Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Mendoza
Hi Carlos , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Currently living in NJ, but I’m originally from Los Angeles. I have been in L.A all my professional career. I’m a seasoned Art Director, conceptual illustrator, and product designer with a deep-rooted passion for the world of art and design. My career has spanned over 18 years in the toy and product development industry, where I have had the privilege of working on diverse and exciting projects.
I began my journey in the collectible diecast industry, at Jada toys. This early experience ignited my passion for street art, car culture, and toy design. These interests have shaped my artistic style, allowing me to create unique and standout designs.
As my career evolved, I ventured into the realm of online gaming, where I got my first experience as a concept artist and a love for character design. The opportunity to bring imaginative ideas to life through my art was incredibly fulfilling. It wasn’t long after I ventured into the major toy companies, including Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, Spin Master, Maisto and Alpha, where I was entrusted with the responsibility of designing toys for major brands.
As I grew in my field, I have had the honor of leading design and development teams across a wide spectrum of renowned brands, such as Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, DC, Subway Surfer, and Nickelodeon’s beloved SpongeBob SquarePants to name a few. Collaborating on these iconic brands has allowed me to contribute my artistic vision and bring beloved characters to life in toy form.
Currently, I am the Design Director at Spirit Halloween. In this role, I oversee the artistic direction for the Hardline’s team and work closely with a talented team of designers, developing unique life-size Animatronics, Horror decor, Mask designs, and Prop weapons and a few other categories. We enjoy designing visually creepy and fun products that enhance the Halloween experience.
Beyond my professional work, I have a passion for bringing creative individuals together. This led me to establish the Artisan Social Club (ASC), a non-profit organization aimed at fostering collaboration and learning among artists and designers from all backgrounds. Through ASC, I provide a platform for artists and designers of all levels to network and learn from industry professionals in various creative fields. Additionally, all our volunteer mentors are industry Pros and are dedicated to helping students in art schools and struggling artists / designers by offering guidance to those in need of creative direction.
Each day, I am grateful for the opportunity to bring joy, mentorship to people through my art and experience. I look forward to continuing to push boundaries and create innovative designs that inspire audiences worldwide.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
That’s a great Question, Geez…where do I begin? I remember a particular moment early in my toy career that was both embarrassing and challenging. It was a time when rejection seemed to be the only response I received, leaving me questioning my worth as a toy designer. But little did I know, this moment of hardship would ultimately lead me to a path of resilience and success.
I had poured my heart and soul into my work, honing my skills and developing a unique artistic style. With great excitement and anticipation, I presented my portfolio to a prominent toy company, hoping to secure a position as a toy designer. However, the reaction I received was far from what I had expected.
Phrases like “You’re not a toy designer! We don’t need your opinion, you didn’t go to school for toy design,” one CEO exclaimed, dismissing my ideas as insignificant in a team meeting and another said, “You’re a Tier 1 artist at best, not sure why they hired you for this project”, and many others at different times. The criticism continued to pour in, leaving me devastated and doubting my abilities.
One particularly disheartening moment came when a Director scoffed at my portfolio, proclaiming,” “This portfolio is not yours, did you even draw this!” It felt as if my dreams were being shattered right before my eyes. The weight of those words lingered with me, fueling self-doubt and making me question my artistic talent.
But rather than allowing these rejections to define me, I made a conscious decision to use them as motivation to prove myself. I dedicated countless hours to honing my craft, seeking guidance from mentors and learning from industry professionals. I embraced constructive criticism and used it as an opportunity to grow and evolve. I immersed myself in the world of toy design, absorbing inspiration from various sources and continuously challenging myself to push beyond my comfort zone.
Slowly but surely, my perseverance began to pay off. My designs started to gain recognition, and I began to receive positive feedback from colleagues and industry giants. The turning point came when I was nominated for the prestigious Toy Designer of the Year award in 2019 in the license category, from Mojo Nation UK. It was a moment of validation and triumph that I will never forget.
So, to anyone who has faced rejection or felt the sting of criticism, remember that it is not the end of your story. Embrace those moments as opportunities for growth and use them as fuel to propel yourself towards your dreams. NEVER, feel like you can’t sit at the table with the greats, because there is an empty seat next to me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an artist & designer, I specialize in character design. My style is deeply rooted in my fascination with fantasy art, storytelling, and the expressive nature of characters. I find myself captivated by the realms of Dark fantasy with a touch of Humor and exaggeration. Drawing inspiration from my background in street art, I bring a unique perspective to my work. This fusion of street art and fantasy allows me to create a distinct style that combines realistic fantasy elements with stylized characters, resulting in a unique and playful look to my Art.
I’m most proud of my character Portrait art because it allows for fun and unique expression in my work without saying a word. I would say, what sets me apart is the stylized look to my unique character. They have a fun Whimsical and dark side to them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck? I feel Strongly that God put me in tough and bad situations to strengthen me in the weakest moments of my journey. Building me up from the bottom, and carried me through the lowest valley of this tough and many times unforgiving industry. I feel I was given a passion to draw, and the rejections and negative comments were not “bad Luck” But rather my training to build tough skin and not take things personally. This is what a Marine or Navy Seal goes through, That is not “bad Luck” but training to be the best in their field. I feel School could never have taught me that. Hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to move forward will get anyone anywhere. So with the Journey I’ve had, I can now walk into any room with my portfolio and resume in hand, confidently. So I would say, Luck played No part.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.
artstation.com/carlos3mendoza - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/carlos3art - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/@carlosmendozaiii712 - Other: https://www.youtube.
com/@artisansocialclub 
Image Credits
Thanks to Andrea Mendoza @Andi.FineFocus on IG
