Toy and game designers come up with ideas for toys and games and design them. They may work for toy and game design firms or toy and game manufacturers. They may specialize in certain types of toys and games and/or in creating products for specific age groups. The types of toys and games they create include: arts and crafts, action figures, dolls, electronic toys, mechanical toys, construction toys, toy vehicles, outdoor play toys, plush toys, puzzles and games, scientific toys, toy instruments, toys for animals, and water toys.
Toy and game designers may be assigned a toy or game design by a toy company or they come up with the concept for the product. A market research department may study trends in the toy market, which designers use when determining toy ideas and designs. Toy and game designers make sure that the toys and games they design are age appropriate and meet safety standards. They sketch their ideas by hand on paper and also create models and plans on computers by using computer-aided design software. They work closely with management and design team members throughout the entire toy and game development process.
Self-employed toy and game designers have the added responsibilities of managing and promoting their business, including contacting toy and game manufacturers to pitch ideas and negotiating the sale of toy ideas and products.
- Computer and Video Game Designers
- Doll Designers and Makers
- Graphic Designers
- Industrial Designers
- Marketing Managers
- Multimedia Artists and Animators
- Multimedia Sound Workers
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Sporting Goods Production Workers
- Toy Industry Workers
- Video Game Art Directors
- Video Game Producers
- Video Game Testers