TOY DESIGNER

What Does a Toy Designer DO?

• Conceives and implements ideas for toys
• Sketches pictures of his ideas
• Builds prototypes

WHat SKills are Needed

• Training or experience in carpentry, art
• Industrial design or computer-aided design
• A broad grasp on design principals specific to the toy
• An understanding of how to sell the completed product and its market requirements

Wanna Be one?

• Learn analog skills in conceptual drawing, sculpting, and prototyping
• Progress into digital illustration and graphic representation
• Also, learn model making, and rapid prototyping
• Classes in child psychology and development
• Digital design, computer rendering, packaging, and presentation

Famous Toy Designer

• Jim Swearingen
• Served as lead designer for Kenner's original "Star Wars" line
• Jim Mariol
• Designed the nation's best-selling car, the Cozy Coupe toy car

Toy Inventing Capital of the World

• Chicago's West Loop
• Big Monster Toys considered the best of the best

Top Five Toy Companies

• Mattel
• Lego
• Hasbro
• MGA Entertainment
• PlayMobil

Salary Expectations

Professional Groups

• Toy Industry Association 
• Creative Group Marketing
• Toy Industry Group of North America

The ENd