How to Be a Toy Developer

During the design process, toy prototypes are often mocked up from wood.

If you play with toys in the toy store, or find yourself saying "this toy would be more fun if...", maybe you should be a toy developer. A toy developer comes up with concepts and designs for toys, estimates the costs, plans the assembly and formulates a marketing strategy. As a toy developer, you can work for a toy manufacturer or a toy design firm, or be freelance, developing toys on your own and presenting them to manufacturers. You need to think like a child and tap into your childhood imagination.

Instructions

1. Gain a degree in toy design. There are suitable degrees available throughout the United States and elsewhere. Prestigious postgraduate courses will then be open to you, and focus on toy design in more detail. You'll stand a better chance of becoming a toy developer within a large manufacturing or toy design firm if you have good qualifications. If you choose to be a freelance toy developer, qualifications are not so important, but they are well worth having in order to increase your knowledge and impress toy manufacturers when you pitch your ideas.

2. Show creativity. Think up new concepts for toys that will wow children. Choose ideas that have the potential to become the next craze, or can be collected and expanded upon. A line of miniature figures could evolve into a collection of figures, habitats and terrain with playing cards to use when battling.

3. Perform market research. Differentiate your ideas from toys already on the market but follow purchasing trends. If teen dolls with funky hair are selling more than pretty princess dolls, then go down the funky route. Ask focus groups of children of the appropriate age to try out your toy. Leave it with them and gain their feedback. Make improvements according to their recommendations.

4. Research patents and copyrights with a view to protecting the rights to your invention. Make different prototypes until you have the perfect working version to present to the toy manufacturer, whether you are employed by them or freelance.

5. Practice modeling. You will need to make mockups of your toys to present to manufacturers. Models must look professional and work properly, especially if the toy has electronics or moving parts. If you are going for a job within an established firm, your model-making skills need to be polished. The same is true for computer design. Toys are often mocked up and simulated using computer design software. Learn how to use the latest software.

6. Prepare for presentations and present with confidence. Perform a cost analysis and work out the expected costs of producing your toy. Find out what the unit cost of production will be at certain production levels. Estimate sales of the toy and work out revenue at certain levels of sales. Calculate your expected profit. Tell the manufacturer about your target market: for example, 12-year-old boys who like cars. Specify the retail outlets in which to sell the toy. Describe how you'll market to the children and parents: for example, through television advertising, elaborate product displays or coupons on cereal boxes. Tell the manufacturer how your toy will fit into the existing market: for example, your toy monster squirts slime, while the toys on the market squirt only water. Demonstrate how the toy works, and explain why your focus groups liked it and why it will be a number one seller.

References

• How to Guides 365: How to Become a Toy Designer
• Job Profiles: Toy Designer
• Schools in the USA: Toy Designer