Michael Heralda
Michael Heralda - Graphics Designer Hot Wheels® 1997 – 2005 plus a few models from 2015, 2016 & 2018!
Michael joined the Mattel Team in 1996 as Manager of the Mattel Sports brand. In 1997 he became the first in-house graphics designer for Hot Wheels. The very first model he designed graphics for was the 1998 1st Edition Ford Escort Rally. Over the next eight years he created graphics for the Core Line, Multi-Packs, Treasure Hunts, Toy Fair, Dream Halloween, and various other “collector-type” models.
In 2005 he became part of the Matchbox brand and remained with that team until his retirement in June of 2015. Over the course of his tenure with both brands (Hot Wheels and Matchbox) he created over 5,000 decorations! But retirement has not stopped him from contributing decorations for both brands - as a freelance graphics designer.
Prior to retiring from Mattel, he decided to commemorate his Graphics career with a Hot Wheels decoration on a Ford Fiesta that mimicked his very first design on the 1st edition Ford Escort Rally. In addition, he created four other Matchbox models to serve as a support team for his last Hot Wheels design – carrying over the same theme. Michael said, “I thought it would be fitting since I worked on both brands that I should also unite them (Hot Wheels & Matchbox) for any collector that wants to complete a set, my last set!”
“I had a job many people envy. I kind of fell into it and loved every aspect of it. I had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented people in the design and toy world and who possess a passion for what they do and create. I was inspired by them every day to do the best I could on every project. But that was only half the joy of my job. The other half was meeting the people, the collectors who also share a passion for the small gems we call die cast.”
Michael joined the Mattel Team in 1996 as Manager of the Mattel Sports brand. In 1997 he became the first in-house graphics designer for Hot Wheels. The very first model he designed graphics for was the 1998 1st Edition Ford Escort Rally. Over the next eight years he created graphics for the Core Line, Multi-Packs, Treasure Hunts, Toy Fair, Dream Halloween, and various other “collector-type” models.
In 2005 he became part of the Matchbox brand and remained with that team until his retirement in June of 2015. Over the course of his tenure with both brands (Hot Wheels and Matchbox) he created over 5,000 decorations! But retirement has not stopped him from contributing decorations for both brands - as a freelance graphics designer.
Prior to retiring from Mattel, he decided to commemorate his Graphics career with a Hot Wheels decoration on a Ford Fiesta that mimicked his very first design on the 1st edition Ford Escort Rally. In addition, he created four other Matchbox models to serve as a support team for his last Hot Wheels design – carrying over the same theme. Michael said, “I thought it would be fitting since I worked on both brands that I should also unite them (Hot Wheels & Matchbox) for any collector that wants to complete a set, my last set!”
“I had a job many people envy. I kind of fell into it and loved every aspect of it. I had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented people in the design and toy world and who possess a passion for what they do and create. I was inspired by them every day to do the best I could on every project. But that was only half the joy of my job. The other half was meeting the people, the collectors who also share a passion for the small gems we call die cast.”