Riley Wilkinson
Design - Social Media - Product Development
I’m Riley Wilkinson, a creative director, designer, and inventor with more than 30 years of experience developing products, content, and brand experiences.
My work spans creative direction, product development, writing, and digital content. I bring experience leading creative teams and turning complex ideas into clear, engaging products and content.
I also design and use agentic AI workflows to support research, content repurposing, and project organization in my business. I direct the work, review the results, and make the final creative and publishing decisions.
I’m the inventor of The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game and the creator of Brain Game Theater, where I share games and puzzles through live demonstrations and video.
My Career
For 30+ years I've designed award-winning toys, games, activities, and brain-bending fun. My professional roles include Toy and Game Designer, Creative Director, Art Director, Product Developer, and YouTube game streamer — focused on puzzles, humor, and chaos with purpose. I currently teach toy and game illustration through Character Play at Make Art That Sells.
Clients + Companies
I have designed for industry leaders, including:
Mattel Creations
AARP
Auzou Editions
Skillmatics
Educational Insights
MGA Entertainment
Learning Resources
Maker Media
Lakeshore Learning
McGraw-Hill Educational Publishing
Design + Invention
Inventor of The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game: a preschool classic that has sold over two million copies, garnered 10,000+ five-star reviews, and launched a whole franchise of games and board books. A Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year nominee.
Creator of Mon Puzzle Collaboratif for French publisher Auzou — bringing collaborative puzzle design to an international audience.
Holder of two U.S. design patents for the Elapsed Time Clock and SpinZone Classroom Spinners.
Co-Creator of the My Toy Pitch course with Make Art That Sells, helping artists develop pitch-ready prototypes.
Brain Game Theater
Let’s pretend we’re working.
Brain Game Theater is part performance art, part logic marathon, part weekly public meltdown where the audience yells at the screen and I keep going anyway. Livestream sessions have reached over 500,000 views. The chat does not stay calm.
Brain Game Theater streams live on TikTok and YouTube.
Press + Awards
My work has been featured in Uppercase Magazine, Good Housekeeping, USA Today, Redbook, and Communication Arts. Product awards include Toy of the Year finalist, Parents' Choice silver and gold, a NAPPA award, Dr. Toy's 100 Best winner, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio gold seal, and Creative Child Magazine's Creative Child Award.
