Academics

Toy Design


Designing toys involves the combination of creative innovation and technical skills.



    

The process requires Imagination (the ideation of a concept with unique features and patterns of play), Marketing, (understanding trends and toy placement in the marketplace), and Engineering (all aspects of manufacturing processes, materials, safety, and cost.) As the most comprehensive toy design program in the world, Otis offers an integrated curriculum that provides these skills, in the center of the toy and entertainment industries.

KNBC evening news profiled Otis’ toy department on December 10, in the spirit of the holidays.

Additional detailed content is available in the complete Course Description and Curricula (PDF)

      Fall Spring
Sophomore Year TOYD200/201 Toy Design I/II 3.0 3.0
  TOYD220/221 Drawing I/II 2.0 2.0
  TOYD230/231 Technical Illustration I/II 2.0 2.0
  TOYD240/241 Model Making I/II 2.0 2.0
  TOYD250/251 Methods & Materials of Production I/II 2.0 2.0
  TOYD261 Conceptual Problem Solving & Brainstorming  ---- 2.0
  SSCI211 Child Psychology 3.0 ----
  ENGL202 Sophomore English 3.0 ----
  MATH136 Math for Artists and Designers ---- 3.0
 
  Total Credits per Semester 17.0 16.0
  Descriptions for courses listed in grey boxes are located in the Liberal Arts and Sciences section.
      Fall Spring
Junior Year TOYD300/301 Toy Design III/IV 3.0 4.0
  TOYD320/321 Drawing III/IV 2.0 2.0
  TOYD330/331 Technical Illustration III/IV 2.0 2.0
  TOYD340 Model Making III 2.0 ----
  TOYD350 Technical Problem Solving 2.0 ----
  TOYD455 Portfolio Development ---- 2.0
  *ILMS300 Integrated Learning Studio 2.0 ----
    Art History, English, or Liberal Studies ---- 3.0
    Elective    
  AHCS236 History of Toys ---- 3.0
  AHCS220 Contemporary Art Survey 3.0 ----
 
  Total Credits per Semester 16.0 16.0
  Descriptions for courses listed in grey boxes are located in the Liberal Arts and Sciences section.
      Fall Spring
Senior Year TOYD400/401 Toy Design V/VI 4.0 4.0
  **TOYD415 Career Development 2.0 ----
  TOYD420/421 Drawing V/VI 2.0 2.0
  TOYD425 Games and Game Theory 2.0 ----
  TOYD430 Package Design ---- 2.0
  TOYD450 Toy Industry Practices 2.0 ----
  LIBS454 Business Practices ---- 2.0
  NSCI308 Juvenile Anatomy and Ergonomics 3.0 ----
  *ILML400  Integrated Learning Lecture ---- 3.0
     Art History Elective 3.0 ----
  *LIBS 440  Senior Liberal Studies Capstone ---- 3.0
 
  Total Credits per Semester 18.0 16.0
  Descriptions for courses listed in grey boxes are located in the Liberal Arts and Sciences section.
*These courses may be taken either in the fall or the spring semester
**Note: TOYD415, Career Development: Though the coursework portion of this class is offered during the fall semester, students are encouraged to participate in an industry internship during the summer between junior and senior years.

The guidance of top industry professionals and the use of state-of-the-art technology ensure that student work meets professional standards. By the time they graduate, students have a final portfolio displaying unique talents, innovative ideas, and technical skills across a broad range of toy categories.



Selected employers include:

  Mattel
Hasbro
Fisher-Price
Disney
Big Monster Toys		 American Girl
Jakks Pacific
Nakajima
EMAK Worldwide Playmates
Corgi

See student designs for plush toys, preschool, games, action figures, and vehicles.
View Work

 

Department Life

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Spotlight 

Toy ryan
Students talk about the program on this YouTube video.
 

Contact Info

toydesign@otis.edu
(310) 665-6985

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