Toy Production Designer Job Description
A toy production designer works for a toy manufacturer or toy design firm. Some are self-employed and sell their concepts to major toy manufacturers.
Most toy production designers have an engineering background, because toys have become more sophisticated with technology. This profession involves many facets of toy manufacturing and design, including marketing, assembly, safety, quality, shipping, packaging and budgeting to attract the most critical consumers: children.
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Education Requirements
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Because toy production designers work in a production environment, education requirements include a bachelor's degree in engineering in one of several disciplines. Many organizations require a degree in process or industrial engineering, which focuses on manufacturing processes.
Skills
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Skills include creativity and the ability to adapt consumer trends to toy production opportunities. Soft skills include good written, interpersonal and visual skills as they're required to explain technical and manufacturing toy concepts to non-technical team members and upper-level management.
Additional skills can include several years of experience in toy design and production, and knowledge of safety concepts and practices for toys.
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Responsibilities
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Responsibilities involve overall toy production from concept to completion. Toy production designers work within budget guidelines and work collaboratively with functional teams who are involved with toy production and profitability. Along with company executives, toy production designers make final decisions before a product goes into production and then arrange the production process in a cost-effective manner.
Additional Insight
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According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 187,000 workers in toy-related industries in 2007. This data does not include toy design firms and self-employed toy designers. Major toy brands work with outside toy design firms to create marketable and profitable toys, and many skilled toy production designers work for toy design firms.
Average Salary
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As of October 2009, the average salary for toy production designers is $59,000 per year, according to Indeed.com. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, toy production designers often specialize in specific areas including age groups or toy packaging, but the best prepared professionals are versatile and able to work across all types of product categories, groups, and specialties.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Kira
