Hello Fei, thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. To get started, would you share what is it about the Toy and Game Industry that you love? 

I love how supportive and open-minded the toy and game community is. People are genuinely curious about each other’s ideas and willing to share advice, feedback, and their own experiences. It feels like a welcoming industry where creativity is celebrated, and I’m constantly inspired by the people I meet. 

What do you feel has been your greatest “win” so far in life? What was your biggest failure? 

My greatest win has been taking an idea from a sketch all the way to a real product that people can actually play and own. Knowing that I accomplished that while I was still in high school makes it especially meaningful. One of the most surreal moments was recently being invited onto Great Day Houston to share Orbio and my journey as a young inventor. Seeing an idea that once existed only in my sketchbook eventually take me onto a television set reminded me just how far one idea can go when you keep believing in it and putting in the work. 

One of my biggest failures was not placing in an early board game competition I entered. At the time, I was disappointed, but looking back, I’m grateful for it. I kept working on Orbio instead of stopping, and the game became so much stronger because of that experience. It taught me that sometimes what feels like a failure can actually push you toward something better. 

What are you still hoping to accomplish? 

I hope to continue growing Orbio and eventually share it with players around the world. I also want to keep exploring what Orbio can become in new gameplay ideas, new audiences, and opportunities I probably haven’t even imagined yet. Beyond Orbio, I hope to keep turning my ideas into real products and experiences throughout my career. 

Do you have a mantra that you live by? 

My mantra is “Lead with Joy.” Life is too short to go through it without finding joy in what you do. I try to enjoy the process, even when things don’t go according to plan, because there is always something to learn or take away from the experience. I also believe joy is contagious, and I hope to embody that energy in who I am and in the things I create. 

Why and how did you get into the Toy and Game Industry? 

Orbio was really my doorway into the toy and game industry. After launching my Kickstarter campaign, I began meeting industry professionals who generously shared advice and introduced me to new opportunities. That eventually led me to People of Play and the Young Inventor Challenge. Since then, I’ve attended industry events, met other creators, and learned just how much there is to discover beyond simply designing a game. 

What are you working on now? 

Right now, I’m focused on pushing Orbio toward its greatest potential. Behind the scenes, that means playtesting with my Carnegie Mellon dorm floormates, prototyping new cards, refining the gameplay, and studying other games to understand what makes them successful. I’ve learned that being a game designer also means being a game player and constantly learning from what others create. 

What advice can you give to young inventors who are creating new toy or game ideas? 

Don’t limit yourself before you’ve even started. Games are allowed to be weird, unexpected, playful, and completely different from what already exists. When you have an idea, make a simple mockup and try it. You don’t need a perfect prototype, just something you can put in front of people. 

Then playtest, listen, change things, and playtest again. Creating a great game is not just about having a creative idea; it’s about understanding how other people experience that idea. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and enjoy the journey, because you never know where one idea might take you.

What is the most rewarding part of making your own game? 

The most rewarding part is seeing people genuinely enjoy something that once existed only in my imagination. During development, it’s easy to get caught up in prototypes, rules, manufacturing, and all the work behind the scenes. Then I see a group of people laughing, strategizing, getting competitive, or immediately wanting to play again, and I remember why I started. Those moments motivate me to keep making Orbio better. 

What and/or who inspires you? 

My biggest inspirations are my parents. I grew up watching them build a business from scratch, and they taught me not to be afraid of my ideas or of the work required to make them real. They’ve always encouraged me to keep going and push myself toward my greatest potential. Their guidance throughout the creation of Orbio has also opened my eyes to the business, manufacturing, and entrepreneurial sides of design and completely expanded my perspective on what it means to be a creator. 

What excites you? 

What excites me most is watching an idea become real. There’s something incredibly special about taking something that once existed only in your imagination and eventually watching other people experience it for themselves. With Orbio, I especially love watching the roller coaster of emotions around the table and the thinking, surprises, competition, laughter, and those “I can’t believe you just did that!” moments.

How do you define creativity? 

I define creativity as giving yourself permission to think beyond what already exists. Creativity is limitless because it can be playful, unexpected, experimental, or a combination of completely different ideas. To me, creativity is almost like looking at the world through a curious child’s lens: asking “Why?” and “What if?” without immediately worrying about whether the answer makes sense. 

Where do you come up with your best ideas? 

Usually in the most random places! Inspiration might come from watching an interaction, finding an unusual object in a thrift store, learning a concept in class, or simply noticing something that makes me curious. A lot of my ideas actually begin with an emotion: What did this make me feel? Why did it catch my attention? What does it make me want to create? 

Whenever that happens, I quickly write the idea in my Notes app. I have a running list of spontaneous ideas that I can return to whenever I’m ready to explore one further. 

Were you obsessed with any toys, games, or objects as a kid? 

I was always drawn to games that were simple, interactive, and strategic games like Connect Four, Chinese Checkers, and Blokus. They’re easy to understand, but they still make you think. I also remember the experiences and memories created while playing them. That simplicity helped inspire what I want Orbio to feel like: approachable at first, but with enough strategy that you want to keep coming back and discovering more. 

What was your life like growing up? 

Growing up as an only child, I was constantly immersed in my own little creative world. I would set up pretend Shark Tank pitches in my living room, wake up early to make crafts at the table, invent things, draw, and then go outside to roller-skate with my friends. I had a lot of freedom to explore whatever made me curious. Looking back, I think I was always chasing the same things I still chase today: creativity, curiosity, and joy. 

How do you jumpstart your creativity when you find yourself stalled? 

I step away. Sometimes it’s a short break. Sometimes I need much longer. I’ve learned that forcing creativity usually doesn’t help me. Going outside, traveling, exploring somewhere new, seeing other people’s work, or simply experiencing life gives my brain new material to work with. When I return, I usually see the problem differently and remember what I was trying to accomplish in the first place.