Squishmallows × McDonald's

Product Design | Brand Collaboration

Product Design | Brand Collaboration

2024

Who?

Squishmallows is a collectible plush brand known for its soft, rounded designs, often compared to Ty Beanie Babies due to its wide variety and rarity-based releases. At the height of its popularity (2020–2023), McDonald’s partnered with the brand to offer mini Squishmallows in Happy Meals, featuring randomized collectible designs.

Why?

This project relaunches the Squishmallows × McDonald’s partnership, but through “State Squishmallows,” a collection of 50 state-themed plush toys released over ten weeks to encourage repeat purchases and collector engagement. As a pivot, I developed a smaller-scale concept featuring nine planet-themed Squishmallows released over two weeks, maintaining the same collectible appeal in a more streamlined format.

How?

Each design incorporates elements like state animals, state seals, and symbolic accessories, along with custom names and bios that reflect their identities; the same approach is applied to the planet-themed series. The project also includes collectible sticker sheets to track progress and campaigns promoting both the state and planet collections.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This project demonstrates my use of AI as a tool to help bring ideas to life. I believe in full and clear disclosure of AI use throughout my portfolio. AI was used only for the base 3D renderings, while all core designs, edits, and final compositions were created by me.

TL;DR Goals:

Proof of Concept Product Design Deliverables Brand Collaboration Awareness Advertisements Pivot AI

Name: Mitchell (the Michigander)
Bio: During the warm months, Mitchell dedicates himself to his construction management job, working hard to help build new shiny roads all across the state, all the time! He’s a hard worker with great dedication, which carries over to the snowy months when he kicks off his expert skiing skills on the slopes! He’s got the skills to flip, kick, and stick the landing every time. His friends say he could have gone pro if he wasn’t so determined on fixing our roads!
Name: Happy (the Hawaiian)
Bio: Loved by all and known by many, Happy spends his days making fresh lattes, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, and more at his oceanfront café. Ever since he was a kid, it was his dream to own his mother’s shop when he grew older! Now that his dream has come true, he spends each day peaceful and content, spreading joy to all who come to his café! P.S., locals say, if you bring Happy a beautiful sea shell from the beach, he’ll give you a free pastry on him!
Name: Callahan (the Californian)
Bio: If you’re looking for a good connection, you’re meeting the right guy. This is Callaham: the greatest film director of this generation. Best known for his groundbreaking plots and aesthetic styles winning him enough awards to line his shelves with gold! The real reason we love him, though? He always makes sure to fill his cast with new, upcoming actors and actresses in order to help fellow Californian dreamers achieve their goals! He was once a beginner too; he knows how it is.
Name: Newman (the New Yorker)
Bio: Ring Ring! It's 7:00A.M, time to wake up! After a productive morning, Newman can be found in his desk monitoring the latest stock market updates! This successful stock trader knows all the tips and tricks to a lucrative portfolio. Although his job career sounds like a drag, this bright-eyed guy works to live, not lives to work! He makes sure to spend his free time out with friends, partying it up in the big city to its fullest potential. Want to have some fun?
Name: Ernie
Bio: Are you looking for a friend to star watch with? Ernie the astronomer is always down to do just that; as long as you’re okay with the occasional conversations about his ambitions, theories, conspiracies, dreams, and...well, he’s actually quite the talker, but that’s what makes him such a cool friend. He’s passionate about the stars, and more so about what lays beyond them. This dreamer is forever determined to discover the mysteries of life with his head in the clouds, but at the same time, he never forgets to appreciate his home planet and the friends he’s made on it.
Name: Selena
Bio: Meet Selena, a professional jeweler known best for her gorgeous and unique engagement ring designs. Every day, she works slowly and meticulously on her next piece, guaranteed to make the soon-to-be owner happy. It's not often that you’ll see her out of her workshop, but when you do, she’ll often be out playing frisbee with her friends, or painting a beautiful picture. Those closest to her say she often comes off cold when first meeting new people, but if you give her time, she’ll prove herself to be a storm of color sure to bring joy to your galaxy!

Regera

Brand Design | UX Design

Regera
Brand Design | UX Design