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Nature, Natural, design by nature
Elise Hounslow toy designer

Let's work together!

I'm a sustainably conscious toy designer from London, UK. I've had the opportunity of working for some great companies such as IMC Toys, Hasbro, WOW Toys, and heading up the design team at Xcel Bespoke. My career has allowed me to work on a vast number of projects ranging from Magazine Toys, Technical Garments, Gifts, Social, to top rating Toys & Games and Sustainability Strategy.

Let's see how we can work together!

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Services I specialise in:
  • Toy concept/ invention

  • Toy product design

  • Styling and branding

  • Gameplay and play sequences

  • Unboxing experience

  • Toy and doll illustrations - 3rd angle drawings

  • Social Media Content creation

  • Rendering and colour variations

  • Photoshop

  • 2D animation

  • 3D model making (Solidworks, Rhino, Onshape and Blender)

  • Graphics (box artwork, POS, dielines, posters in 3D photorealistic)

  • Market + trend research

  • Trade show stand 3D and renders 

  • Sustainability Review including LCA

  • Eco Design

  • 3D printing

Get Started with your next best selling toy!

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1. INTRODUCTION CALL (20 minutes) - FREE

From your side it would be great to know:

  • Past experience

  • Involvement in the project expectations

  • Management

  • Team

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Price: FREE

Time: 20 minutes investment

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2. INITIAL CONSULTATION (1 hour)

- 132€ / $150

Ready to jump straight in?

 

We can go through your project, and I'll give you honest feedback and any ideas that come to mind during the call.

 

Included in the consultation:

  • Discuss project and product concept and feasibility

  • Scope out next steps

  • Provide meeting notes and next steps documentation

  • Scope out/refine the brief

  • Provide initial quote/estimate of hours needed

 

For this it would be good to have already thought about (roughly) :​

  • Branding/marketing work done so far.

  • Time frame (if you have one)

  •  Roles - ref. list of services 

  • Budget 

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Price: €132 / $150

Time: 1hr investment

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3. QUICK JOBS

If you just need quick design touchups done or smaller jobs. You can send me directly your briefing document and I'll get back to you with a quote a.s.a.p.​

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Price: on application

3 day turnaround 10% premium

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4. 3D PRINT/PROTOTYPE JOBS

If you're looking for prototypes and you have your design files ready you can send me directly your 3D files/designs and I'll get back to you with a quote a.s.a.p.​

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Price: on application + postage

4 day turnaround 10% premium

Design Process

When working with designers we all have our different ways of working. As I am an Industrial Product Designer with both artistic and technical product development skills I tend to use one of the 2 following design processes, however these can be adapted to your specific needs or I'm happy to follow your design process if you are used to working in a certain way or in cases where I am working with your design team.

Image by Eden Constantino

1/ Define:

Define the project by establishing clear parameters to solve, including fixed boundaries like marketing, RRP, cost price goals, logistics, procurement, regulations, and sustainability goals, as these will impact the design process.

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4/ Initial Concept Development:

 Sketching of form and function to come up with product design offerings. At this point styling can be explored and often is a good time to work with marketing and graphics teams to work on the branding

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7/ 3D Modelling:

After our discussions, I will create the final 3D Product Design Model, considering wall thickness, draft angles, and safety regulations, and send it to the/Factory for adjustments. I can also provide a prototype for you to evaluate the product's feel and appearance.

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10/ Initial Prototype/Sample:

This is the first time the factory is making the product exactly how we want it, however this may not be with the final moulds or printing processes. But with this we can test it and it will look like the real thing, perfect for showing off at Fairs and Toy shows!

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2/ Research:

 Look at existing similar products on the market, compare them and find market fit. Test the market fit through initial concept ideation and concept direction moodboards.

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5/ Product Development:

Once the concept direction is established, we develop initial designs into functional products. Collaborating with factories and suppliers streamlines the process, ensuring clarity and alignment. This teamwork saves time enhances the final product's quality.

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8/ Testing:

At this point the client usually tests the prototype with kids/babies and receives feedback and we amend the design accordingly.

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11/ First Shot Prototype:

This is the first one ever to be made in mass manufacture, with the final moulds and fabrics and printing process. If changes have to be made at this stage it can be costly, so fingers crossed everything goes as planned.

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3/ Concept Direction/Scope: 

Define the concept direction adjusting any parameters as needed. Quote by milestones needed to complete project.

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6/ Design for Manufacture:

We have a solid concept with presentation boards and working prototypes ready factory discussions. I will develop block 3D models and 3D print initial prototypes.

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9/ Final Specification Document: 

Once approved, I will create the final Specification document and Working 3D files for the factory, which is essential to complete within a month for setup, as these documents will guide the factory on colors, shapes, materials, and cutting files

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12/ Off-Boarding:

At this point we usually close the project unless you need help with anything else like unboxing experience or packaging or despec or colour variations for lower cost outlets.

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Or Biomimicry Design Process:

For more natural forms and a sustainable design process, I’ve crafted my own unique Biomimicry process. 🌿 If you're curious to learn more about how this creative approach can lead to groundbreaking inventions and eco-friendly solutions, feel free to email me! Let's explore the wonders of nature together! ✨

Packaging, Unboxing and graphics

Collaborative Design with Trusted Creatives
I work with a trusted network of talented illustrators and graphic designers to bring your toy concepts to life. Whether your project needs character illustration, technical artwork, or packaging graphics, I'll manage the creative team and process from start to finish.
All collaborators work under NDA with clear quotes and timelines established upfront. You get one point of contact and a cohesive design vision from concept through to factory-ready files.

 

Packaging & Unboxing Experience Design
Great packaging does more than protect your product, it creates a memorable first impression and reinforces your brand story. I design packaging that balances shelf appeal, sustainability, and that all-important unboxing moment.
From structural design to print-ready graphics, material selection to technical specifications, I handle the complete packaging process so your product arrives beautifully.


Basic Packaging Design Includes:

  • Structural packaging design

  • Print-ready graphics and dielines

  • Blender renders showing full product turnaround

  • Factory-ready technical specifications

Starting from €450 (custom quoted based on project scope)


For more complex unboxing experiences, premium sustainable materials, or multi-component packaging systems, we can discuss your specific needs during an initial consultation.
Ready to discuss your packaging project?
 

Tracey

 Tracey Small - Senior Director of Product Development

Elise has demonstrated an extraordinary level of proactivity and tenacity in her time at Hasbro. I have been impressed with Elise’s lateral thinking during brainstorms and development meetings. She has consistently gone above and beyond our expectations of what an intern could and should deliver, and as a result has been given responsibility for tasks and projects that would usually be given to seasoned designers. 

Toby

Toby Hextall - Senior Designer

Elise has done well at Fantastic concept generation with strong ideas and thinking. Elise has been very proactive in getting things done and working out ways to solve problems as they come up. She has picked up a rounded understanding of the complexities of working in a multi-disciplinary team, and within the constraints of a very large global corporation. She has taken on more responsibility than the students in the past, and managed it all within her stride.

Richard Haeyes

Richard Heayes - Director of Design

I hired Elise when I was Director of Design at Hasbro. We were looking for smart, self motivated designers who could work alone but also be a dynamic member of a multi disciplinary global team. Elise was a perfect fit and was hired past her placement. She worked on a variety of top tier game brands and added real value to all the projects she was part of. I know she has continued this in her recent jobs as we often catch up at Industry events. I have no hesitation in recommending her

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