Toy Design

bfa

This intensive, one-of-a-kind program thrives on creativity, inspiration, and joy. Our students are artful designers, storytellers, and makers who create toys that help children learn about themselves and their world.

In this program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in conception, manufacturing, and branding, learning to design toys and games that delight children while supporting their physical, emotional, and intellectual development.

Program

toy design BFA

Toy Design BFA

Learn the complete toy design cycle, from brainstorming, sketching, drafting, and rendering through design and engineering to product materials, safety considerations, and building working prototypes. FIT’s Toy Design program offers courses on child psychology and hands-on training in our model-making shop. You’ll study design for the infant through ’tween markets, child development, and motor learning. You’ll create 3D digital renderings that translate to 3D-printed objects, and you’ll engage in a required internship with a major toy company.

If you are an Art and Design AAS graduate, you may apply to this program. Learn more about eligibility for this program.

Degree Details

Impact

Fun follows function … Great toys encourage open-ended exploration and play, providing unforgettable experiences that last a lifetime.

Outside the Classroom

With 67 million children in North America and annual toy sales topping $24 billion ($67 billion worldwide), you’ll enter a world of opportunity. Students have interned at Fisher-Price, Spin Master, Hasbro, Mattel, Nickelodeon, Disney, and LEGO. Graduates of the program work as toy designers for major toy and specialty design companies and inventor groups. In fact, even before graduation, many have designed toys that are already on store shelves.

Beyond Graduation
toy design outside the classroom

Learn From the Best

Courses are taught by industry professionals who have an inside track on what’s moving global markets. The program’s team-teaching format simulates an on-the-job, cooperative design environment. Meet more Toy Design faculty.
Judy Ellis

Judy Ellis

Ellis is an award-winning expert in toy design, with a BFA from Parsons School of Design. She was conferred the SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professorship in 2015 and was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2013.

Paul Locasto

Paul Locasto

Locasto, a toy designer for over 30 years as well as an FIT alumnus, has worked with major toy companies and brands as a key designer on numerous new license pitches, acquisitions, and product launches. Awarded the prestigious Mattel Ovation award in 2014, his design work has been recognized numerous times at the Toy of the Year Awards. He currently servves as Principal Designer at Spin Master.

Contact Us

Toy Design

Dubinsky Student Center, Room A571
(212) 217-5120

Susan Adamo Baumbach

Acting Associate Chair

Jordan Cook

Project Coordinator

Art and Design Gallery

The Art and Design Gallery is open from 9 am until 5 pm, seven days per week. The gallery is located at the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 27th Street. 

Let's Make It Happen

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS