Toy Design

TY 101 — Introduction to Toy Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

This introductory course is designed for students interested in exploring the area of toy design. Students learn the design and invention process, as well as effective ways to visually communicate concepts for toy products. Some drawing skills are needed. (G6: Arts)

TY 311 — Toy Design I

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

Nurtures and develops creativity as it is applied to toy design. Various techniques for the design of toys are explored and used in practical application.
Co-requisite(s): TY 351

TY 313 — Soft Toy and Doll Design

3 CREDITS; 6 LAB HOURS

Designing plush toys and dolls from research and development, concept creation, sketching, and patternmaking, to prototype construction and presentation. The study of materials, manufacturing techniques, packaging, and industry requirements, as related to toy design, is stressed.
Prerequisite(s): TY 311, TY 321, TY 322, and TY 351

TY 314 — Professional Practices in Toy Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

This course combines studio work, discussion of trends, consultation with industry professionals, and presentation practice in order to strengthen students' design and marketing skills and develop portfolios to address the needs of the job market. Work focuses on specific design categories according to individual needs.
Prerequisite(s): TY 311, TY 321, TY 322, TY 323, TY 351, TY 362, and SS 232

TY 321 — Drawing for Toy Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

Development of drawing and rendering skills as the primary tools for conceptual and visual presentation of three-dimensional toy designs.
Co-requisite(s): TY 311 and TY 322

TY 322 — Marker Rendering

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

Develops the professional techniques of executing toy design renderings for presentation.
Co-requisite(s): TY 311 and TY 321

TY 323 — Basic Drafting for Product Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

Establishes basic understanding of mechanical drawing fundamentals and its application to toy design.
Co-requisite(s): TY 351

TY 325 — Computer-Aided Advanced Drafting for Product Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

Students develop advanced techniques by learning to use the computer as a design and drafting tool. Through demonstrations and in-class assignments, they integrate drafting knowledge with working in a digital environment.
Prerequisite(s): TY 323

TY 331 — Modelmaking I

2 CREDITS; 4 LAB HOURS

Introduces the process of translating two-dimensional renderings into finished models in clay, wood, styrofoam, or thermoplastics. Vacuum-forming, fabricating, machining, and finishing techniques are presented.
Prerequisite(s): TY 311 and TY 323

TY 342 — Computer Graphics in Toy Design

2 CREDITS; 1 LECTURE AND 2 LAB HOURS

Students explore the computer as a tool for the presentation, refinement, and most importantly, the stimulation of creative design ideas. The fundamental principles of the two-dimensional bitmap and vector-based graphics using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator on the Macintosh computer system are introduced.
Prerequisite(s): TY 322

TY 351 — Product Materials and Safety Considerations

2 CREDITS; 2 LECTURE HOURS

Study of the materials, machinery, and methods used to manufacture plastic and nonplastic toys that meet specific design requirements, safety standards, and durability tests cost-effectively.
Co-requisite(s): TY 311 and TY 323

TY 362 — The Toy Industry: An Overview

1 CREDIT; 2 LAB HOURS

Introduces scope of the toy industry through its history and development. Provides understanding of the industry's organizational structure, toy categories, marketing techniques, and specific nomenclature. Presentations are made by major toy company executives and retailers.
Co-requisite(s): TY 311

TY 411 — Toy Design II and Product Update

2 CREDITS; 4 LAB HOURS

Advanced methods for generation of toy design ideas. Emphasizes areas of new toy creation, line extension, and licensing. (G6: Arts)
Prerequisite(s): TY 311 and TY 325

TY 414 — Games

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

Game theory and logic are studied and applied to the design of games with special regard to such factors as age, play pattern, three-dimensional skills, action, strategy, and psychology. Emphasizes the successful execution and presentation of game concepts.
Prerequisite(s): TY 411, TY 416, TY 417, and TY 431

TY 416 — Hard Toy: Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

The design component of creating hard toys, this course offers students the experience of designing toys from among the major toy categories. Drawing and presentation are stressed as an integral part of the product development process, underscoring the importance of the relationship between form and function. (G6: Arts)
Prerequisite(s): TY 311, TY 325, TY 331 and TY 351
Co-requisite(s): TY 417

TY 417 — Hard Toy: Engineering

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

The engineering component of creating hard toys, this course offers students the experience of designing toys from among the major toy categories. The technical aspects of toy product development are stressed, helping students give form to their concepts while meeting standard manufacturing criteria.
Prerequisite(s): TY 311, TY 325, TY 331, and TY 351
Co-requisite(s): TY 416 and TY 431

TY 418 — Licensed Product Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

Providing a link between the creative ideas generated by students and the realities of the toy industry, this course introduces the licensed product category. Students build upon character ideas developed in previous courses to reconceptualize them in the context of licensed products.
Prerequisite(s): TY 311, TY 313, TY 325, TY 331, TY 342, and MK 301

TY 431 — Modelmaking II

2 CREDITS; 4 LAB HOURS

Advanced study of toy modelmaking techniques and equipment. Working from individual concept sketches, students refine modelmaking skills by producing their own finished prototypes.
Prerequisite(s): TY 331 and TY 351
Co-requisite(s): TY 416 and TY 417

TY 442 — Advanced Computer Graphics in Toy Design

2 CREDITS; 1 LECTURE AND 2 LAB HOURS

Offered in conjunction with GD 407, this course introduces the principles of three-dimensional computer graphics and digital book design. Students build a three-dimensional model based on their soft toy designs and the character in preparation for inclusion in their digital books.
Prerequisite(s): TY 313, TY 325 and TY 342

TY 444 — Photorealistic Product Communication

2 CREDITS; 1 LECTURE AND 2 LAB HOURS

Students develop the ability to transform hand-drawn images into a near-photorealistic digital representation of product using tools in the latest version of Adobe Creative Suite. They gain a full understanding of how to represent material, texture, light/shadow, and reflection and the skills necessary to represent these qualities in their designs.
Prerequisite(s): TY 342

TY 461 — Business Practices for the Toy Industry

2 CREDITS; 2 LECTURE HOURS

Addresses the legal, ethical, and practical considerations involved in selling or licensing a toy design. Topics include patent, trademark, and copyright law; disclosure and licensing agreements; corporate and agency structure.
Prerequisite(s): TY 351 and TY 411

TY 462 — Professional Portfolio Development

2 CREDITS; 4 LAB HOURS

Students analyze, position, and develop their portfolios for placement in an appropriate venue. A combination of studio work, marketing trend analysis, consultation with industry professionals, and presentation practice guides students toward a focused goal.
Prerequisite(s): TY 442
Co-requisite(s): TY 493

TY 491 — Summer Internship: Toy Design

4 CREDITS

A summer internship in industry, scheduled individually for a minimum of 168 hours at the worksite and 12 hours on campus. Includes a pre- and post-internship seminar. Completion of a daily journal, a written and oral report on the experience, and a portfolio of work is required. Applications must be submitted in spring semester prior to acceptance into the program.
Prerequisite(s): TY 311, TY 313 and TY 331

TY 493 — Senior Project: Design

1.5 CREDITS; 3 LAB HOURS

The design component of the senior project, this course offers senior students the opportunity to individually design and present products from two of the major toy categories. Demands and restrictions of the toy industry are simulated by industry representatives who present students with actual market criteria.
Prerequisite(s): TY 411, TY 416, TY 417, and TY 431