ToyCon is a magical time for everyone, where deals get done and, somehow, magic happens. My favorite trick? How your budget just disappears in the blink of an eye. But kidding aside, there’s just something in the air at my favorite convention. And thanks to our friends over at RLUX Customs and Mana Underground, we got to meet and even interview one of the design greats himself: KwestOne, aka Chito Arellano.
Before getting into the interview, I caught Chito’s panel at ToyCon. Seeing his enthusiasm for sneakers and nerd culture while unveiling the Mode-S line of modular art toys was refreshing. If I were to liken it to something, it’s like watching the toy equivalent of Willy Wonka, without all the missing kids. Once the panel wrapped up, we had our time together.
Meet KwestOne aka Chito Arellano
KwestOne, aka Chito Arellano, is a game director and VP of Design at RLUX Studios. With an extensive background in design, from his roots in graffiti all the way to toy design for companies like Mattel, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, and Spin Master, he’s now channeling all that experience to help RLUX create toys and collectibles.
His connection to RLUX, which started by developing airsoft and protective masks back in 2020, began with a cold message asking for a collab. Over time, that collab came to life with SniperBot—and now, a game is being developed based on that very toy.
Bringing it all together
Culture plays a big part in SniperBot’s development. The concept is rooted in KwestOne’s experience in the sneaker scene, where bots snipe shoes off bidding sites. Hence, SniperBot. He emphasized how design experience, regardless of the industry, always has overlap where culture is the common denominator. But at its core, the best way to bridge these industries is to learn the terminology.
“You still have to design, you still have to draw, and you still have seasons to release stuff.”
There are tons of tutorials online, and experience remains the best teacher. KwestOne even recalled how his graphic design training started when he worked at PacSun early in his career. He stayed hungry, which eventually helped him pivot to toys, starting with Tech Deck, the fingerboard toy of all things. Over time, that led him to animation, and now, to gaming through SniperBot, the hype game.
Advice for Creatives
When figuring out what you can offer and where you might go, start by asking: is there a place for your character or creation in the market? Don’t fixate on the money. If you need to make it with sticks and mud, make it with sticks and mud. Eventually, people will believe in your idea and they’ll want to help too.
Before we ended our time together, one thing KwestOne emphasized was that, in a global sense, we need to help each other out. And even if it takes time, we’ll all get there, sooner or later.
Spending time with KwestOne was a treat, and the RLUX team, together with Mana Underground, brought in an amazing individual. If you want to see how the interview turned out (plus a few bloopers), check it out here.
Follow KwestOne, RLUX, and Mana Underground through these links:
KwestOne
Website: https://kwestone.com
Shop: https://www.kwestoneshop.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwestone/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kwestone/
RLUX
Website: https://www.rluxcustoms.com
Shop: https://www.rluxcustoms.com/shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlux.customs/
RLUX Customs Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rluxcustomsmask
RLUX Studios Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057562954970
Mana Underground
Website: https://manaunderground.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ManaUnderground
