Toy Design Curriculum

Toy Design I TOYD200 - 3 Credits

Toys are fundamental to our growth and culture. We learn to make decisions, socialize, and create through play. In these on-campus courses, you will develop an understanding of the creative process of toy design and learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful toy designer. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming and designing toys that engage children across various play patterns. You’ll apply drawing, model-making, and fabrication skills to create original toy concepts. You’ll learn to conduct market research and analysis to ensure your designs are viable and positioned strategically for their intended audience. Using various fabrication techniques, you’ll translate your idea into a 3-D model and present the final product to faculty and visiting toy industry professionals. Toy Design studio courses may be sponsored, in which case the toy category or brand would be predetermined.

Lab Fee: $50

Visual Communication I TOYD232 - 3 Credits

To communicate effectively, a designer should have a broad range of both traditional and digital drawing skills. In these on-campus courses, you will develop your ability to communicate ideas through drawing from quick ideation sketches to final illustrations. Through the study of shape, perspective, style, use of character, and storytelling, students will learn to communicate with compelling, dynamic drawings. On the digital side, you’ll learn how to take a concept from rough sketch to a refined set of technical illustrations. You’ll learn digital tools that will enable you to produce drawings that accurately convey your design intent and serve as a blueprint when creating a prototype model. The skills acquired during these courses will be utilized throughout the remainder of your Toy Design studio courses.

Design Prototyping l TOYD242 - 3 Credits

As a Toy Designer, it’s essential to know how to translate your 2D concepts into 3D form. These on-campus classes will equip you with practical prototyping skills and vocabulary that will enable you to develop and communicate your designs accurately. With guidance from your instructor, you’ll work in the model shop, and learn to use the tools, equipment, and machinery. You’ll integrate these skills and techniques into your concepts, developing an understanding of the design and development process. Ultimately, these courses will provide you with working knowledge in the processes and techniques used in model-making for the toy industry. Fabrication, sculpting, molding, and casting will be taught through lectures and hands-on experience. With the building blocks learned throughout the year, you can move on with confidence to more advanced prototyping in subsequent course

Lab Fee: $250

Child Psychology: Development and Play SSCI211 - 3 Credits

A comprehensive overview of child development from conception to adolescence, including developmental stages, critical periods, effects of early stimulation, environmental enrichment, and how to apply this information when designing children’s toys, books, games, products, and entertainment.

Required for Toy Design majors. 

Theories and Trends in Contemporary Art, Media and Culture AHCS224 - 3 Credits*

This course stresses the relationships between contemporary culture and media and their connections to related creative and theoretical disciplines that have influenced art practice and human experience in the years roughly from 1955 to the present. “Theories and Trends in Contemporary Art, Media and Culture” critically examines the range of roles that popular culture, mass media and colonial institutions of privilege play in all creative practices. This class challenges facile and well-worn constructions of gender, difference, ableism, race, ethnicity, “high” and “low” art to work towards conceptions of the self, identity, and of culture that are fluid. Research and case studies focus on the inter-textual and the inter-disciplinary. Students learn and critically evaluate major theories of contemporary art and design through textual, visual, and hands-on inquiry, encouraging independent thinking via active in-class and student-directed projects.

Toy Design II TOYD201 - 3 Credits

Toys are fundamental to our growth and culture. We learn to make decisions, socialize, and create through play. In these on-campus courses, you will develop an understanding of the creative process of toy design and learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful toy designer. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming and designing toys that engage children across various play patterns. You’ll apply drawing, model-making, and fabrication skills to create original toy concepts. You’ll learn to conduct market research and analysis to ensure your designs are viable and positioned strategically for their intended audience. Using various fabrication techniques, you’ll translate your idea into a 3-D model and present the final product to faculty and visiting toy industry professionals. Toy Design studio courses may be sponsored, in which case the toy category or brand would be predetermined.

