Before he could hold a fork Jeff Falerni had a pencil in his hand.

Born in the Bronx NY, Jeff was heavily influenced by the graffiti movement of the early 80's. Neighborhood streets, walls and buildings became his classroom – the canvas of an artistic movement literally taking shape all around him.

At the Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota Florida Jeff tempered his natural talent with the discipline of traditional fine arts. It was during these formative years that Jeff began to take influence from the figural masters. He studied the work of such artist as Sargent, Schiele, Renior, and Degas. Embracing the masters that inspired him while remaining true to his early urban roots Jeff began to develop a a creative, youthful and unique style entirely his own.

In 1999 Jeff returned to his native NYC and began employment as a toy designer with the Idea Factory. He soon established himself as one of team of select designers who conceived and designed hundreds of toys for such clients as Disney, Marvel and Universal Studios.

In 2001 Jeff accepted the position of Art Director/Product Manager at Yanova Inc., a NYC Based Product Design Firm. At Yanova Jeff had the opportunity to further develop his concept and design skills.

Today Jeff works in a number of different media, both traditional and digital, often blending the two in a fresh and inspired way.

Jeff is available on a freelance basis or consulting capacity for toy design, product sourcing & product management or freelance illustration. View his resume below, or click here for a printable (PDF) version.

JEFF FALERNI
WWW.JFALERNI.COM

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• Experienced designer of numerous licensed plush and plastic products as well as original toys and characters.
• Has managed all stages of product life cycle from initial concept-and-design phase to completion, manufacturing & marketing.
• Worked in Hong Kong dealing directly with factories and vendors
• Experience managing teams of artists
• Ideation of various in market items with proven sales records
• Worked extensively with licensed product often dealing directly with the licensor
• Advanced sketching, prototyping and knowledge of toy mechanisms
• Advanced knowledge of industry standard computer design programs
• Self starter with the ability to meet short deadlines, attend to details and work on multiple projects

EXPERIENCE
2001–2003 Yanova Inc. New York, NY
Art Director/ Product manager
Product Design firm specializing in promotional and gift items, as well as custom production.

Worked on such licensed products as Classic Disney, Winnie the Pooh, Monsters Inc, Nightmare Before Christmas, Nickelodeon, Dragon Tales, Rocket Power, Sponge Bob Square Pants, MGA (Bratz), Barbie, and the NBA.
• Directed a small staff of artist and designers.
• Ideation and design of original and licensed products, packaging, and collateral.
• Illustrate, Layout and Design all company advertising and promotion.
• Manage outsourcing of sculptors and sample mold makers.
• Daily contact with Hong Kong based factories to manage production and shipping.
• Overseas product sourcing, primarily in Hong Kong and China.
• Responsible for licensor approval
• Toy Fair experience in both showroom design and construction.
• Display booth design and set up

2000–2001 Idea Factory New York, NY
Product Manager/Lead Designer
Fast growing design company specializing in toys, gifts, premiums, and
custom manufacturing.
• Produced 150 skus licenses including marvel Popeye, Snoopy, Dr. Seuss and many more for Universal Theme Park project
• Worked directly with Disney to create product categories, concept and designs for new product lines including Monsters Inc, Toy Story and Dinosaurs licenses
• Responsible for subcontractor supervision, material acquisition pattern development and cost analysis
• Conceptualized and designed toys, promotional products, packaging, and collateral
• Illustrated story boards for sales team
• Toy Fair experience in both showroom design and construction

1999–2000 Idea Factory New York, NY
Lead Designer
• Lead Plush designer on Plush Product lines including “Meanies” and Star Trek Beanies and WWE
• Promoted in company within 1 year
EDUCATION
1994–1998 Ringling School of Art & Design Sarasota, FL
• Illustration Major
1992–1994 Edison College Naples, FL
• Art History Major

ADDITIONAL SKILLS
• Advanced knowledge of Photoshop, Quark, Illustrator as well as Microsoft Office Product Suite
• Ability to work in a variety of styles and mediums from traditional to digital
• Advanced graphic design capabilities including page layout and package design

JEFF@JFALERNI.COM
725 E. 9TH STREET, APT. 6E • NEW YORK, NY 10009 • PHONE (646) 245-8649