"As a toy designer, there's nothing more exciting than seeing your ideas come to life. The process from initial concept to final product is a long road, so to see your games being produced in the factory in China, right in front of your eyes is a really special feeling. From an initial sense of pride to a real appreciation that so many workers are making such an effort to produce exactly what you envisioned, to a final feeling of relief that the long process was all worth it, and ending with hope that children all over the world will have lots of fun playing with what you've created.

My designs conceived in Holland where I live with my husband and three sons, were being made in China and I was recently invited to visit Ningbo and Yunhe. Ningbo is a major port and industrial hub in east China's Zhejiang province, south of Shanghai and has one of the country's oldest libraries (1516). Yunhe is a county in the south west of Zhejiang Province and has China's largest rice terraces.

The trip to China was an intense experience, there was so much to take in, so much to learn. Soaking up every piece of information was crucial because with all this new knowledge, I can design with less waste, therefore making toys and games more sustainable.

Seeing all the steps necessary that a piece of wood goes through to become a toy is really impressive, and meeting the people involved in making this possible was so heartwarming. They were so willing to show me the process and even allowing me to try it out. Lots of laughing, but that could also be due to my attempt at speaking Chinese.

By far my favourite production process was, without a doubt, the painting of the toys. Not that the process in itself is impressive, there are much more exciting ones, but it's because of the explosion of colours, looking almost like an art installation. It was also really impressive to see the making of a specific Pantone colour, mixed by hand, by an extremely talented worker. 

But above all, the most rewarding part of a very productive week was meeting the people that I work with on a daily basis, that I talk and email to, endlessly, people that always try their hardest to turn my ideas into reality. This is sometimes a tough process but their willingness to keep going and to help solve issues cropping up along the way is one I really appreciate. To be able to talk to them in person and to work together in person was certainly the highlight of this trip.

Now back in the Netherlands and developing new ideas I am in a better position to envision how the toys will be cut, sanded, rounded and painted. 

I get asked often if making toys and games for a living is as cool as it sounds, and yes, it really is!  

I have my dream job but it doesn't mean that it is an easy or simple one. It is creative, it challenges me and fulfills my needs but keeps me on my toe.

I have known from an early age that I wanted to work in a creative field, to create, to develop. I set out to achieve this when at 18 I moved from my hometown of Cascais in Portugal to Kent in the UK to do an Art & Design foundation course. As soon as I arrived, I felt I belonged. I knew this was for me. This move was the start of my journey. I was on my own. I had left my home, my family, and my friends. I was so ready for this freedom and already felt a sense of achievement. I looked the part; dyed my hair bright red, and painted the tips of my Doc Martins every morning to match my t-shirts. This one-year course was fantastic and a huge learning phase in my life but my true mission was to study full-time at Central Saint Martins, College of Art & Design in London - a dream that seemed unachievable as back then the acceptance rate was around 5%. I told my professors this was my objective, thinking I would be supported in the application process but quite the contrary happened. I was advised not to apply; I was told only outstanding students get in and that I needed to be realistic. This made me question myself as this was coming from people who know better. I needed to set myself challenges that I would be able to achieve and not spend time on unrealistic aims. I went home feeling extremely down and at night couldn't sleep. The thought that my path, which seemed so clear in my mind, had been squashed so quickly, was hard to process. As I lay in my misery, staring into what seemed a blank void but was my ceiling, I saw a line forming. A crack that seemed to appear out of nowhere, and just kept going. Not that I wanted to be dramatic but I jumped out of bed and quickly left my room, calling over my housemates with what seemed a very silly story. But within a few seconds, the ceiling caved in. Bricks and cement fell with a thump not only on the floor but my bed, and my pillow, where I had been lying just seconds before. Needless to say, this was not a good day for me. I don't believe in signs but if I did, this would have been one. A sign to live life to the fullest because who knows how long we will be around, and who knows when the ceiling might, well, cave in. 

