Meet Mondo Roque

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mondo Roque a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mondo, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever had any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?

I’ve hit creative blocks plenty of times, and over the years I’ve learned not to see them as enemies. They’re just part of the rhythm of making things. When the ideas stop flowing, I try not to force it. I move. I sketch something random, create creative spaces, or just step away for a bit. Action usually wakes up inspiration faster than sitting still and waiting for it.

Creativity is one big ecosystem. Sometimes the door is just in a different room. If I’m stuck on one thing, I’ll switch to another: write, draw, build, or just let myself wander. When I’m empty, I step away. I watch an old cartoon, walk through a thrift store, or flip through a vintage magazine. Creativity needs input before output. It’s like refilling the tank.

I remind myself that doing nothing can still be part of the work, as long as you’re observing the world around you. Inspiration has a funny way of sneaking up when you’re not demanding it to perform. Sometimes it’s not your creativity that’s blocked. It’s your energy, your confidence, or your curiosity that needs recharging.

At the end of the day, creativity isn’t about constant output. It’s about play. That’s especially true in toy design, but I think it applies to any creative field. When I approach the work with the same excitement I had as a kid tearing open a new action figure, the ideas always start to flow again. Joy and curiosity are the most reliable tools I know for breaking through any wall.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a multidisciplinary creative artist and toy designer who’s always been drawn to the worlds of imagination and nostalgia. I grew up fascinated by the craftsmanship and storytelling in old toys, cartoons, and packaging art, and that sense of wonder still fuels everything I do today. My work blends illustration, design, and world-building, creating characters and products that feel like they could have existed in another era but with a modern twist.

What excites me most is the mix of art and engineering that goes into toys. You’re not just creating something to look at; you’re building something people can hold, display, and connect with. It’s art that lives in people’s hands. That bridge between creative vision and physical object still feels like magic to me.

Through my own projects and collaborations, I try to bring back that feeling of discovery that defined the toys and media I loved growing up. That spark of curiosity and play is what drives me. My brand celebrates the intersection of retro and imagination, where every detail has a story and every design has a bit of soul.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three things that made the biggest impact on my journey were curiosity, persistence, and adaptability.

Curiosity keeps you learning and exploring. It’s what pushes you to study how things are made, try new tools, and ask “what if?” even when you already know the answer. I’ve always believed curiosity is the real fuel behind creativity.

Persistence is what carries you through the quiet parts of the process. There are times when ideas fall flat, projects stall, or opportunities don’t line up. The ability to keep showing up, to keep creating even when no one’s watching, is what eventually leads to growth.

And adaptability might be the most important of all. The creative industry changes constantly; tools, trends, platforms, even the way people experience art. The more open you are to change, the more opportunities you’ll recognize that others might miss.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to keep feeding your curiosity and stay consistent. Learn from every project, good or bad. And don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself when something no longer inspires you. Growth doesn’t always look like a straight line; sometimes it’s just about staying in motion long enough for things to click.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Right now, the biggest challenge I see is how fast the creative landscape is changing. Emerging technologies like AI are reshaping how we create and communicate ideas. It’s exciting, but it can also make it harder for originality and craftsmanship to stand out. At the same time, many companies are playing it safe, focusing on established brands instead of taking risks on new IP or original ideas.

Another challenge is seeing how the value of experience is sometimes overlooked. There’s a lot of pressure to move fast and stay on trend, but the kind of perspective that comes from years of building, failing, and learning is what often leads to the most meaningful work.

To navigate all this, I focus on staying adaptable and grounded in what I love about creating. I keep experimenting with new tools and technology, but I also make sure the heart of the work still comes from a human place. Lately, I’ve been asking myself the question, “What can AI not do?” and trying to spend more time in that space, exploring the emotional, imaginative, and human side of creativity that can’t be replicated by an algorithm. I want to develop projects that remind people why art, design, and storytelling still matter, and what makes them uniquely ours.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,dreamsofrobots.com
• Instagram: @dreamsofrobots
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Dreams-of-Robots-61554901836866/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dreamsofrobots/
• Twitter: https://x.com/dreamsofrobots/
• Other: https://www.coroflot.com/dreamsofrobots