Hi Brittney and Brady, thank you for taking time out for this interview, expecially while the LA fires burn around you. Please share with our readers what your roles and responsibilities are at Moose? 

BH - I primarily work on the packaging and component design for the Games. On many of our games, I get to start at the very beginning of the process and work closely with game designers to concept a whole visual identity. This includes logo design, theming, package structure, and how each part of the game will impact the overall aesthetic. Although it’s the most time-consuming part of the job, I love when I can fully immerse myself in the process and go on the full journey with the game! I also pride myself on being a go-to dogsitter for my colleagues and head of birthday celebrations! 

BL- I’m the Design Director for the Moose Games team, which means I have input on nearly every part of game development, from game play to product design to package design (though I defer to our talented graphics team on this!).  

 (Brittney accepting the 2024 TAGIE Award Most Innovative Art and Design Visual for Wild Flowers on behalf of both her and Brady)

What has been your biggest “win” in life so far? 

BL- Getting to make games for a living! And also marrying my talented and beautiful wife Sara! (I’m just putting those in the order they happened, not ranking them… 😊) 

BH- One time I won against my incredibly smart, pro-gamer coworkers at an auction style card game called High Society. Any time I can win a game while playing them is an impressive feat. Second to that would probably be the fact that I get to draw and design and create for a living. I feel so lucky to be able to say this is my job! 

Why and how did you get into the toy and game industry? 

BL- In college, I lucked into an internship with a group of toy inventors, then jumped from that to an internship with Hasbro Games. Those two experiences set me on a path to working as a toy designer after I graduated. At my first toy job, I kept pitching game ideas until they let me make some! My first published card game, Big Fish, Li’l Fish, came out in 2005, with more following on the heels of that. From there, I jumped into full-time game design role and have been designing and developing games ever since.  

BH- Falling into the toy world was a happy accident for me. I never went to school for toy or game design – though - I did enroll in a game design course in college, but ended up dropping it! Then as I was looking for the next steps in my career, I knew my dream job would involve design/illustration and creating products or imagery for children. I saw a Graphic Design role open at Moose and decided to take a risk and put myself out there. I’m so glad I did because I’ve loved it since day one. Now I wish I could go back and take that course! 

What advice would you give a young adult graduating from high school or college today? 

BH- Pursue what genuinely excites you and makes you happy! Even if it’s tougher or less traditional than other paths. Hard work and passion will always go a long way. And always keep your mind open when looking at the next steps in your life. You never know when one seemingly random opportunity will turn into something you love! 

BL- I very much agree with Brittney on this. I’ll just add that for a design or arts education, attending a school that has a dedicated internship or co-op program will give you work experiences that truly show you what you do and don’t like to do in a creative workplace.  And critically, you’ll be paid to do it, which is a huge help while in school. Lastly, if you have broad interests in drawing, crafting, and generally just making stuff, consider an industrial design or product design education. It’s a broad degree that teaches you a diverse set of skills that can take you many different places.   

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

BL- Working with amazing and creative people (like Brittney 😊). I’ve spent some time as a solo creator/freelancer, and it’s just not the same as working with a team of great people working together to make something awesome. I look forward to seeing my team every day! For those of us who’ve been doing this awhile, I think the wonderful people in the toys and games business are the reason we’re still here and passionate about making great products. 

BH- Definitely seeing kids (and adults, too!) get excited about the games we’ve poured so much of our creative and emotional energy into for a year. There’s been a few instances that someone in front of me in a check-out line is buying a game I worked on, and it makes me so happy to see them happy. 

What was your favorite toy or game as a child? 

BL- I was all about Lego and G.I. Joe, with lots of time playing video games as well. My family played cards regularly – Euchre, Canasta, Rummy, etc., as well as the dice game 10,000 (Farkle). As I got older, my friends and I got into Dungeons & Dragons and strategy games, which opened the door to a bigger world of gaming and ignited my passion for games.  

BH- I was a huge Littlest Pet Shop kid! I must’ve had almost every pet. As for games, my family wasn’t always a huge board game family, but I have vivid memories playing Perfection and Cranium Cadoo. We each had a different specialty. I’m a creative cat! 

What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day? 

BH- I’m inclined to say Adobe Illustrator since I use that all day, every day. In reality, it’s probably Adobe Help Support for when I hit the wrong button or forget the latest and greatest shortcut. 

BL- Agreed, the entire Adobe Suite. After that, I just have piles and piles of (barely) organized game bits and pieces that I use for prototyping games. You can never have enough bits! 

What music/podcast/show do you listen to when you’re in the creative zone? 

BH- When I’m concepting or sketching new ideas, my go-to is always softer folksy or indie music. When I’m in the zone and deep into a project I love, I’ll most likely be blasting Chappell Roan or SZA. I also love a good pop culture or comedy podcast. 

BL- All kinds of podcasts, and whatever my 8-year-old daughter is listening to in the next room! 

I’m lucky that… 

BL- I get to do something I love for a living, and then get to go home to my amazing wife and daughter. Truly lucky!  

BH- I’m surrounded by the best support system! Even with all the late nights, early mornings, and weekends that my boyfriend can’t rip me away from my desk, he hasn’t complained once. I also convinced my parents that I had to move across the country for a career they had no familiarity with, but they cheered me on through it anyway. I also feel lucky when friends and family tell me they bought a game I worked on just because I worked on it - They are the best!