embellishing the story
When Disney pin trading began, pins were flat with no embellishments.
To tell a more engaging story, I innovated the use of a stained glass effect and multiple layers into the Quasimodo pin; the first of its kind. This opened the door to new opportunities in manufacturing pins with embellishments.
Utilizing the new processes, such as pin-on-pin, jumbos, sets, sliders, and more, the pin category grew from $5M to $50MM in five years.
Pin creators the world over took note of the new styles and began using the embellishments in their pin designs.
This is the pin that opened the door to pin embellishment innovation. Guests looking for souvenirs value the novelty of these tiny treasures.
Pin designs reflect a theme or character personality in the story
Integrating a photograph and characters from an animated short to fit into the scene
Giving due credit
I was part of a cross-functional team of buyers, sourcing agents, and six designers, along with all the behind the scenes financial gurus who all played together to create what Disney calls 'Tangible Memories'.
Even Super Jumbo pins were produced with many layers and outsized elements
I hand painted replica of a retro DIsney Christmas card that includes a pin.
Framed pin sets were designed for collectors. This is a montage of Donald model sheets.
A special logo and pin backer card I designed for a separate Halloween event at the Magic Kingdom.
Packaging design for pin set and individual pins. Both are designed to reflect the baking nature of the pin theme.
This pin set includes stylized character gingerbread cookies on specially designed and manufactured cookie tins. I also designed the 4C printed packaging made to look like a bake shop with display racks in the window.
story immersion
I integrated story and design to create unique products which helped to skyrocket the Disney pin program. Some items are from special events which were an outgrowth of the pin trading phenomenon.
Pins and props were used to tell a grand story. In this five-pin set, for which I requested a miniature bellman cart, Goofy plays bellman. Donald, who as his natural luck would have it, is hung on a hanger. The set included packaging printed to look like luggage pieces. Inside the each package is a Disney Resort bathroom amenity, which guests would take as souvenirs.
Goofy plays bellman and pushes Donald, who is attached to a hanger on his bell cart.
Collector image of miniature bell cart with luggage. (Image sourced online. Apologies for the image quality)
Inside the luggage packages are pins of Disney Resort amenities, which guests would collect as souvenirs.
SURPRISES INCLUDED
Pins were also incorporated into other pieces, such as collectible figurines to help add additional uses to the item. Elements from an animated short were added to the theme of an event to create a complete story in the sculpture of Mickey hugging Grandma Duck in the sculpt below.
Good storytelling involves details that others may miss.
Welcome Gift for Disneyana collector convention with Grandma Duck greeting Mickey as he arrives with a huge hug.
A pin that looks like Mickey's suitcase opens to reveal Pluto as a special surprise
Brand ambassadors
In addition to daily project management, tending to timelines, vendor issues, and designing day-to-day items, my team would create specialty items for Disney collector parties. We would attend the events as ambassadors to greet guests, as well as sign their pins and other collectible event paraphernalia.
Plenty of examples of my work can be seen listed for sale by collectors on sites such as Worthpoint and Ebay. Both sites have a rotating supply of work samples full of storytelling, all keeping on-theme brand messaging.
Below are examples of other ways I used pins in engaging designs to excite the collector and regular Guests alike.
Each pin tells a story to celebrate the occasion
3-Pin framed set depicting the witch from Snow White turning into the hag.
