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.
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
This college offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts program. The toy design program combines product design, engineering, and marketing. Students work closely with industry professionals from nearby companies such as Mattel and Disney to synthesize these skills.

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
This college offers a Bachelor of Science degree in product design and a Master of Science degree in industrial design. Students develop a high level of skill in design and presentation. They do research to determine users' needs, drawing on cognitive and behavioral psychology in developing interfaces. They often transmit their designs to clients in digital form via the Internet.

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
This university offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, and a Master of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. Coursework covers historical sources, tools, techniques, and materials, a methodology for encouraging the creative process, and the attainment of the requisite level of skill to express visual ideas with clarity.

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
This association promotes the ethical and safe practices in toy factories and toy safety standards. The website provides discussion and information on important toy industry issues and trends and standards.

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
The Industrial Designers of America (IDSA) mission is to inspire design quality and responsibility through professional development and education. IDSA has 28 Chapters and holds six job fairs, five district conferences, a national conference, and a national education conference. The website provides an online brochure with information about getting an industrial design job.

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
TIA helps members improve their profitability and works to ensure that toys are safe and manufactured according to global manufacturing standards. Members include industry affiliates such as licensors, designers, inventors, safety consultants and testing labs.

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.