Tyler Ham

Product Development Lead (fractional) - Jason Universe & Beyond @ Horror, Inc.

About

For more than two decades, my work has focused on shaping story, design, and creative direction into franchises that scale across film, animation, publishing, and consumer products. I’ve done this work across globally recognized brands including Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Lucasfilm, SEGA, and Netflix, as well as early-stage ventures, always with an eye toward long-term creative and commercial viability. My career often begins at the earliest stage of an idea, assessing potential and defining direction before helping assemble the teams, partnerships, and creative systems needed to support growth at scale. I bring a structured, strategic approach to creativity and am known for being collaborative, decisive, and steady in complex, high-pressure environments where clarity matters. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: • Scaled a direct-to-consumer business from $0 to $2.5M annually within 24 months  • Delivered 50+ premium consumer product SKUs in 26 months, driving 100% of company revenue • Reduced per-unit production costs by 20% while maintaining sub-2% return rates  • Guided legacy and early-stage IP through transitional phases, aligning story, product, and licensing strategy for long-term scalability Outside of work, I’m usually writing, hunting for vintage toys and comic books, watching horror films, or deep-diving into genealogy. I’m fascinated by how stories endure, how objects carry meaning, and how culture evolves when people care enough to build it thoughtfully. If you’re building something ambitious and need a creative leader who balances vision with execution, I’d love to connect. Reach out at tyler@tylerham.com. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬: Franchise & IP Strategy | Executive Creative Leadership | Story & Worldbuilding | Licensed Consumer Products | Creative Direction (2D & 3D) | Brand Stewardship | GTM Strategy | DTC Business Models | Licensing & Partnerships | Team Leadership & Mentorship | Market Fit Analysis | Cross-Functional Leadership | Creative Operations | Design Systems | IP Incubation

Country

United States

City

Bend

Industry

Media Production

Skill

Brand Management, Game Environment Design, Level Layout, Team Collaboration, Asset Creation, Real-Time Production, Match Animation, Feature Film VFX, Technical Precision, Shot Integration, Studio Collaboration, Matchmove, Performance Optimization, Commercial VFX, Feature Film Support, Shot Accuracy, Previsualization, Department Leadership, Shot Design, Feature VFX, Artist Mentorship, On-Set VFX Supervision, Production Collaboration, Visual Reference Capture, Pipeline Coordination, Feature Film Production, Cinematic Layout, Team Leadership, Visual Storytelling, Camera Design, Feature Animation, Licensed Product Development, Production Management, Cost Reduction Strategy, 3D Prototyping, Licensor Relations, Brand Stewardship, Global Licensing, Style Guide Development, Broadcast Collaboration, Franchise Management, Additive Manufacturing, Product Innovation, Pipeline Optimization, Licensing Strategy, Emerging Tech, Fractional Leadership, Business Transformation, GTM Strategy, Client Advisory, Creative Operations, IP Incubation, Franchise Evaluation, Advisory Board Leadership, Early-Stage Strategy, Creative Due Diligence, DTC Strategy, Licensed Manufacturing, Team Leadership, Cost Optimization, Studio Relations, Executive Leadership, Licensing & Partnership Strategy, Brand Strategy, Toy Product Innovation , Intellectual Property Strategy, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Product Development

Experience

Product Development Lead (fractional) - Jason Universe & Beyond

Horror, Inc.

2026-3 - Present · 7 mos

• Drive product strategy and development for licensed merchandise within the iconic Friday the 13th franchise • Serve as a key steward of brand integrity across global licensing partners • Guide creative direction, approvals, and quality standards to elevate franchise presence at retail

Founder & Creative Director

Tyler Ham - Creative Consultant

2015-1 - Present · 11 yrs 9 mos

Bend, OR & San Francisco, CA

Built and led a creative consultancy providing fractional Head of Creative leadership to entertainment, publishing, and consumer product companies. Highlights: • Advised 25+ clients on story, product, and GTM strategy  • Led a 36-month transformation for a legacy toy brand, cutting concept-to-shelf time by 70%  • Built a collectibles division for a $40M publisher, launching 100+ SKUs  • Served as fractional Head of Creative for 10+ businesses  • Led and managed cross-disciplinary creative teams • Contributed to campaigns for The NBA, The Superbowl, Ford Motors, Sony, Verizon, and Netflix

Creative Director

Paragon FX Group

2020-3 - 2025-3 · 5 yrs 1 mo

As a founding leader, helped define the company’s creative vision while building a profitable, licensed consumer products business from the ground up. Highlights: • Scaled revenue from $0 to $2.5M annually within 24 months  • Built and launched a DTC division delivering 50+ premium SKUs in 26 months  • Led licensing partnerships across 10 major studios  • Negotiated domestic and international production, cutting unit costs by 20%  • Mentored 7 artists; achieved ~100% first-round studio approvals  • Served as company spokesperson at media and industry events  • Led and managed creative teams across design, development, and production

Creative Director, 3D Design

Facebook

2015-9 - 2017-8 · 2 yrs

San Francisco Bay Area

Oversaw creative direction and product innovation for licensed 3D-printed collectibles, introducing entirely new production and distribution models. Highlights: • Pioneered the first licensed print-on-demand 3D collectible line  • Launched 40+ SKUs with zero inventory risk  • Reduced production timelines and departmental costs by 75%  • Led cross-functional teams across creative, tech, and licensing

Art Director, Licensing and Animated Programing

Sega of America, Inc.

2014-4 - 2015-4 · 1 yr 1 mo

San Francisco Bay Area (office closed June 2015)

Led creative stewardship for Sonic the Hedgehog across licensing, animation, and consumer products in North America. Highlights: • Developed global brand style guides used by 100+ licensees  • Reduced approval timelines by 60%  • Supported Sonic Boom’s broadcast success across 100+ countries  • Sole U.S. art director trusted with global brand integrity

Associate Creative Director - Licensed Collectibles

Factory Entertainment

2012-2 - 2014-3 · 2 yrs 2 mos

San Francisco Bay Area

Brought on after several months of consulting to step into a full-time creative leadership role, managing multiple licensed collectible programs simultaneously across development, approvals, and manufacturing. Highlights: • Served as project manager and product developer on multiple best-selling licensed collectibles  • Directed end-to-end production from concept books through licensor approvals and overseas manufacturing  • Managed internal and external art resources across dozens of active licenses  • Reduced development costs by $100,000 over two years by bringing 3D prototyping in-house  • Worked across a wide portfolio of entertainment and media licenses • Conceived and developed a new collectible form factor, “Metal Miniatures," modernizing the classic "lead soldier" style with pop culture characters, securing Marvel and DC figural licenses, and influencing a broader industry trend

3D Animation Final Layout Artist

DreamWorks Animation

2010-8 - 2012-2 · 1 yr 7 mos

Redwood City, Ca.

During an 18-month contract, helped bring cinematic sequences to life by shaping camera language, scene composition, and story clarity in close collaboration with directors and department leads. Highlights: • Led small teams of artists to deliver final layout sequences for feature and short-form animation  • Collaborated with directors, cinematographers, and set designers to translate story into motion  • Delivered action-driven sequences for a major theatrical release  • Developed set design and scene layout based on concept art and narrative direction Filmography:  ► Madagascar 3  ► Scared Shrekless (Short)  ► Megamind: The Button of Doom (Short)

On-Set Visual Effects Reference Supervisor

The Walt Disney Company

2009-3 - 2009-7 · 5 mos

New York, NY

Recruited to support the visual effects team on a live-action feature, ensuring continuity and accuracy between production and post-production VFX pipelines. Highlights: • Collaborated directly with the VFX Supervisor and Producer to define VFX requirements  • Worked alongside the script supervisor to maintain camera data and scene continuity  • Captured and organized on-set visual reference to support downstream VFX work

3D Visual Effects Layout Artist

Industrial Light & Magic

2005-10 - 2008-10 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Produced complex 3D layouts and previs for high-profile feature films while contributing as both an individual artist and departmental leader. Highlights: • Significant contributions to the "Best Visual Effects" 2007 Academy Award winning Pirates of the Caribbean 2 team • Created advanced 3D layouts, camera matches, CG camera work, and shot blocking  • Recognized as a top-performing artist on two major franchise films  • Served as team lead for a 20-person department when needed, mentoring junior artists  • Supported multiple art departments across large-scale productions Filmography:  ► Pirates of the Caribbean 2 (Academy Award Winner, Best VFX) ► Pirates of the Caribbean 3  (Academy Award Nominated, Best VFX) ► Indiana Jones 4  (Academy Award Nominated, Best VFX) ► Rush Hour 3  ► Iron Man  (Academy Award Nominated, Best VFX) ► The Nightmare Before Christmas (3D Conversion)  ► Star Trek

3D Matchmove Artist

Giant Killer Robots

2005-2 - 2005-8 · 7 mos

San Francisco, California, United States

Delivered high-volume, high-accuracy matchmove work for feature film and commercial projects. Highlights: • Recognized as the highest-producing artist in the department  • Delivered matchmove work for a major superhero feature  • Supported branded commercial tie-ins connected to theatrical releases Filmography:  ► Fantastic Four  ► Fantastic Four Commercial Tie-Ins