Prerequisite: TOYD200 is a prerequisite for TOYD201

Lab Fee: $50

Visual Communication II TOYD233 - 3 Credits

To communicate effectively, a designer should have a broad range of both traditional and digital drawing skills. In these on-campus courses, you will develop your ability to communicate ideas through drawing from quick ideation sketches to final illustrations. Through the study of shape, perspective, style, use of character, and storytelling, students will learn to communicate with compelling, dynamic drawings. On the digital side, you’ll learn how to take a concept from rough sketch to a refined set of technical illustrations. You’ll learn digital tools that will enable you to produce drawings that accurately convey your design intent and serve as a blueprint when creating a prototype model. The skills acquired during these courses will be utilized throughout the remainder of your Toy Design studio courses.

Prerequisite: TOYD232 Visual Communication I

Design Prototyping II TOYD243 - 3 Credits

As a Toy Designer, it’s essential to know how to translate your 2D concepts into 3D form. These on-campus classes will equip you with practical prototyping skills and vocabulary that will enable you to develop and communicate your designs accurately. With guidance from your instructor, you’ll work in the model shop, and learn to use the tools, equipment, and machinery. You’ll integrate these skills and techniques into your concepts, developing an understanding of the design and development process. Ultimately, these courses will provide you with working knowledge in the processes and techniques used in model-making for the toy industry. Fabrication, sculpting, molding, and casting will be taught through lectures and hands-on experience. With the building blocks learned throughout the year, you can move on with confidence to more advanced prototyping in subsequent courses.

Lab Fee: $150

Prerequisite: Design Prototyping I TOYD242

Methods and Materials LIBS219 - 3 Credits

Methods and Materials gives students a strong foundation for understanding the vast assortment of materials and methods by which things are built, made, manufactured with an emphasis on toys and consumer products. One will learn the fundamental technical means for successfully expressing a design concept in mass production. Manufacturing will also be discussed and learned from a world view highlighting in depth global centric topics like Factory Conditions, Product Safety, Sustainability and Up and Recycling. Finally, while the course will be comprehensive and rigorous, the speakers, lectures and course activities will infuse the excitement of what it’s like to truly understand and participate in the miraculous supply change of goods and services and view this dynamic system as everything comes together to make, develop, and manufacture products. Required of all Toy Design majors.

Creative Action Lecture CAIL200 - 3 Credits*

Creative Action Liberal Arts electives enable students to work in transdisciplinary teams with a community partner. Emphasizing collaborative methodology, synthesizing diverse perspectives, creativity, critical thinking, clear communication, and information literacy, students engage in issues that extend beyond the traditional classroom. See department for course offerings.

Toy Design III TOYD302 - 3 Credits

Story-based toys and line extensions are important in building toy brands. In these on-campus courses, you will conceptualize and bring a character-based product line to life. Storyboarding will be utilized to show how the characters live in their world. You will also create your own play accessory as a stand-alone item or to complement your existing toy line. Advanced presentation and building techniques will be used to showcase toy concepts and features. Prototype models could be articulated with movement and incorporate lights and sounds. Consideration will be given to how your line could become a brand. Toy Design studio courses could be sponsored, in which case the toy category or brand would be predetermined.

Prerequisite: Toy Design II TOYD201

Visual Communication III TOYD334 - 3 Credits

Sketching original characters and developing storyboards is an effective way of communicating original concepts and features of toys and related accessories. In this on-campus drawing and portfolio development class, you’ll acquire advanced skills in the theory and practice of sketching, drawing, and rendering techniques as applied to toy products. You will concentrate on the creation, organization, and presentation of your portfolio. You’ll design a logo and create a promotional sheet that reflects your graphic skill and creative styling with best-in-class examples of your work. Finally, you’ll write a résumé that expresses your creativity and design experience with links to a digital portfolio.

Prerequisite: Visual Communication II TOYD233

Design Prototyping lll TOYD340 - 3 Credits

The use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs is an essential and necessary skill in the field of Toy Design. These on-campus courses focus on 3D modeling programs such as Rhino, which is often used in the construction of prototype models. You’ll learn advanced modeling and prototyping techniques used in the toy industry. These courses combine instruction on the computer with guidance on the standards required to produce 3D models through output to a rapid prototyping machine. Students will progress to more advanced modeling techniques and will continue to develop their rendering and animation skills. You’ll be introduced to programs such as Adobe After Effects to create more compelling digital video presentations with animation, titles, sound effects, and transitions. Students will be able to apply acquired learning to improve all their toy design projects and presentations.

