How to Find a Job as a Toy Designer — Creating Play and Imagination for a Living

 If you’ve ever dreamed of creating toys that spark joy, creativity, and wonder in children (and adults!), working as a toy designer might be your dream job. It's a unique role that blends art, engineering, psychology, and business — and it can be as fun as it sounds.


Whether you're sketching plush animals or prototyping interactive robotics, toy design is a field where creativity meets purpose.

What Does a Toy Designer Do?

Toy designers conceptualize, develop, and help manufacture toys and games. Depending on the specialty, they might:

  • Create initial sketches, 3D models, or prototypes

  • Test toy safety and age-appropriateness

  • Collaborate with child psychologists, educators, and marketing teams

  • Work with materials, sound, light, and even software for interactive toys

  • Follow trends in children’s media, education, and tech

  • Present ideas to companies or pitch to toy manufacturers

From simple wooden puzzles to augmented reality dolls, toy design is about designing joy — safely and smartly.

What Skills and Education Are Needed?

  • Background in industrial/product design or mechanical engineering

  • Strong drawing and digital modeling skills (CAD, Adobe Suite, Rhino, etc.)

  • Understanding of child development and safety regulations

  • Creative problem-solving and rapid prototyping skills

  • Presentation and pitching ability to communicate ideas effectively

  • A degree in toy design, industrial design, or fine arts is helpful — institutions like Otis College and FIT (NYC) offer dedicated programs.

How to Get Started

  1. Build a diverse portfolio: Show a range of designs — puzzles, plush, STEM toys, games, etc.

  2. Study the market: Know what’s trending in toys, what gaps exist, and what ages respond to which features.

  3. Intern at toy companies: Mattel, Hasbro, and smaller studios often offer internships.

  4. Attend toy fairs and design expos: Events like Toy Fair New York are great for networking.

  5. Prototype and test: DIY makerspaces and 3D printing can help you turn ideas into tangible prototypes quickly.

Where to Find Toy Designer Jobs

Start your search with creative and product development job boards:

  1. ClickClickJobs.com — Lists roles in creative design and manufacturing, including toy design.

  2. Coroflot — A hub for design jobs, including product and toy designers.

  3. The Toy Association Job Board — Niche listings from the industry’s trade group.

  4. Behance Job Board — Creative jobs with a focus on visual and product design.

  5. Indeed — Good for local, freelance, or entry-level positions.

Tips to Succeed

  • Think like a kid: Toy design isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about how children interact, learn, and imagine.

  • Embrace user testing: Watch how kids play with your prototypes — their feedback is gold.

  • Stay multidisciplinary: Combining skills in sound design, coding, or soft materials makes you more versatile.

  • Be patent-smart: Learn the basics of intellectual property if you're pitching original inventions.

  • Follow big and small players: Indie toy studios are often more experimental and offer more creative freedom.

Final Thoughts

Being a toy designer is more than crafting cute objects — it’s about shaping experiences, teaching through play, and creating lifelong memories. If you're ready to bring joy to the world one toy at a time, start building your skills, your portfolio, and look for roles on platforms like ClickClickJobs.com and Coroflot.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Job Boards to Use to Find International Jobs

Image
When it comes to finding international job opportunities , there are several excellent job boards and platforms that can help you discover global positions across various industries. These job boards often cater to remote roles or jobs specifically looking for international talent, making it easier to apply from anywhere in the world. Here’s a list of some of the best job boards to use when looking for international job opportunities: 1. LinkedIn Website : LinkedIn Jobs Why It’s Great : LinkedIn is a global networking platform, and its job board allows you to filter positions by location (even by country or city). You can also see if anyone in your network works at a company you’re interested in, which can help with referrals. Plus, many companies now offer remote work opportunities globally, which you can easily apply for. Key Features : Search by job title, industry, or location Option to filter by remote work Ability to apply directly and track job openings Bui...
Read more

Dealing with Guilt When Leaving a Job: And How to Move Forward

Image
Leaving a job can stir up a lot of emotions. From excitement about new opportunities to sadness about leaving colleagues behind, it's normal to feel conflicted. One of the most common emotions many people experience when resigning is guilt —the feeling of letting down your coworkers, your boss, or even yourself. But leaving a job doesn't have to come with a heavy heart, especially if you're making the decision for your personal growth and career advancement. Let’s dive into how to cope with that guilt and move forward with confidence in finding a new job that aligns with your career goals. 1. Acknowledge the Guilt, but Don't Let It Control You It’s natural to feel guilty when you leave a job—after all, you may have built strong relationships and contributed to the company’s success. However, it’s important to recognize that your career growth is equally important . Staying in a role just because you feel guilty can ultimately hinder your progress and lead to burnout....
Read more

How to Find Jobs as an Air Host/Hostess — Your Career Above the Clouds

Image
If you enjoy travel, customer service, and dynamic work environments, becoming an air host or hostess (also known as a flight attendant) might be your ideal career. These professionals are the face of airlines, responsible for passenger safety, comfort, and creating a pleasant in-flight experience. Here's how to find flight attendant jobs and prepare for a high-flying career. What Does an Air Host/Hostess Do? Ensures passenger safety through pre-flight checks and emergency protocols Assists with boarding, seating, and in-flight services Delivers meals, manages special requests, and handles customer concerns Responds to emergencies with trained medical and safety procedures Maintains a professional appearance and excellent communication skills throughout the flight Skills and Qualifications Needed Minimum age requirement: Typically 18–21 years old, depending on airline Education: High school diploma or equivalent; some airlines prefer higher education or h...
Read more