attention customizers....please read

I just discovered one of my mates has everything you need to cast heads, weapons, parts etc!!

Add to that the fact that my new house has a 30 ft square cellar (basement for you american types

yeah design schools are extremely expensive, I got over 20 grand from CIA (cleveland instituted of art), and money from Pratt and Parsons and such, but because of the bills being so high and some of the schools didn't offer housing for students, all in all art school is extremely expensive. For artist its a tough world I learned, even doing freelance graphic design its tough, right now though I'm saving up printing materials and starting an indie press for comics, there goes my delorean money lol

I was accepted into the toy design program at Otis, as a sophmore. I even attended a few classes and toured the school. I recieved over 10k in scholarships and still could not afford the school. I've always wanted to be a toy designer too. So I do graphic design mostly now, though I have a degree in industrial design. Jobs are hard to find however.

I had a relittive who designed some of the TMNT action figures for Playmatestoys but when he was soposed to get a raise they just laid him off instead! I would like to become a profesinall toy designer but I have been getting woried latly wondering if it would be better to make customs full time and not have to pay for college.

She roots doll heads with new hair and does painting and clothes for them. Doing new hair for a doll head alone gets her $50. Times have been tough though and sales have slowed, she used to be able to pay rent and living expenses with the money she made.

my college buddy and I have talked about starting a small toy business. Mostly accessories and such but maybe figures. Never going to happen but it's good mental practice.

My sis designed a toy line that was supposed to be produced and put on store shelves. Honestly the economy is to thank as well. She graduated a valedictorian and now runs a business out of our basement.

That's how the art institute in pitt was with everything. They had a 80% job placement in 1995 when I started looking but by my 2nd year in 1999 they couldn't get companies to show up and blamed the students. I think a lot of companies are avoiding all of the art institutes due to quality issues in the past. Even the best in the classes struggled.

Otis Art Institute of California offers a full on Toy Design major, you get the full slew on everything. The process of design, brain storming, moldings, scultping, it's a 4 year degree and you get to intern at different toy companies. Unfortunately they may promise jobs, but hardly anyone got them in my sis's graduating class.

The closest thing you could take around here I think that would work is a industrial design course. They had one at the art institute in pittsburgh and was aimed mostly at movie special effects and manufacturing that kinda thing. THe major toy companies probably ahve their design studios in China just like the factories so it's not likely to find work for it other than small US companies and everyone'll scamble for those jobs. Not saying it isn't possible but just have a backup plan.

I'm a graphic designer and I figure one way to go about becoming a toy designer would be to build a portfolio. One of the best ways would be by using figurerealm

here as a tool. Work on some customs or better yet design your own toys. Go to some conventions, show off your stuff, meet some people in the industry and

network. If and when you wish to apply to a toy company like say neca or hasbro or anyone else you can always show off you're portfolio, a complete body of work

should do it (awards, accolades, recognition always help). I mean if I wanted to be a toy designer that's how I would do it. Hope that helps.

WHOA!! are u serious?

My sister went to college for 4 years to be a professional toy designer. She's not $200,000 in debt and lives in our basement. Take that information however you please.