As time went by it was clear to me that there was no chance, I was just going to abandon my path, instead, I was going to work harder, be more persistent and dedicated myself to achieving my goal. I was determined to apply to Central St Martins. I had friends that were also doing so, with the support of the school and teachers, I on the other hand was doing it secretly, on my own. I also didn't feel the need to look like an art student anymore, I wasn´t artsy and that was OK. I had grown into myself and felt comfortable just being me. I didn't need to look like one to be one. This ended up making me stand out even more as I was almost too normal in my jeans and T-shirt.

The day of the interview arrived and off I went to Covent Garden in London. Creativity was in the air and I couldn't help but smile. I was nervous but happy. I had worked so hard on my portfolio. I had missed parties and trips and felt it was all worth it at this precise moment. I don't know if it was just the feeling or if I was actually skipping down the road when I bumped into a gigantic long line of portfolio-holding students. My smile evaporated. I was shocked at how many people there were. All looking extremely confident. Should I have listened to my teachers? Was I being naïve? I wanted to look inside their portfolios and see what remarkable and outstanding portfolios looked like. There were no mobile phones then so I was alone in my thoughts and fears but I didn´t even consider leaving. I was there for whatever would happen. I would learn something from being outside my comfort bubble. I didn't know how to answer when my parents asked me how it went. I honestly had no clue. I would have to wait for a letter to arrive in the mail as there was no email then. The letter would state either that I was not accepted or that I was, this was always accompanied by a minimum grade requisite so I was back to working very hard to get the highest grades possible. I woke up checking the mailbox and went to bed doing the same and then one day, there it was, I can still feel the excitement, the nervousness, the little smile accompanied by a little fear of opening that important letter. I had not told my eleven housemates that I had applied so I opened the envelope. I was in. I had believed in myself, I had worked hard, dedicated myself but to be accepted was still a shock. I called my father, his assistant answered and said he was in an important meeting and asked if it was important and I said yes, loud and proud. He came to the phone and asked what was wrong but nothing was wrong, I told him I was in and he was beyond happy for me. My mother cried with happiness and pride and said she knew all along I would get in. The truth was that she believed I would dedicate myself so much that there was no other outcome possible. 

In London, I was taught and mentored by the most amazing professionals. I met such creative people, some that are now famous and excelling in their area and known all over the world. I was privileged to have them as my peers. My study time in London was without a doubt, sensational. The reason Central Saint Martins is prestigious is not only because of the outstanding professors or the teaching methods but also because of the acceptance of all that is different. It is celebrated rather than frowned upon.

With the support of the university, I was one of a group of eight students who participated in a design project where every week we would visit Wandsworth Men's Prison, where all kinds of criminals were housed. Most of them were in for a long time due to the gravity of their crimes, which included murderers. On the first visit, we had to be instructed on what to do if a riot started while we were there or if we were taken. We received many instructions. With all security measures in place, I started working closely with the group of prisoners and it was such a beautiful experience. The project was to help design a programme for illiterate fathers to help them better communicate with their children. Funny how they all became less scary when they took on their role as fathers. Their need and want to be good fathers meant they would have to behave, for lack of a better word. 

During my studies, I had seen a work advertisement for a position where the job description included "having and developing ideas". I wanted it. I did. I was going to apply and prepare for the interview but there was not an interview per se. A group of students and young professionals from all different creative areas were invited at the same time for a selection day. There were all sorts of challenges and none of them seemed like a "test" to having good ideas. The challenges went quickly, some were fun but others were quite difficult. Not knowing what they were looking for, one couldn't perform to achieve it. After a long day it was time to leave and as everyone was doing so, thinking they would later let us know the outcome they casually called me back in, I thought I might have left my umbrella behind but it was to offer me the position. A real, creative paid job. How cool was that? These were the moments when I thought I was right to put myself out there, to try, to accept rejection as an option, to not feel scared, and to put in hard work. Something would always come out of it, like learning how to deal with rejection. In this job, I learned a lot, and I worked hard but luck is part of it, too. I have worked alongside extremely generous people. People are willing to teach me, to show me the way. For this, I am extremely grateful. 

