About hand2mind: For more than 60 years, hand2mind has inspired learning through play by creating hands‑on, classroom‑tested materials that help children learn by doing. We’re a growing, family-owned company recognized as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and trusted by teachers and families alike. We create a wide range of educational products—classroom tools like Hands-on Standards®, consumer products for NumberBlocks®, and innovative items like our new BubblePlush™ Yoga Balls. If you’re curious, collaborative, and a kid at heart, you’ll feel right at home here. Join us in shaping the future of learning with our award-winning team! Position Description: As Manager of Product Design on hand2mind’s Design team, you will be responsible for bringing products to life. The Manager of Product Design will manage a team of industrial designers and oversee the entire product design process. This includes setting high standards for industrial design and safety standards; tracking budgets; planning resources effectively; and working cross-functionally with the Product Development and Marketing teams. What you’ll do day to day: Manage and coach a team of Industrial Designers to foster creativity and ensure new products are developed within budget Oversee the industrial design process, encouraging innovative brainstorming, sketches, mockups, 3D CAD, and renderings Balance workload among the team and freelancers, adapting to the business’s evolving needs throughout the year Collaborate with Product Development, Marketing, and Sales to shape go-to-market strategies Manage or support product revamps as needed throughout the year Participate as an integral part of the Product Development Leadership Team, demonstrating flexibility to take on projects as needed What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives): Develop fluency of project management workflow in Monday.com within 3 months Within in the first 90 days, assess current design projects and establish a prioritization based on company goals and key deliverables. Oversee and contribute to industrial design of 25-40 new products within the first 12 months. Within the first 6 months, audit the design process and propose initiatives to integrate more continuous improvement and testing. Act as a primary liaison with other departments (such as Product Development, Marketing, and Sales), setting up check-ins and collaborative sessions as needed. Continually develop management skills, attending 3-5 training sessions per year. Requirements/Preferences: BS/BA in Industrial Design, Toy Design or equivalent 8-10 years of consumer product development experience in the toy and game industry Excellent sketching, rendering, and graphic design skills Able to meet multiple, challenging deadlines and work within budgets Excellent at solving problems creatively and/or knowing when to seek help Proficient in Adobe Creative suite, specifically Illustrator and Photoshop Proficient in 3D CAD (Rhinoceros preferred), KeyShot and 3D printing Intimately familiar with plastic materials and general manufacturing process Able to effectively communicate with key stakeholders including colleagues, executive team, vendors, and customers Portfolio demonstrating innovative thinking with on-trend designs in consumer products, preferably with some toy design Travel to tradeshows 1-2 times per year Travel to China up to 1 time per year We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer. Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time. Compensation Range: $125,000 – $132,000 annual salary – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set and location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here). Link to apply: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=3567c614-8788-4585-996b-e1d21e260258&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=548383&lang=en_US
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Jasey’s Toy Chest announced that its On-the-Go Wooden Workbench has been named a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Toy Awards within the Baby & Toddler category. “To be recognized by Good Housekeeping, a name families have trusted for generations, is an incredible honor for a company in its very first year,” said Brian Bernstein, Founder and CEO of Jasey’s Toy Chest. “We pour so much care into making toys that are built to last and full of play value, and to have that recognized by the Good Housekeeping Institute means the world to our family.”
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“It was such a special and fun night bringing together the toy industry and the comedy world. Both are in the smile business, bringing joy, laughter, and connection to people around the world! A huge thank you to Mary Couzin and Bob Fuhrer for bringing everyone together, and to Howie Mandel, Kevin Nealon, Elon Gold, Caroline Rhea, Chris Spencer, and Nikki Osborne for filling the evening with laughter and making it so memorable!”  -David Fuhrer - President, The Laugh Factory     Comedy Stars Celebrate LA Fall Preview with the Toy Industry on Toy Night at the Laugh Factory!     "Great night!" - Matt Nuccio      "Such a great night!" - Rich Thurber     "I sure enjoyed this evening!" -Julien Sharp     "So fun!! Thanks, for the good times David, Bob and Mary!" - Jon Vanderbeek                                                                                
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These are highly interactive games where the fun of the game is CENTERED on the emotional highs and lows of doing terrible things to the other players; ie hindering their forward progress in a game. Stealing, forcing discards, losing points, turns or resources, nullifying actions or other reversals of fortunes are all common "Take That" mechanics found in these games.
Submitted by Curt Covert