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CAREER COUNSELOR
Toy designer
Question: I have been a babysitter for the last few years and I really enjoy playing with the children and making up games. I have some ideas for new toys and games and was considering going back to school. What jobs are available for toy inventors and what programs are available to help me develop my ideas?
— Taylor
Response: Play is recognized as a vital part of learning and growing. Because toys and games are an important part of play, they are invaluable to a child's development.
Job Description
Toy and game designers are industrial designers who specialize in making toys or games. They develop ideas and build prototypes. Interactions with children are part of the process.
Toy designers typically work as a member of a team to determine production requirements and cost implications. They may eventually help promote the toy or game. Toy designers are generally familiar with all phases of toy manufacturing, such as product design, methods of production, marketing, and engineering. Typically a model or prototype is developed using computer software.
Toys vary from soft, plush, infant, and preschool toys to action toys and vehicles, as well as large and small dolls, games or puzzles. Toy designers must be aware of activities that stimulate children of different ages and, like artists, they must be imaginative and be able to create toys that are safe and that work.
Training Options and Costs
A bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, architecture, or fine arts is usually the minimum requirement for entry-level positions. College coursework should include liberal arts courses, child psychology, history of toys, art and modern art history, anatomy and ergonomics, concept creation, technical illustration, sketching and rendering, games and game theory, pattern making, safety regulations, manufacturing techniques, packaging design, and presentation.
An internship can give you some experience and help you land a job. You also need a portfolio of your work when you apply for a position.
Local programs are listed below.
After the first year foundation curriculum, students will take the following courses: Toy Design, Drawing, Technical Illustration, Model Making, Methods and Materials of Production, Conceptual Problem Solving/Brainstorming, English, Child Psychology, Applied Trigonometry, Communication Skills, Technical Problem Solving, Portfolio Development, Contemporary Art Survey, History of Toys, Games and Game Theory, Package Design, Business Practices, Toy Industry Practices, Natural Science: Anatomy and Ergonomics, Art History Elective and Liberal Art Elective. You will also need to complete an internship.
Tuition is approximately $27,000 for full-time students.
By focusing on research, problem-solving strategies and developing visuals in two and three dimensions, students refine and guide their creative intentions to a successful solution. Juniors and seniors participate in increasingly complex projects, often sponsored by corporations that emphasize teamwork and interdisciplinary perspectives.
The program equips students to meet the requirements of the marketplace and achieve sufficient educational breadth to adapt successfully to the varying demands of design work. The cost for full-time undergraduate California residents is approximately $2,900 per school year.
Resources
Members represent toy manufacturers from many countries. The association responds to toy safety standards and a range of issues, including product recalls, PVC in toys, television advertising and so-called "war" toys, and other social issues related to children, toys and play, such as sexual stereotyping and environmental issues.
Professional Associations
Membership benefits include access to all areas of the IDSA web site, research, events, job opportunities, new technologies, design discussions, expert advice and news; professional liability insurance; and a membership directory. Educational programs and seminars are offered to designers. Annual cost of membership is $307.
For students, IDSA offers two undergraduate scholarships of $2,500 each. They also have a student-mentoring program to help students prepare to enter professional practice, with a network of over 400 professional industrial designers for students to connect with for guidance in their career path. IDSA also has student chapters at colleges including: California College of the Arts, California State University, Long Beach, and Art Center College of Design.
The annual cost of student membership is $50 and discounted membership rates are available within the first five years after graduation.
Membership benefits include insurance on products and services including product liability, employee health insurance, property coverage and risk management programs. It also includes discounts at TIA events and trade shows, bulletin, representation before federal and state regulatory agencies, discounted media buying and creative services, reduced ocean shipping rates, members-only events and educational seminars. The association sponsors and produces the American International Toy Fair, the largest toy tradeshow in the USA.
Associate membership annual dues for 1-2 designers/inventors is $550. Memberships are also available for corporations, testing laboratories, consultants, and others.
Employment Outlook
In California, average growth is projected through 2012 for industrial designers.
Employers include large toy companies such as Mattel, Inc, in El Segundo (www.mattel.com) and smaller toy companies as well as toy design firms. Some toy designers work as self-employed independent consultants. While Los Angeles used to have a significant toy district with many manufacturers, much of toy manufacturing is now outsourced to foreign countries. However, toy and game design is still done locally.
Pay
Entry-level industrial designers in Los Angeles earn from $35,000 to $50,000.
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
— Taylor
Response: Play is recognized as a vital part of learning and growing. Because toys and games are an important part of play, they are invaluable to a child's development.
Job Description
Toy and game designers are industrial designers who specialize in making toys or games. They develop ideas and build prototypes. Interactions with children are part of the process.
Toy designers typically work as a member of a team to determine production requirements and cost implications. They may eventually help promote the toy or game. Toy designers are generally familiar with all phases of toy manufacturing, such as product design, methods of production, marketing, and engineering. Typically a model or prototype is developed using computer software.