As my studies were coming to an end, I felt the need to do something more, something that was not about me. I had lived such a privileged life. Not just because I was financially secure, but more so that I had always been very loved and respected. I wanted to reciprocate to those who might not have been so lucky. I decided to go to Africa and help wherever help was needed. But that is another story.  

Back to creating toys. The other day I was asked: What happens if you run out of ideas. That's your job. How can you have one idea after another, and keep going? That's a legitimate question but one that is answered easily. There are never-ending ideas. The question is how to develop an idea into a fun, successful game or toy. That can indeed be a challenge and probably what helps keep me on my toes. To have a little idea developed into something physical so that another person can have fun with it is not always an easy brief. Add the age restriction, material restriction, cost restriction, and size restriction and it becomes that much more challenging. But that's exactly what it is, a challenge and one I gladly take on. I like my job, not because it's easy or simply fun but because I like to feel the pressure of performing at my best, to push myself, and to feel that with hard work and determination, I can reach further. I believe if you are good at what you love doing it gives you an advantage. It is very different if you are simply doing it as a job. I am very happy to be able to do something that I am proud of. I feel blessed and extremely lucky. Luck is for sure a factor. I am lucky that I work in a team of people who are supportive rather than competitive against each other; who help each other out rather than try to stand out by pointing out other´s failures; A team that works collectively towards the same objective and celebrates each other's successes. 

As a toy designer, there's nothing more exciting than seeing your ideas come to life. The process from initial concept to final product is a long road, so to see your game being produced in the factory is a really special feeling. Thank you China. From an initial sense of pride to a real appreciation that so many workers are making such an effort to produce exactly what you envisioned, to a final feeling of relief that the long process was all worth it, and ending with the hope that children all over the world will have lots of fun playing with it.

My trip to China last year started with an impressive welcome, my first of many introductions to Chinese culture. A reception beyond any expectations. From cakes with the company logo to balloons spelling the company name. This type of courtesy and the willingness to make my experience a special one was felt throughout the week. There was never a moment where my needs were not met and exceeded. In every meeting, there was always a big platter of local fruits, gorgeously presented a small detail of their beautiful culture. My Chinese colleagues were so appreciative that I had travelled all the way from Holland to their country and therefore felt it was their responsibility to make my stay seamless. The trip to China was an intense experience, there was so much to take in, and so much to learn. Soaking up every piece of information was crucial.  Meeting the people involved in making this possible was so heartwarming. There are many qualities I admire in my Chinese co-worker's culture but above all I admire their almost unreal sense of loyalty. This is instilled in them from a young age and it´s very special to be at the receiving end of such kindness and hard work. 

Now back in the Netherlands developing new ideas and envisioning how they will be developed  I do it with the knowledge I gather through work and visiting the factories there.

In Holland along with my colleague, we mentor the international Industrial design course students at the Science University in the Hague. As a mentor to the first-year industrial design students, my role is to create a brief and then guide and support the students in the creation of a new toy. I am present at strategic times and assist with design principles, discuss trends and innovations, and provide practical advice on branding, prototyping methods, materials selection, and manufacturing processes. As it's an international course, I try to provide motivation, encouragement, and emotional support to help students build confidence and overcome obstacles they encounter. The students are the same age as my three sons so I am a little more understanding and empathetic. I do so in the hope that the same will be offered to my boys in return because I believe that what goes around comes around."

Filipa spoke to Marie Benoît (to whom she is related by marriage)

Filipa won several awards among the most important

2022 Winner Toy of the year Netherlands - Category Outdoor

Game: The Thief;

2022 Winner Toy of the year Belgium - Category Toddler games

Game: Treasure hunt

2022 Winner Toy of the year Poland - Category Outdoor 

Game: Ninja Launcher

2022 Winner Children's choice awards Poland - Active games

Game: Dragon's Stack.

She also received three awards from Germany