How to Become a Toy Designer: Skills, Education, and Career Path

Toys: More Than Just Playthings! 

Toys are a huge part of our childhood — they’re often our first friends! They spark creativity, boost imagination, and even help kids develop cognitive and motor skills. But toys aren’t just for kids; for adults, they can become valuable collectibles or even therapeutic tools. What’s really cool is that every toy is carefully designed for a specific purpose. Behind every toy, there’s a toy designer who combines creativity, design, and engineering to bring that toy to life. If you’re someone who loves playing with toys and creating new ones, toy design could be your dream career! On our blog, you can learn all about how to become a toy designer and turn your passion into a profession.

Past Toppers from afdindia

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NID M.Des - AIR 1 (2023)

Bhadra Balu - AIR 1

NID M.Des – 2023

NID B.Des - AIR 1 (2017)

Sreehari S  - AIR 1

NID B.Des - 2017

NID B.Des - AIR 1 (2018)

Arun Job Pynadath - AIR 1

NID B.Des - 2018

NIFT B.Des - AIR 1 (2017)

D. Sakthiswari - AIR 1

NIFT B.Des - 2017

Toy Design Course Details: Highlights

Toy design is a mix of creativity, engineering, and understanding human behavior. It’s all about creating fun, engaging, and meaningful experiences. Toy design courses will teach you how to design, prototype, and manufacture toys. Check out the overview of toy design courses below to start your journey into this exciting field! 


Category Details
Course Level & Duration UG: 4 years
PG: 2 Years
Diploma/Certification: 6 months - 1 Year
Admission Process Both merit and entrance exams
Notable Entrance Exams NID, DAT, AIEED, CEED
Average Course Fee INR 10 - 12 lakhs
Job Profiles Toy Designer, 3D Designer, Toy Engineer, etc
Average Salary INR 5 LPA

Why Study a Toy Design Course?

Toy design is an exciting, growing field that lets you bring joy not just to kids but to adults too! It’s a career where you can entertain, educate, and even inspire through your creations. Let’s take a look at some of the awesome benefits of pursuing a toy design course:

    Interdisciplinary Learning: You’ll dive into subjects like design, engineering, and psychology to understand how to create the perfect toy.

    Hands-on Experience: Get practical experience with things like prototyping, 3D modeling, and learning about materials.

    User-Centric Approach: Understand child psychology and human behavior to create toys that are both fun and educational.

    Industry Access & Exposure: Through internships and course projects, you’ll get to work with toy companies and manufacturers.

Career Opportunities: From toy manufacturing to educational toys, there are tons of career paths in the toy industry waiting for you

Toy Design Course Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility can vary depending on the level of the course, but here’s a general idea of what’s required:

    Bachelor’s Program: You need to have completed your 10+2 from a recognized institution. Having a background in arts or sciences helps, and some places may prefer students with drawing skills.

    Master’s Program: A bachelor’s degree in design or a related field is needed. A strong portfolio showing your past work can really help you stand out.

Diploma & Certification: Typically requires a 10+2 education, but these courses are often open to anyone interested in exploring the toy design world.

Toy Design Course Syllabus

Toy design is all about combining creativity with practical skills. Here’s an idea of what you’ll study — though it may vary depending on the institution:

  • Introduction to Toy Design
  • Child Development and Play Theories
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes for Toys
  • Sketching and Concept Development
  • Introduction to 3D Modeling for Toy Design
  • Advanced Toy Design Principles
  • Prototyping Techniques for Toy Design
  • Advanced 3D Modeling and Rendering for Toys
  • Interactive Toy Design and Technology Integration
  • Advanced Toy Manufacturing and Production Techniques
  • Toy Packaging Design and Retail Presentation
  • Toy Marketing and Promotion Strategies
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Skills for Toy Designers
  • Design for Sustainability in Toys
  • Safety Standards and Regulatory Compliance
  • Capstone Project in Toy Design

Portfolio Development and Presentation

Best Toy Design Colleges in India

Toy design is a special field, and not every college offers it. But recently, it’s been growing in popularity and recognition all over India. Here are some top colleges offering toy design courses:

  • Institute of Design (NID), Gandhinagar & Ahmedabad
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
  • Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), Ahmedabad
  • CEPT University, Ahmedabad
  • Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune
  • Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Bangalore
  • Strate School of Design, Bengaluru
  • MIT Institute of Design, Pune
  • UPES School of Design, Dehradun
  • Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida

Each of these universities has different courses and specializations, so it’s important to check their syllabus to make sure the course matches your goals!

How afdindia Can Help You Prepare for a Career in Toy Design

We offer NID coaching classes both in physical classrooms and online. Our coaching is tailored to help you tackle the challenges of toy design. We focus on building your foundation in toy design basics, prototyping, and 3D designing, ensuring you get both conceptual knowledge and practical skills. Our personalized approach can increase your chances of securing admission to top toy design courses in India.

With over 25 years of experience, afdindia is one of the leading coaching institutes for design and architecture courses. Our faculty members are experienced professionals, many of whom are alumni from top universities, and they are here to guide you toward your dream of becoming a toy designer.

Feel free to reach out for a free consultation and check out our free online demo class for more details!

Toy Design Course FAQs

How do I get into the design industry?

Start by developing your design and sketching skills, exploring different materials, and learning 3D modelling. At afdindia, we offer both online and offline coaching classes to help you get into the best colleges that offer toy design courses in India & abroad.

What qualifications do I need to become a toy designer?

To become a toy designer, you can pursue a Bachelor’s in Design (B.Des.), a Master’s (M.Des.), or a diploma/certification course in Toy and Game Design. A background in design, engineering, or fine arts can be beneficial.

Does afdindia provide coaching for toy design entrance exams?

Yes, at afdindia, we offer coaching for design entrance exams, including those required for toy design courses. Our structured study materials and expert guidance help students prepare effectively.

What are the basic skills required to become a toy designer?

Creativity, problem-solving, sketching, 3D modeling, prototyping, material knowledge, and an understanding of child psychology.

What are the major entrance exams for toy design courses?

Major entrance exams for toy design courses include NID, DAT, UCEED, CEED, & AIEED, entrance examinations.

 So, are you ready to take the first step toward becoming a designer?

Join us at afdindia—let’s sketch your future together. 💫

With love,

💬 - Julie James
Founder Director, afdindia
Your design career mentor

India's No.1 Design Coach

Julie James

Helping students crack NIFT, NID, UCEED & CEED since 1999!

Ms Julie James has been mentoring students to crack design entrance exams such as NIFT, NID, UCEED, CEED & NATA since 1999. A post-grad from NIFT- New Delhi, Ms. James has 25+ years of experience in design education. She has worked in the fashion industry in various capacities after her graduation. As HOD, she has been instrumental in setting up the fashion design department at Assumption College under MG University. At afdindia, she coordinates academics and designs curricula based on the latest changes in question paper patterns. Her creative teaching methods have enabled the institute to achieve great success rate.

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