Why We Turned Our Boss into an Action Figure

It started with a late-night creative sprint and Ja’el talking (again) about Super7—his favorite design-forward toy studio. The way they build collectible figures that blend vintage vibes with modern stories always gets him hyped. They’re playful. They’re precise. And most importantly, they’re unapologetically creative-first.

So I had a thought.

“What if we made you into an action figure?”

He paused. Then grinned. That’s how you know it’s a yes in Ja’el language.

Darth Vader, but Make It Strategy

For those who don’t know, Ja’el’s thing is wearing a Darth Vader helmet at shoots, in meetings, or just walking around Geekdom. It’s his quirky, not-so-subtle way of saying he’d rather let the work speak louder than his face. Something-something about surveillance culture, late capitalism, and storytelling through archetypes. (Don’t worry—we keep him well-caffeinated.)

So this figure? It’s not just a toy. It’s a whole statement. A strategist in a sleek tux with a lightsaber, camera, and drone—ready to build campaigns, craft narratives, and do flying kung-fu kicks if needed.

The back-of-box rankings?
Brand. Communications. Versatility.
And trust—those stats are earned.

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Not Just Fun—Functional

At The Down Market, we’re experimenting with storytelling that does something. This prototype Ja’el figure comes with a virtual SSD puzzle kit—a tool creatives can use to:

• Map out civic needs
• Build intentional surveys for businesses and freelancers
• Turn everyday research into city-wide solutions

Imagine using your action figure to launch better workflows, better data stories, and better systems for folks like us—photographers, designers, strategists—who want to be paid not just to post, but to solve real problems.

This aligns with our work in civic spaces like the Better Futures Institute, local orgs who use tech like 311 apps, and community R&D labs that don’t just build futures—they fund them.

Creative Futures, But Make It a Toy Line

We're dreaming big. Toys, yes. But also scented candles that smell like your first creative breakthrough, interactive CPG that triggers a brainstorm session, and wearable concepts that support mental health for freelancers.

It’s all part of what we’re building toward:
🛠️ The Creative Futures Conference 2026 in San Antonio.

April is going to be wild—and if we can get there through play, memory, and imagination? Even better.

For the Record…

No, Ja’el didn’t ask for this. But he didn’t stop me either. Which in creative terms? Is a green light.

He said it’s “better than a resume”—and honestly, he’s right.

So here’s to the strategist who built the Brandverse,
the action figure with real-world missions,
and the idea that creativity is still the best superpower.

Let’s collect them all.

— Bastion 🔮

📸: Design by @TheDownMarket
🎨: Inspired by Super7, powered by coffee
🌐: Based in San Antonio, built for everywhere

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