I’m a senior graphic designer, illustrator, and character‑driven storyteller with 25+ years of experience creating packaging, branding, children’s books, product lines, and educational visuals for national brands, toy companies, and consumer products. I’ve worked with Hasbro, Knowledge Adventure, Paradise Greetings, 2 Monkey Trading, Z Company, MathMile Marker, and SugarPlum, delivering everything from character design and animation to full packaging systems and retail‑ready product lines. My work includes one of Martha Stewart’s Top Ten Easter Products, multiple award‑winning designs, and long‑term creative partnerships across toys, education, publishing, and retail. What Makes Me Stand Out Character‑driven design: I bring personality, warmth, and storytelling into logos, packaging, and products. Retail‑ready execution: I design with the shelf, the shopper, and the brand voice in mind. Cross‑industry versatility: Toys, candy, books, educational media, promotional products, furniture branding — I’ve done it all. Production‑ready precision: Clean files, correct specs, print‑ready layouts, and fast turnaround. Proven commercial appeal: My designs have appeared in national retail, on bestselling product lines, and on Martha Stewart’s top‑ranked lists. Experience that spans eras of design: From CD‑ROM games and animation to modern packaging and AI‑assisted workflows. Core Experience Packaging & Product Design: Candy, toys, seasonal goods, promotional items, lifestyle products Children’s Media: Storybooks, characters, educational visuals, interactive games Branding: Logos, identity systems, product families, campaign visuals Illustration: Characters, mascots, book art, product art, retail displays…

Richard H Walsh

PRO

I’m a senior graphic designer, illustrator, and character‑driven storyteller with 25+ years of experience creating packaging, branding, children’s books, product lines, and educational visuals for national brands, toy companies, and consumer products. I’ve worked with Hasbro, Knowledge Adventure, Paradise Greetings, 2 Monkey Trading, Z Company, MathMile Marker, and SugarPlum, delivering everything from character design and animation to full packaging systems and retail‑ready product lines. My work includes one of Martha Stewart’s Top Ten Easter Products, multiple award‑winning designs, and long‑term creative partnerships across toys, education, publishing, and retail. What Makes Me Stand Out Character‑driven design: I bring personality, warmth, and storytelling into logos, packaging, and products. Retail‑ready execution: I design with the shelf, the shopper, and the brand voice in mind. Cross‑industry versatility: Toys, candy, books, educational media, promotional products, furniture branding — I’ve done it all. Production‑ready precision: Clean files, correct specs, print‑ready layouts, and fast turnaround. Proven commercial appeal: My designs have appeared in national retail, on bestselling product lines, and on Martha Stewart’s top‑ranked lists. Experience that spans eras of design: From CD‑ROM games and animation to modern packaging and AI‑assisted workflows. Core Experience Packaging & Product Design: Candy, toys, seasonal goods, promotional items, lifestyle products Children’s Media: Storybooks, characters, educational visuals, interactive games Branding: Logos, identity systems, product families, campaign visuals Illustration: Characters, mascots, book art, product art, retail displays…

Available to hire

I’m a senior graphic designer, illustrator, and character‑driven storyteller with 25+ years of experience creating packaging, branding, children’s books, product lines, and educational visuals for national brands, toy companies, and consumer products.

I’ve worked with Hasbro, Knowledge Adventure, Paradise Greetings, 2 Monkey Trading, Z Company, MathMile Marker, and SugarPlum, delivering everything from character design and animation to full packaging systems and retail‑ready product lines.

My work includes one of Martha Stewart’s Top Ten Easter Products, multiple award‑winning designs, and long‑term creative partnerships across toys, education, publishing, and retail.

What Makes Me Stand Out
Character‑driven design: I bring personality, warmth, and storytelling into logos, packaging, and products.

Retail‑ready execution: I design with the shelf, the shopper, and the brand voice in mind.

Cross‑industry versatility: Toys, candy, books, educational media, promotional products, furniture branding — I’ve done it all.

Production‑ready precision: Clean files, correct specs, print‑ready layouts, and fast turnaround.

Proven commercial appeal: My designs have appeared in national retail, on bestselling product lines, and on Martha Stewart’s top‑ranked lists.

Experience that spans eras of design: From CD‑ROM games and animation to modern packaging and AI‑assisted workflows.

