I am a Creative Director and Product Development Leader with over 25 years of experience turning concepts into commercial success through strategic design, brand management, and cross-functional team leadership. I specialize in licensed product development, international manufacturing, and creative problem-solving within demanding deadlines. My extensive background includes managing toy and premium goods design for iconic global brands, leading creative teams, collaborating cross-functionally with design, engineering, marketing, and client services, and presenting to major licensors such as Disney, Marvel, and Lucas Films. I bring a hands-on approach to concept ideation, design, team management, and product development, combined with strong skills in 3D modeling, character design, and illustration.…

Ron J. Van Harpen

I am a Creative Director and Product Development Leader with over 25 years of experience turning concepts into commercial success through strategic design, brand management, and cross-functional team leadership. I specialize in licensed product development, international manufacturing, and creative problem-solving within demanding deadlines. My extensive background includes managing toy and premium goods design for iconic global brands, leading creative teams, collaborating cross-functionally with design, engineering, marketing, and client services, and presenting to major licensors such as Disney, Marvel, and Lucas Films. I bring a hands-on approach to concept ideation, design, team management, and product development, combined with strong skills in 3D modeling, character design, and illustration.…

Available to hire

I am a Creative Director and Product Development Leader with over 25 years of experience turning concepts into commercial success through strategic design, brand management, and cross-functional team leadership. I specialize in licensed product development, international manufacturing, and creative problem-solving within demanding deadlines.

My extensive background includes managing toy and premium goods design for iconic global brands, leading creative teams, collaborating cross-functionally with design, engineering, marketing, and client services, and presenting to major licensors such as Disney, Marvel, and Lucas Films. I bring a hands-on approach to concept ideation, design, team management, and product development, combined with strong skills in 3D modeling, character design, and illustration.

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Skills

Experience Level

Work Experience

Creative Director: Product Development and Design for Toy and Premium Goods at The Marketing Store Worldwide – Chicago, IL
May 1, 2025 - August 6, 2025
Managed concept ideation for licensed McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys & Premiums averaging 12 programs annually. Directed ideation process, interpreting marketing briefs, leading brainstorming sessions, and creating strategic platforms for multiple toy lines. Managed a team of Toy Designers, Art Directors, and Senior Art Directors (1-5 direct reports). Collaborated cross-functionally with client services, industrial design, digital, engineering, and presented concepts to clients and licensors including Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Lucas Films, DreamWorks, Sony, Universal, Nickelodeon, Mattel, Hasbro, and others. Directed creative reviews and critiques of digital and physical models. Contributed additional concept design and illustration for new client proposals outside Happy Meal programs.
Product Development Director: Animated Plush; Electronic and Conventional Ornaments at Santa’s Best – Riverwoods, IL
May 1, 2011 - August 6, 2025
Managed concept ideation for licensed and non-licensed Christmas and seasonal holiday themed merchandise. Licensed properties included Disney, Elvis Presley, Alvin & the Chipmunks, M&Ms Characters, Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, MCU, and others. Conducted market trend research for toys, holiday décor, and lifestyle product categories. Created digital presentations for new license proposals, developed new product concepts, directed staff designers and freelance illustrators, and hand-sculpted clay models for various products. Collaborated with executive and sales teams, Hong Kong engineering team, and prototype shops. Managed overseas product development phases including sourcing, model making, prototyping, and manufacturing. Averaged six trips to Asia per year for development visits and sourcing.
Creative Director: Product Development and Design for Toy and Premium Goods at The Marketing Store Worldwide – Lombard, IL
December 1, 2007 - August 6, 2025
Managed concept ideation of licensed branded toys and other products for McDonald’s Happy Meal programs. Directed ideation process, interpreted marketing briefs, initiated brainstorming, and created themes for multiple toy lines. Conducted internal broad team line review critiques and determined final concept selection. Managed a team of 3 staff designers with responsibilities for performance and salary reviews. Researched market trends in toys, lifestyle products, and kids’ fashion accessories. Collaborated cross-discipline with client services, industrial design, engineering, and QA safety. Reviewed and critiqued pre-production models. Presented toy concept product lines to clients and licensors including DreamWorks, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Mattel, Hasbro, Lego, Wild Planet, Sega, and FIFA.
Senior Product Development Manager: Product Design & Development, Direct to Consumer Collectibles at The Bradford Group – Niles, IL
February 1, 2005 - August 6, 2025
Managed product development from concept ideation to final product for Bradford Authenticated (Sports Collectibles) and Hawthorne Village Collectibles profit centers. Worked within licensing guidelines for Universal Studios, Disney, Thomas Kinkade, Elvis Presley Enterprises, NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, NHL, and United States Marine Corps. Researched trends in collectible and gift markets. Provided design direction to in-house teams and freelance illustrators and designers. Collaborated with marketing, purchasing, and operations departments. Acted as primary contact for overseas production correspondence. Critiqued all models and approved final products.
Creative Director: Product Development, Branded Gifts and Collectibles at Ace Product Management Group – Milwaukee, WI
December 1, 2003 - August 6, 2025
Supervised category development for Holiday, Collectible, Fashion Accessories, Lifestyle, Home Décor, and Gift product lines. Managed up to 10 direct reports over tenure, directing outside illustrators, photographers, designers, and model-makers. Created logos, product renderings, packaging, branded programs, and corporate identities. Developed marketing materials including point of sale, trade-show graphics, and signage. Directed package photography including studio and location shoots. Primary creative contact for product development with clients such as Harley-Davidson, Lionel Toy Trains, Girl Scouts of America, Thomas the Tank Engine, Corvette, Fender Guitars, Case International Harvester, Jack Daniels, and Miller Coors. Toured manufacturers in the US, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, and China.

Education

Major: Art, Minor: History at University of Wisconsin : Milwaukee, WI
January 11, 2030 - August 6, 2025
Major: History/Secondary Education, Minor: Art at University of Wisconsin : Eau Claire, WI
January 11, 2030 - August 6, 2025
Certification Curriculum: Web Design / Web Developer at Computer Training Source : Chicago , IL
November 12, 2012 - February 22, 2013
Certificates of completion in the following courses: Adobe After Affect CS5.5_Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5_Adobe Fireworks CS5.5_Adobe Flash CS5.5_Adobe Premiere CS5.5_Adobe InDesign CS5.5_Adobe Illustrator CS5.5_Adobe Acrobat_Adobe Photoshop CS5.5_Adobe Photoshop Workflow_Adobe Photoshop Production_HTML 5_CSS3_Javascript_MYSQL Database Managment_PHP: Hypertext Processor_SEO: Sear Engine Optimization_Pay-Per-Click_WordPress_Microsoft Excel_Microsoft Power Point_Microsoft Word Additionally I should not that I tested and received ADOBE CERTIFICATION in both Photoshop and Illustrator

Qualifications

Certification Curriculum: Web Design / Web Developer
January 11, 2030 - August 6, 2025

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Retail, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment

Skills

Experience Level