Toy Design BFA Degree Program
School of Art and Design
Applications accepted for fall only. NYSED: 89109 CIP: 50.0404
The Toy Design BFA prepares students for careers as children’s product designers working with a variety of companies in the toy industry, from small specialty firms to major global corporations. Students participate in a summer internship that takes place between the junior and senior year. Curriculum below is for the entering class of fall 2024.
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | TY 326 - Toy Design I and Product Rendering | 3 |
| TY 327 - Drafting and Technical Drawing | 3 | |
| TY 352 - The Toy Industry: Methods and Materials | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | FA 301 - Anatomy for Toy Designers | 1.5 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | SS 232 - Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | TY 313 - Soft Toy and Doll Design | 3 |
| TY 332 - Model Making and 3D Prototyping | 3.5 | |
| TY 342 - Computer Graphics in Toy Design | 2 | |
| RELATED AREA | MK 301 - Marketing for the Toy Industry | 3 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | HE 301 - Motor Learning: A Developmental Approach | 3 |
| HA 345 - History of Industrial Design choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts/Art History | 3 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | A: | |
| TY 491 - Summer Internship: Toy Design** | 4 | |
| B: | ||
| TY 411 - Toy Design II and Product Update | 2 | |
| TY 421 - Advanced Hard Toy: Design & Engineering | 5 | |
| TY 442 - Advanced Computer Graphics in Toy Design | 2 | |
| TY 463 - Storybook Design and Licensed Product | 3 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | MA 041 - Geometry and Probability Skills | 1 |
| MA 241 - Topics in Probability and Geometry | 3 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | TY 414 - Games*** | 1.5 |
| TY 461 - Business Practices for the Toy Industry | 2 | |
| TY 467 - Professional Portfolio | 4.5 | |
| RELATED AREA | PK 403 - Packaging for the Toy Designer | 2 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts/Art History | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts Elective(s) | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| MAJOR AREA | 41.5 | |
| RELATED AREA | 6.5 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | 19 | |
| Total Credits: | 67 | |
*Fall 2024 Requirements: See below.
Liberal Arts, Art History, and General Education: 19 credits
- Art History Requirements: 6 credits. HA 345 and CHOICE of one (1) additional 3-credit History of Art course that meets General Education Other World Civilizations requirement (G9). See the full list of Art/Design History courses under HA: History of Art and Civilization
-
Social Sciences: 3 credits. SS 232
-
Health Education: 3 credits. HE 301
Liberal Arts Elective(s): 3 credits. Select a Liberal Arts course (for which prerequisites have been met) from the following subject areas: CH (Chinese); EN (English); FI (Film and Media Studies); FR (French); HA (History of Art); HE (Health Education) HE 201, or HE 301; IT (Italian); JA (Japanese); HI (History); MA (Math); LA (Liberal Arts); MC (Modern Languages and Cultures); MU (Music) MU 202, MU 203, or MU 391; PE (Physical Education and Dance) PE 215, PE 216 PE 217; PL (Philosophy); SC (Science); SP (Spanish); and SS (Social Sciences).
NOTES: Students must complete SS 131 and two HA courses (HA 111, HA 112, or HA 231, or equivalent) prior to entering this program.
OVERALL BACHELOR'S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
FIT's 2+2 degree structure requires an earned AAS or equivalent plus all the BS or BFA degree requirements.
This structure includes the following overall bachelor's degree graduation requirements:
- 120–126 total earned credits
- 30 credits in General Education credits approved by the State University of New York (SUNY)
BFA degrees NASAD and New York State guidelines:
- 12 credits art/design history
- 30 credits in Liberal Arts/General Studies
- 78–84 credits in major and related area, including a minimum of 24 credits in 300- to 400-level major and related area coursework
Upon graduating from the Toy Design BFA program, students will be able to:
- Explain child safety and testing requirements and be able to apply this knowledge to select appropriate materials.
- Determine appropriate manufacturing methods to satisfy specific design and safety requirements, as well as produce a product that stands up to the rigors of normal use and foreseeable abuse.
- Design and invent innovative products that will have a lasting impact on children by respecting their intelligence and reflecting their play needs.
- Utilize technology to enhance content and the play experience.
- Identify and analyze play patterns as they relate to children’s developmental and emotional needs.
- Demonstrate, professional skills required by the industry - with a focus on contributing to a company's product development - including: the ability to work to deadlines, problem-solving, collaborating with a team, and presentation and communication skills.
- Display technical drawing and illustration skills at a professional level.
- Design children’s products within relevant, timely, innovative product categories that are determined by market trends and buyer behavior.