Core Experience
Packaging & Product Design: Candy, toys, seasonal goods, promotional items, lifestyle products

Children’s Media: Storybooks, characters, educational visuals, interactive games

Branding: Logos, identity systems, product families, campaign visuals

Illustration: Characters, mascots, book art, product art, retail displays

See more

Work Experience

Graphic designer/illustrator-freelance at SugarPlum
January 1, 2022 - Present
Created designs for nut brand packaging, logos, illustrations, and displays.
Graphic designer/illustrator-freelance at Z company
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2024
Created designs for furniture, logos, illustrations, packaging and display.
Graphic designer/illustrator-freelance at Jack Morton
January 1, 2012 - Present
Created designs for online website layouts, logos and illustrations for training Flash site.
Graphic designer/illustrator-freelance at MathMile Marker
January 1, 2011 - Present
Designed visuals to teach kids math through storytelling; started a series of books.
Package designer/illustrator-freelance at Creative Group
January 1, 2008 - Present
Worked with clients including Only Hearts Club; created background illustrations for product line; developed logos and package designs for toy products; Mold boxer Inc; branding for cleaning products.
Package designer/illustrator-freelance at 2 Monkey Trading
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2022
Created illustrations for products and developed logos and package designs for girl and promotional products.
Package designer/illustrator at Vast Resources
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2008
Package and branding designer for cosmetics and LED light products.
Senior Card Designer at Paradise Greetings
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2000
Designed greeting cards for all occasions, packaging and labels, mailers and point-of-purchase displays.
Illustrator/Senior Designer/Animator at Knowledge Adventure
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 2000
Designed and created children's CD-ROMs; storyboards, character designs, and game piece animations.
Freelance Designer/Illustrator at Paper Magic Group
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1999
Graphic designer/illustrator for licensed animated characters; created product lines for greeting cards and box designs.
Illustrator/Product Designer at Hasbro
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1999
Created black line art for several toy lines, mostly for Playskool.
Illustrator/Animator at Learning Ways, Inc.
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1995
Freelance artist for educational CD-ROM art and design.

Education

BFA in Graphic Design at Massachusetts College of Art
January 11, 2030 - April 18, 2026
AA in Design and Photograph at Blue Hills Technical Institute
January 11, 2030 - April 18, 2026
Animation studies at School of the Museum of Fine Art (through the Pro Arts Program)
January 11, 2030 - April 18, 2026

Qualifications

Character Design Award
January 11, 2030 - April 18, 2026
The Art Directors Club Award
January 11, 2030 - April 18, 2026
The First and One Year Toy Awards
January 11, 2030 - April 18, 2026
Boston Ballet Set Design Award
January 11, 2030 - April 18, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods, Education, Manufacturing, Retail, Software & Internet
    other Packaging projects

    This collection showcases a diverse range of branding and packaging work I created for multiple companies across different industries. Each project reflects a tailored visual identity, thoughtful layout design, and production‑ready packaging assets.

    HaBaby Food – Baby Food Branding & Packaging
    I developed a complete brand system for HaBaby Food, including a playful, modern logo and a cohesive packaging style designed to appeal to parents seeking healthy, globally inspired baby meals. The product line features hummus, guacamole, and chana masala, each with clean ingredient lists, clear container weights, and bright, approachable color palettes. The project also includes apparel and jar mockups to demonstrate how the brand extends across merchandise and product formats.

    Petabis Organics – CBD & Hemp Pet Treat Packaging
    For Petabis Organics, I designed packaging for their organic CBD and hemp‑based dog treats. Each bag highlights functional benefits—immune support and calming support—paired with natural ingredient callouts like peanut butter, maca, passion flower, and carob. The layouts balance regulatory information (guaranteed analysis, feeding instructions, and ingredient lists) with a warm, holistic aesthetic that reinforces the brand’s commitment to pet wellness.