History of Toys AHCS236 - 3 Credits

Provides a historical, cultural, and social perspective on toys and games with discussions on their creation and use. Students will also learn about the development of the global toy industry.

Required for all Toy Design majors.

Math MATH136 - 3 Credits*

Explores the connections between math and art in two and three dimensions. The class includes an exploration of Escher’s work, tiling the plane, fractals, and the golden ratio. It also covers topics such as graphing equations and geometric constructions.

Toy Design IV TOYD303 - 3 Credits

Story-based toys and line extensions are important in building toy brands. In these on-campus courses, you will conceptualize and bring a character-based product line to life. Storyboarding will be utilized to show how the characters live in their world. You will also create your own play accessory as a stand-alone item or to complement your existing toy line. Advanced presentation and building techniques will be used to showcase toy concepts and features. Prototype models could be articulated with movement and incorporate lights and sounds. Consideration will be given to how your line could become a brand. Toy Design studio courses could be sponsored, in which case the toy category or brand would be predetermined.

Prerequisite: Toy Design III TOYD302

Design Prototyping lV TOYD343 - 3 Credits

The use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs is an essential and necessary skill in the field of Toy Design. These on-campus courses focus on 3D modeling programs such as Rhino, which is often used in the construction of prototype models. You’ll learn advanced modeling and prototyping techniques used in the toy industry. These courses combine instruction on the computer with guidance on the standards required to produce 3D models through output to a rapid prototyping machine. Students will progress to more advanced modeling techniques and will continue to develop their rendering and animation skills. You’ll be introduced to programs such as Adobe After Effects to create more compelling digital video presentations with animation, titles, sound effects, and transitions. Students will be able to apply acquired learning to improve all their toy design projects and presentations.

Prerequisite: TOYD340 is a prerequisite for TOYD343

Creative Action Studio CAIL301 - 3 Credits*

An upper-division interdisciplinary studio course offering unique core content that shifts from term to term. This studio affords students the opportunity to engage with professionals from various fields and expand their notion of problem solving beyond their major in public site real world challenges. A limited choice of CAIL301 courses will count for the Community Arts Engagement and Sustainability Minor. Please see the Interdisciplinary Studies Director.

Juvenile Anatomy and Ergonomic NSCI308 - 3 Credits

Anatomy is the study of the structures and functions of the human body, and ergonomics is the applied science of equipment design. This course examines the human anatomy and its implications for the ergonomic design of toys for children at different stages of physical maturation.

Required for Toy Design majors.

LAS Upper Division Elective LIBS314 - 3 Credits

This course can be an upper division Art History or upper division Liberal Studies elective. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for examples of upper division elective offerings or see the Department and/or your Adviser for more information.

Toy Design V TOYD404 - 3 Credits

In these advanced level on-campus courses, students will continue in their development of conceptual, technical, and creative skills and methodologies relating to toy design. Emphasis is placed on identifying future trends and technology and integrating them into the toy design process. Students will have been exposed to different categories of toys and children’s products and how those products are part of larger brands and entertainment properties. Students may have participated in summer internships where they gained real world experience and will be able to apply that learning as well as their classroom experience to design and prepare their final projects, portfolio, and senior show. Toy Design studio courses may be sponsored, in which case the toy category or brand would be predetermined. Prerequisite: TOYD303 is a prerequisite for TOYD404 / TOYD404 is a prerequisite for TOYD405

Prerequisite: Toy Design IV TOYD303

Visual Communication IV TOYD436 - 3 Credits

This advanced on-campus computer lab course featuring programs in the Adobe Creative Suite allows you to apply your skills and knowledge to improve ongoing projects and enhance your portfolio. The course covers a wide range of Advanced Photoshop techniques, including AI Art integration into your ideation process and how to prepare your digital assets for senior show

Prerequisite: TOYD233 is a prerequisite for TOYD436

Design Prototyping V TOYD442 - 3 Credits

The use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs is an essential and necessary skill in the field of Toy Design. These on-campus courses focus on 3D modeling programs such as ZBrush, which is often used in the construction of prototype models. You’ll learn advanced modeling and prototyping techniques used in the toy industry. These courses combine instruction on the computer with guidance on the standards required to produce 3D models through output to a rapid prototyping machine.

