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Job Description: Toy designers combine their artistic skills and marketing knowledge to design and develop manufactured toys. Because toys are manufactured on a global scale, and because they are for children, toy designers must first and foremost consider the safety of their materials and functions. Toy designers generally envision new products and then develop them through the use of drawings, 3D models, and prototypes.
Salary Range: Successful toy designers can earn as much as $70,000 annually, according to The US Department of Labor. Toy designers with an understanding of materials and a reputation for well-thought-out designs will be the most successful in this industry.
Education: Degrees in industrial design are required for careers in toy design, as are knowledge of marketing, product use, and safe materials. Those with an understanding of child development will have success in creating toys that appeal to children. Additional skills and knowledge include experience in fine arts, the ability to render drawings, and the ability to create models or 3D graphics based on 2D design plans.
Outlook: The US Department of Labor predicts 15% growth in this industry between 2002 and 2012. The emergence of the internet and the popularity of video games have changed the relationships that many American children have with their toys -- the most interesting toys are interactive and engaging, rather than passive toys like dolls or stuffed animals. The popularity of robotic technology has created an entirely new sector of toys for adults that includes Tomagochi© and Sony’s AIBO™, the robot dog.
Personality Traits: The number one asset of toy designers is a vivid imagination! Free-thinkers who relate to children and anticipate their needs and concerns fare well in this industry.
Career Path: Industrial Designer > Toy
Designer
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