Video & Photographic Arts

Experience: 22-years in the juvenile entertainment industry and having done creative work for companies like Mattel, Spinmaster, Hasbro, Gerber Baby Product and others. Trained in Product Design, I have over 20 electro-mechanical patents covering toys, games, seasonal products and work as a legal consultant for intellectual property disputes, most recently for a Hong Kong-based client. While working at Mattel, I developed R/C vehicles for thye Tyco R/C brand under the T.V. Advertised category helping plan and execute national television commercials and sizzle videos. In 2008, I co-founded the eco-friendly preschool company, Sprig Toys and was nominated for 4 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) and in 2010, accepted the TOTY for the Specialty Toy category. More recently, I worked as the VP of Product Development for Schylling Toys and decided to make a career change to teaching, where I taught Advanced Manufacturing at Great Bay Community College and Industrial Design at NHTI in Concord, NH, currently holding a position of the department's advisory board.

Education/Certificate: I attended two years at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA for general education and have my BFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. I am currently attending Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, seeking my M.Ed. in Leadership. After more than 20-years using creative software, I received my Adobe Associate certificate in 2019.

Other Interests: I enjoy working and staying busy! Weather permitting, I can be found remodeling our c.1800’s house or jacking our sagging barn. From a creative standpoint, I have begun writing and illustrating children’s books, work on creating and submitting toy inventions to toy companies and generally trying to stay busy with my family.

Volunteering: developing biomass, clean-air cook stoves for regions in India and Africa for Colorado State University and Envirofit. Worked on clean water storage and delivery systems for women in India for Ayzh International. Served a 3-year term on the Larimer County Agricultural Advisory Committee in Colorado. I am currently on the Writing Committee for the Media Arts Standards for the NH Department of Education.

Email: Discoe.J@sau54.org