    Nature’s Own Chunk Charwood – Charcoal Packaging & Promotional Materials

    Seat Pets
    I served as the lead illustrator, character designer, packaging designer, and web‑design visual developer for the Seat Pets brand. Key Contributions Created the full cast of Seat Pets characters, including their personalities, color palettes, and signature expressions. Designed the original packaging, which began as a custom car‑shaped box to reinforce the travel theme. When production costs became too high, I redesigned the packaging into a more efficient, retail‑friendly box while keeping the playful brand identity intact. Developed the Seat Pets logo and brand look, establishing a bright, friendly visual style that appealed to both kids and parents. Designed the website’s visual layout, including navigation, character pages, product pages, and interactive elements such as “Meet the Pets” and “Games.” Created digital assets and marketing visuals used across web, packaging, and promotional materials. Supported expansion into licensed versions, including collaborations with brands like Peter Rabbit and Lalaloopsy. Impact Helped establish Seat Pets as a recognizable, character‑driven children’s product line. Delivered cohesive branding across packaging, web, and product design. Contributed to a product that stood out on shelves through personality, color, and charm.…
    graphic and packaging designs
    I worked as a package designer, product designer, and brand developer, helping Z Company define the look, feel, and retail presence of their folding furniture and lifestyle products starting in 2011. Your Key Contributions Designed full packaging systems for large‑format products such as: Butterfly chairs Gliding rocking chairs Camping cots Dish chairs and bungee chairs Laundry stations and collapsible storage Created logos, sub‑brand identities, and shipping‑ready graphics, ensuring every box communicated durability, comfort, and ease of use. Developed color palettes and style directions for chair fabrics, frames, and accessories — helping shape the visual personality of multiple product lines. Produced retail‑ready layouts for: Tall vertical boxes Oversized horizontal cartons Collegiate‑licensed packaging In‑store display materials Collaborated with product development teams to ensure packaging matched manufacturing specs, folding mechanisms, and assembly instructions. Designed themed and licensed chairs, including: Collegiate bungee chairs Football‑themed chairs Branded outdoor seating Balanced creativity with practicality, delivering designs that were visually appealing, structurally accurate, and cost‑efficient to print and ship. Provided consistent creative support across multiple product cycles, becoming a trusted designer for both packaging and product aesthetics. Impact Strengthened Z Company’s retail presence with bold, clear, consumer‑friendly packaging. Helped define the visual identity of their folding furniture line during a period of growth. Contributed to products that appeared in major retail environments nationwide. Built a strong working relationship based on reliability, versatility, and design precision.…
    package brandings
    I served as a product designer, illustrator, and brand developer across an unusually wide range of novelty, gift, and specialty items. What began as an accidental email turned into an 11‑year creative partnership where you helped shape multiple product lines from concept to shelf. Your Key Contributions Developed branding and visual identities for several of the company’s sub‑brands, including: Lucky Shot My Stuck Glass Flying Monkeys War Monkey Collectors Armory Cobra Braid Your Moon Phase Created packaging, logos, and product graphics that gave each line its own personality while still fitting within the company’s quirky, adventurous brand voice. Designed product concepts ranging from novelty toys to drinkware, paracord gear, bullet‑themed accessories, and collectible items. Illustrated characters and mascots, including the signature monkey branding used across signage, packaging, and promotional materials. Built retail‑ready displays and point‑of‑purchase materials, such as the Fairy Dust display and other countertop units. Collaborated directly with the owner to refine ideas, troubleshoot production challenges, and create designs that were cost‑effective to manufacture. Provided consistent long‑term creative support, becoming a go‑to designer for new product launches, rebrands, and seasonal updates. Adapted your style across wildly different product categories, demonstrating versatility in illustration, branding, and packaging design. Impact Helped 2 Monkey Trading grow a diverse product catalog with strong visual identities. Contributed to multiple successful product lines that became staples of the company’s offerings. Provided stability and creative direction during more than a decade of continuous collaboration.…
    educational and television designs
    I worked as a character designer, illustrator, and game‑asset creator for multiple educational software companies during the height of the CD‑ROM learning era. Your work supported major textbook publishers and iconic educational game franchises. Your Key Contributions Created character designs and turnarounds for animated educational software, developing expressive, kid‑friendly characters that could be animated across multiple learning modules. Illustrated backgrounds, props, and interactive elements for early CD‑ROM educational games used alongside Simon & Schuster textbooks. Helped define the visual language for LearningWays’ animated learning tools, ensuring clarity, engagement, and age‑appropriate design. Relocated to Los Angeles to join Jan Davidson’s team, contributing to the redesign and modernization of their flagship characters — including Math Blaster, Reading Blaster, and related educational titles. Produced production‑ready art assets for a wide range of game types: Early‑learning alphabet and counting games Pattern‑recognition and logic activities Racing and adventure‑style educational games Collaborated with developers and animators to ensure your designs translated smoothly into interactive environments. Worked on licensed and partner products, including projects for Fisher‑Price, expanding your reach into early‑childhood learning brands. Created concept sketches, model sheets, and character rotations that guided animation teams and ensured consistency across multiple titles. Impact Helped shape the look and feel of some of the most recognizable educational games of the 1990s and early 2000s. Contributed to software used in classrooms and homes nationwide during a formative era of digital learning.…