Toys vary from soft, plush, infant, and preschool toys to action toys and vehicles, as well as large and small dolls, games or puzzles. Toy designers must be aware of activities that stimulate children of different ages and, like artists, they must be imaginative and be able to create toys that are safe and that work.
Training Options and Costs
A bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, architecture, or fine arts is usually the minimum requirement for entry-level positions. College coursework should include liberal arts courses, child psychology, history of toys, art and modern art history, anatomy and ergonomics, concept creation, technical illustration, sketching and rendering, games and game theory, pattern making, safety regulations, manufacturing techniques, packaging design, and presentation.
An internship can give you some experience and help you land a job. You also need a portfolio of your work when you apply for a position.
Local programs are listed below.
- Otis College of Art and Design
- 9045 Lincoln Boulevard
- Los Angeles, CA 90045
- (800) 527-OTIS or (310) 665-6985
- admissions@otis.edu, toydesign@otis.edu
- www.otis.edu
- Los Angeles, CA 90045
After the first year foundation curriculum, students will take the following courses: Toy Design, Drawing, Technical Illustration, Model Making, Methods and Materials of Production, Conceptual Problem Solving/Brainstorming, English, Child Psychology, Applied Trigonometry, Communication Skills, Technical Problem Solving, Portfolio Development, Contemporary Art Survey, History of Toys, Games and Game Theory, Package Design, Business Practices, Toy Industry Practices, Natural Science: Anatomy and Ergonomics, Art History Elective and Liberal Art Elective. You will also need to complete an internship.
Tuition is approximately $27,000 for full-time students.
- Art Center College of Design
- 1700 Lida St. Box 7197
- Pasadena, CA 91103-7197
- Phone: 626.396.2200
- Fax: 626.795.0819
- www.artcenter.edu
- Pasadena, CA 91103-7197
By focusing on research, problem-solving strategies and developing visuals in two and three dimensions, students refine and guide their creative intentions to a successful solution. Juniors and seniors participate in increasingly complex projects, often sponsored by corporations that emphasize teamwork and interdisciplinary perspectives.
- California State University - Long Beach
- Department of Design
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd.
- Long Beach, CA 90840-3401
- Phone: 562.985.5089
- Fax: 562.985.2284
- www.csulb.edu
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd.
The program equips students to meet the requirements of the marketplace and achieve sufficient educational breadth to adapt successfully to the varying demands of design work. The cost for full-time undergraduate California residents is approximately $2,900 per school year.
Resources
- International Council of Toy Industries, ICTI
- www.toy-icti.org
- e-mail: info@toy-icti.org
Members represent toy manufacturers from many countries. The association responds to toy safety standards and a range of issues, including product recalls, PVC in toys, television advertising and so-called "war" toys, and other social issues related to children, toys and play, such as sexual stereotyping and environmental issues.
Professional Associations
- The Industrial Designers Society of America
- 703-707-6000
- www.idsa.org
- Los Angeles Chapter
- Email: chair@idsa-la.org
- www.idsa-la.org
- www.idsa.org
Membership benefits include access to all areas of the IDSA web site, research, events, job opportunities, new technologies, design discussions, expert advice and news; professional liability insurance; and a membership directory. Educational programs and seminars are offered to designers. Annual cost of membership is $307.
For students, IDSA offers two undergraduate scholarships of $2,500 each. They also have a student-mentoring program to help students prepare to enter professional practice, with a network of over 400 professional industrial designers for students to connect with for guidance in their career path. IDSA also has student chapters at colleges including: California College of the Arts, California State University, Long Beach, and Art Center College of Design.
The annual cost of student membership is $50 and discounted membership rates are available within the first five years after graduation.
- Toy Industry Association, Inc.
- 212-675-1141
- www.toy-tia.org
Membership benefits include insurance on products and services including product liability, employee health insurance, property coverage and risk management programs. It also includes discounts at TIA events and trade shows, bulletin, representation before federal and state regulatory agencies, discounted media buying and creative services, reduced ocean shipping rates, members-only events and educational seminars. The association sponsors and produces the American International Toy Fair, the largest toy tradeshow in the USA.
Associate membership annual dues for 1-2 designers/inventors is $550. Memberships are also available for corporations, testing laboratories, consultants, and others.
Employment Outlook
In California, average growth is projected through 2012 for industrial designers.
Employers include large toy companies such as Mattel, Inc, in El Segundo (www.mattel.com) and smaller toy companies as well as toy design firms. Some toy designers work as self-employed independent consultants. While Los Angeles used to have a significant toy district with many manufacturers, much of toy manufacturing is now outsourced to foreign countries. However, toy and game design is still done locally.
Pay
Entry-level industrial designers in Los Angeles earn from $35,000 to $50,000.
— • —
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
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