Professional Development I TOYD452 - 3 Credits

This course is Part I of a two-course professional development series that requires students to engage in an immersive manner on career development and working professionalism by exploring and participating in all facets of career development in the toy and related industries.

This course prepares students to explore, navigate and enter the workplace with toy industry specific checklists, resumes, personal brands, websites/portfolios, as well as asset inventories which will be developed, reviewed, and shared throughout the semester as each student engages in the initial phases of their job search. Each student will build a mindful path to their unique and successful care er and complete a detailed and comprehensive roadmap for their journey. To gain actionable insights, students must stretch their investigative, verbal, and leadership skills by sharing their knowledge, opinions and experiences with their classmates, instructors, and guest speakers.

Capstone LIBS440 - 3 Credits

A required senior- level course where students identify and critically reflect on a theme that intersects with their own studio practice, discipline, and/or identity and their work in Liberal Studies. The Capstone is the signature course and culminating expression of the Liberal Arts program.

A minimum grade of “C-" or better is required to pass this course.

Note that Creative Writing, Art History, Cultural Studies, Sustainability minors, and Fine Arts majors take specific Capstones. Please see department for courses.

Toy Design VI TOYD405 - 3 Credits

These are advanced level courses in which students continue in their development of conceptual, technical, and creative skills and methodologies relating to toy design. Emphasis is placed on identifying future trends and technology, and integrating them into the toy design process. Students will have been exposed to the unique and different categories of toys and children’s products and how those products are part of larger brands and entertainment properties. Corporate-sponsored projects may occur during either semester, but regardless, critiques will include visiting toy industry professionals. Students may have had the opportunity to participate in summer internships where they gained “real world” experience, and will be able to apply that learning as well as their class- room experience to design and prepare their senior show. This special showcase of their talents is held at the end of the semester.

Prerequisite: Toy Design V TOYD404

Package Design TOYD437 - 3 Credits

Branding and packaging play a pivotal role in the success of toy products. This on-campus course emphasizes developing branding strategies and creating three-dimensional package mockups to address a range of packaging styles and retail challenges. In conjunction with marketing considerations, package design must also account for storage, safety, and sustainability factors. Participants can tackle these issues while implementing unique graphic treatments on full-color 3D mockup packages. Upon course completion, attendees will understand various packaging types, including the closed box, window box, tray box, and blister card options. They will recognize the significance of effective communication on packaging to engage consumers.

Prerequisite: TOYD436 is a prerequisite for TOYD437

Design Prototyping VI TOYD443 - 3 Credits

The use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs is an essential and necessary skill in the field of Toy Design. These on-campus courses focus on 3D modeling programs such as ZBrush, which is often used in the construction of prototype models. You’ll learn advanced modeling and prototyping techniques used in the toy industry. These courses combine instruction on the computer with guidance on the standards required to produce 3D models through output to a rapid prototyping machine.

Prerequisite: TOYD442 is a prerequisite for TOYD443.

Professional Development II TOYD453 - 3 Credits

This course is part of a professional development journey that requires each student to engage in a path of focused study on the topic of working professionalism by actively participating in and interacting with classroom simulations, industry speakers, and seminars that will bring the toy industry directly to the classroom in a one-of-kind hands on experience.

This course provides a solid basis for understanding toy industry practices across the board. It introduces core behaviors, business and industry concepts including but not limited to advertising, brand directional outlines, consumer behavior, costing, legal, logistics, marketing, marketing research, management, manufacturing, merchandising, operations, pricing, product development, sales, and social media as well as workplace recognition and decolonization. Students will understand how this industry scaffold impacts design and how it will affect them as designers.

Prerequisite: TOYD452 is a prerequisite for TOYD453

LAS Upper Division Elective LIBS314 - 3 Credits

This course can be an upper division Art History or upper division Liberal Studies elective. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for examples of upper division elective offerings or see the Department and/or your Adviser for more information.