Toy DESIGNING

 

Toy Designing

Toy designing/making is a massive field. A career in toy designing has much scope as toys are vital to a child's growth and development. As long as there are babies and children around there will be a need for toys- Toys expand the realm of imagination, and toy designers play an important role in the entertainment and education of children. Toy designing is a culmination of two qualities - creativity and ability to understand children or user needs. Playing is the means by which children have fun, learn things more easily and become creative.

Toys and games have a great role to play in self learning. Toys help in boosting up problem solving skills in children and makes them self reliant. It helps the children to develop their imagination and fantasies. There are different kinds of toys - toys that teach, that are games for the family and those that are just fun and play. In the case of adults, toys and games enhance the quality of life and improves the developmental and physical aspects. Toys in ancient times used to be made of natural products such as wood, stone and clay, indeed the first yo-yo's are recorded to have been made of clay discs. Today, toys are often made from plastic, fur and other synthetic materials.

Toy designers are those who design and create toys. Toy designers work starts with drawing, sketching or making a computer model of the concept, deciding how to make each component and then creating a prototype of the toy. They design toys keeping in view the two market sectors: children, who play with it and those customers who are collectors of toys. The complexity of toys can vary, from simple dolls with no movable parts to complex mechanical sets with configurable moving parts. Toy designers create toys like board games, puzzles, computer games, stuffed animals, remote-control cars, infant toys, and dolls.

While designing toys, Toy designers need to be aware of the market trend for toys and the needs and wants of the different age groups. To become a toy designer one should be a child at heart. For little ones, fun toys and building blocks; for school age groups materials that fit in the curriculum; for the group of teenagers and collectors more classic and intellectually valuable toys is preferred.

Toy design is multidisciplinary in nature. It revolves around the elements of product design, animation and human psychology. Knowledge in graphic design, mechanical drawing, and color usage is essential for success in this field. Toy designers work with child experts in determining the requirement of each age level and create toys suited for each group. The success of toy designers depends on their ability to understand the market and develop beautiful, entertaining, imaginative and safe toys.

Toy Designing/Making : Eligibility

Educational

Specific courses are rare in this area, however those with background in graphic design, industrial design or cartooning can enter the field. Toy designers should have a working knowledge of computers. Others may have experience in engineering, and marketing. Engineering background is required for high end toys i.e toys which have become more sophisticated with technology. 

Personal attributes

Main attribute required for a toy designer is vivid imagination. To be in this area one should possess the art of sketching or drawing. You should have a creative blend of mind, love children as well as have a passion for toys and games, and enjoy creating new inventions. They need to be aware of the market trends. Work in this field requires lot of patience, excellent communication and presentation skills to express the ideas that comes to your imagination. An eye for close detail work is also required. Business skills and administrative skills are also key attributes of successful toy designers.

Toy Designing/Making : Job Prospects & Career Options

Growing popularity of playful learning has increased the demand for toy designers especially for educational toys. With the right mix of creativity, passion and marketing, toy making can be an extremely lucrative career for prospective aspirants. There is a huge market for toys even in international market. Hence those with a creative blend along with imagination and love for toys can take up this field as your career choice.

Toy designers may sketch their initial ideas by hand, create computer models or sculpt in plastic-clay. They can either create new ideas for children's toys or think about modifications to existing toys or games. They need to make sure of the safety aspect of their toy designs, and that they only use materials that are safe for children. Designers must be familiar with the material they are using, and see whether your design can be implemented in that material.

Teachers, special educators, psychologists, engineers, architects and even computer science graduates can take up a course in toy designing, blending their own backgrounds into toy designing. Psychologists, teachers and special educators can easily analyse the needs of each age group and design toys according to their development stages. Computer science graduates can use embedded software that could give functionality to toys.

One can choose the area of interest and specialize in that area. Some toy makers/designers specialize in educational toys which are specifically designed to be used in educational settings or to stimulate intellectual development, while others may be interested in more general toys, or in a specific field of the toy industry, such as making models, board games, or replications of old-fashioned toys and games. Toys for pets is also an emerging industry. One can also specialise in soft toy items, as the demand for soft toys is increasing day by day.

Toy designers may work either as employed or self employed professionals. A fresher in the toy design field can do internship in a company of their choice and then move up to their own. Toy designers can work independently, start up their own toy manufacturing unit, in which case they can create their own design and make toys in their own idea. But then they have to find a market for their finished products by either creating a link with retailer or manage their own outlet. 

Toy designers can also get hired by toy manufacturing companies where they sell their ideas. Toy designers can even write books about toy design or become an instructor at an institute. They can work with interior designers to design kids rooms and play schools on theme based toys. They can also become toy design consultant. As a freelancer one can take up projects of even foreign clients.