• Action Figures & Collectibles:
Led the design and development of action figures and collectables for Disney and Nickelodeon brands, guaranteeing top-notch character execution and storytelling. Obtained final approvals from The Walt Disney Company and Nickelodeon for action figures and collector box sets, demonstrating a profound comprehension of branding and licensing approvals.

Key Projects:
• TRON:
Received the 2022 NY Product Design Award for "Best Toys and Collectible Package Design." Managed the full design process from concept to production for electronic arcade-style boxes and collector sets.

• TRON Identity Program:
Led the design of an arcade-style package for the "Customize Your Own TRON-Inspired Action Figure" feature at the Grid Digitization Portal in Tomorrowland, Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Orlando.

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Created illustrations and directed sculptor teams for the Gallery Diorama line, prominently featured on the cover of Previews World #423 in December 2023.

• Rick and Morty, Invader Zim, and Sonic the Hedgehog:
Managed the entire design and development process from initial concept to production, showcasing strong project management skills and the capability to meet tight deadlines.

• Darkwing Duck, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, and Transformers: Conceptualized and designed action figures and collectibles, enhancing product innovation and appeal.

• The Nightmare Before Christmas, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Invincible: Oversaw the design and production of packaging, from concept art to 3D modeling, ensured brand alignment, and secured licensing approvals for Comic-Con exclusive packaging.

Responsible for the development, creation and execution of a variety of Michael Bay's 451 Media Groups brands and graphic novels including but not limited to

• RED DOG Created by Rob Cohen
• BAD MOON RISING Created by Scott Rosenberg
• SIX Created by George Pelecano
• SUNFLOWER Created by Mark Mallouk
• NVRLND Created by Salyers and Mulick
• EXMORTIS Created by The Williams Bros
• SELF STORAGE Created by Clay McLeod Chapman
• HUMBUG Created by AJ Gentile

Comixology link: https://goo.gl/i1Y4Dg

Wrote and directed the animated sequence in Michael Bay’s and Jonathan Liebesman’s 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live action movie .

Helped modernize the classic Sesame Street characters to appeal to a new and growing
market by creating intricate vector illustrations for Sesame Workshop’s style guides. Sesame
Workshop named the brand “Xtreme Muppet's” because of their edgy feel

Coordinated daily development activities and project follow‐ups between production artist, designers, vendors and licensors such as product design and planning, production,
logistics, prototype development and brand approvals.

• Hasbro’s Star Wars Unleashed Aayla Secura action figure, sculpted by Kinetic Underground, was voted number five in the top ten action figures, and “sexiest Star Wars figure” in Toyfare Magazine

Conceptualized innovative new product design concepts and oversaw a staff responsible for
creative development of interactive products, concepts, games, designs, style guides and prototypes

Created and managed “brand teams” to re‐imagine Abrams and Gentile Entertainment and
MEGO’s classic library of properties into 21st century consumer‐friendly, value‐added Entertainment brands.

Led initial analysis and evaluation of licensing opportunities for X‐Plus Co Ltd., including key deal drivers, financial valuations, risks, strategy recommendation and opportunities. David Forrest oversaw a staff responsible for creative development of multiple licensed products and led the negotiation and approval process with licensors such as Universal Studios Japan , Capcom and Namco/Bandai games.

David Forrest co-founded Kinetic Toyz with Steven Lebensfeld co-founder of Toy Biz and associates from T-ink/AGE. However, following an extraordinary launch, Steve Lebensfeld unexpectedly passed away. Steven Lebensfeld was co-founder of Toybiz, Toymax International, Jakks Pacific and Monogram International and T-ink. He was successful in taking each of the companies that he established public.

• Developed and deployed business strategies and plans.

• Built and enhanced high-level relationships with both domestic and international development groups, third party suppliers, first parties, and key strategic businesses

• Engaged with a large base of local and international clients and vendors

• Coordinated with customers, design houses, vendors, and internal departments on design and development issues

• Conducted market research and trend analysis to ensure products were competitive in the market.

• Explored new business opportunities to maximize sales and distribution opportunities with customers and worked closely with vendors and licensors to achieve long-term growth and market development objectives

• Balanced the costs and benefits of various technological and manufacturing-driven initiatives to maintain profit

Kinetic Komicz is the independent comic book publishing subsidiary of Kinetic Underground Inc. In February 2006, Kinetics Komicz’s Capcom's Killer7 topped the charts as one of the top 50 independent comic book titles. The first issue published by Kinetic Komicz was an exclusive printing of Capcom's Killer7 for GameStop and EB Games.

• Created the first digital distribution platform for comic books and graphic novels www.ComicCasts.com

Russ Berrie/Applause is an importer, marketer, and distributor of infant and juvenile gift consumer products. Russ Berrie partnered with the International Star Registry and Abrams and Gentile Entertainment to develop the new Shining Stars plush toys and virtual world. Kinetic Underground worked closely with Abrams and Gentile Entertainment on Shining Stars since the initial offering from Mattel. David Forrest and Kinetic Underground assisted in product designs, storyboards for commercials, and oversaw a staff responsible for creative development of multiple virtual world products, concepts, games and designs.

• Color key artist for Dylan Sprouse’s toy “Scuba Steve” in Adam Sandler’s movie Big Daddy

• Produced engaging multimedia presentations, videos, and interactive product samples for client meetings and conventions

• Utilized the Frank Reilly painting technique to paint various toy prototypes

• Created digital animatics with rough dialogue and soundtracks

• Sound design and manipulation of audio elements to achieve the desired time loop for all of Art Asylum toys with sound chips including licensed toys from Fun 4 All of Iron Maiden, KISS and Ozzy Osborne

• Photographed reference for the Kiss Love Gun packaging and marketing materials

• Created the new look of the characters’ brand names for the band KISS

• Website creation from the design phase through completion, including the design, layout, and coding of the initial Art Asylum and Aztech Toyz web sites

• Fulfilled different roles for designers and illustrators when they were unavailable to work

• Layout, clean-up, and digital inking in Adobe Illustrator for the Li'l Pet Hospital children’s book series

• Production Design for the S.U.M.O Ultimate Masters Organization

• Photographed talent for marketing materials

• ESPN telecasted two one-hour specials, back to back, featuring all the action and excitement of the world S.U.M.O challenge at Madison Square Garden on October 22, 2005

Nyla, an upscale restaurant Britney Spears co-owned with New York restaurateur Bobby Ochs in the Dylan Hotel on E. 41st.

• Digitally manipulated graphics, video, rhythm and music to create a synesthetic experience of vision and sound for the patrons of Nyla.

School of Visual Arts, New York, NY 1997 – 2001
Bachelor of Fine Arts