    greeting card and decorative designer
    I was hired as a licensed character illustrator and packaging designer, creating greeting cards and seasonal boxed sets for major entertainment brands during your 10‑year collaboration with Paper Magic Group. Your Key Contributions Designed the full Ren & Stimpy Valentine’s line — including two boxed sets and all interior cards — with no style guide, working only from a handful of reference images. Delivered the entire first project within 24 hours, proving your ability to interpret a brand’s voice, capture character likeness, and produce production‑ready artwork under extreme deadlines. Created original card concepts, poses, and humor that felt authentic to each franchise while still fitting the greeting‑card format. Expanded into long‑term licensed work for: Disney (Mickey & Minnie, Donald Duck, Pluto, Snow White, Evil Queen) Warner Bros. Nickelodeon Illustrated and designed packaging, including: Box fronts and backs Card inserts Die‑cut elements Seasonal and holiday themes Adapted multiple character styles — from classic Disney to edgy Nickelodeon — while maintaining brand accuracy and emotional appeal. Collaborated with product development teams to ensure artwork fit manufacturing specs, printing limitations, and retail display requirements. Helped shape Paper Magic’s seasonal product lines, contributing to Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and general greeting‑card assortments. Impact Your Ren & Stimpy launch project opened the door to a decade of high‑profile licensed work. You became a trusted illustrator capable of handling beloved characters with precision and personality. Your designs contributed to Paper Magic’s strong presence in seasonal retail aisles during the height of licensed greeting‑card popularity.…
    math books illustrator
    I served as the lead illustrator, character designer, and visual developer for the Math MileMarkers educational book line — a series created to help young learners build foundational math skills through storytelling. Your Key Contributions Developed the core cast of characters, beginning with Jayla and expanding into a full ensemble of diverse, expressive children who guide readers through math concepts. Illustrated complete children’s books across multiple titles, producing full‑page scenes, spot illustrations, and cover art that made abstract math ideas feel friendly and accessible. Created bilingual editions by designing layouts that worked seamlessly in both English and Spanish, ensuring readability and visual consistency across languages. Designed the visual identity of the series, including: Color palettes Typography choices Layout systems Iconography and recurring visual motifs Collaborated closely with the author and educational team to ensure the artwork supported the math pedagogy — reinforcing pattern recognition, number sense, and problem‑solving through visual storytelling. Produced supplemental materials, such as: Foldable stories Classroom aids Anniversary graphics Promotional illustrations Maintained long‑term brand continuity, evolving the look of the series while keeping characters recognizable and emotionally engaging for young readers. Impact Helped establish Math MileMarkers as a distinctive, child‑friendly educational brand. Supported teachers and students with visuals that make math concepts easier to grasp.…
    Sheldon
    I was the character designer, illustrator, and visual developer responsible for creating Shelldon — a warm, friendly mascot used across pediatric rehabilitation materials, signage, and patient‑facing programs. Your Key Contributions Designed and developed the Shelldon character from early concept sketches through final approved model, refining personality, proportions, and emotional appeal to resonate with young children. Created a full visual identity system around the character, including color palettes, expressions, poses, and thematic variations (seasonal, holiday, safety campaigns, hospital visits). Illustrated educational and emotional‑support materials, such as: “Shelldon Goes to the Hospital” story imagery Booster‑seat safety posters Seasonal scenes (winter, autumn, holiday, playground) Adapted the character for multiple formats, including: Print collateral Environmental graphics Digital materials A full‑scale mascot costume used in hospitals Collaborated with the design firm and medical teams to ensure Shelldon communicated comfort, safety, and encouragement for children facing rehabilitation or hospital visits. Helped shape the narrative role of the mascot, positioning Shelldon as a companion who reduces fear, builds trust, and supports kids through medical experiences. Maintained character consistency across all applications, ensuring Shelldon remained recognizable, expressive, and emotionally supportive. Impact Shelldon became a long‑running, beloved mascot still in use since 2016. Helped pediatric patients feel safer and more at ease during hospital visits and rehab sessions.…
    package design for candy and nuts
    You were hired as a designer and packaging illustrator to develop and expand Sugar Plum’s seasonal and specialty product lines. Your work directly shaped the look, feel, and marketability of multiple product collections across several years. Your Key Contributions Developed full packaging systems for multiple product lines, including the Damn Man nut line, holiday advent calendars, and seasonal gift boxes. Created original illustrations, patterns, and visual themes tailored to each holiday or product category (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc.). Designed structural and graphic concepts for boxes, tins, sleeves, and specialty packaging, ensuring they were production‑ready and print‑accurate. Collaborated closely with the client to refine concepts, adjust dielines, and deliver final artwork that aligned with brand goals and manufacturing requirements. Produced limited‑edition and anniversary designs, including the 30 Year Book Box and commemorative branding elements. Expanded the brand’s visual identity through cohesive color palettes, typography choices, and character‑driven artwork that elevated the product line. Helped ideate and execute new product concepts, such as multi‑day advent calendars (13 Days of Halloween, 24 Days of Nuts & Snacks). Leveraged your greeting card and seasonal product experience to create packaging with strong shelf appeal and emotional resonance. Impact Strengthened Sugar Plum’s seasonal product presence with eye‑catching, gift‑ready packaging. Helped the company diversify its offerings with new formats and collectible designs.…