestones. Develop, review, and update specifications as needed. Direct and manage product prototype development and submissions to manufacturing partners. Direct and manage packaging development. Perform daily communication with project managers and factory partners. Collaborative Environment: Foster an environment of collaboration and learning to ensure teammates are teaching each other while growing themselves and the department.Ideation for New and Existing Business: Research competitors, product innovations, and market dynamics. Lead brainstorms and conceptualize for new business pitches and innovative new products for current business partners.Client Presentations: Develop and lead client-partner presentations.Client-Partner and Factory Visuals: Create visuals for presentations and design sheet documents. Create production ready art through internal and external resources. Photograph and record videos of work in progress prototypes throughout the development and manufacturing phases to communicate with client-partners and internal stake-holders. Vendor Partners: Identify and vet new global vendors to ensure the team has resources for all aspects of the development process. Show less

  • Director, Design Development

    Jun 2022 - now

  • Director, Design Development

    Feb 2022 - Jul 2022

  • Co-Director, Design Development

    Aug 2020 - Feb 2022