2.00b Toy Product Design

Course Info

Lecture: M W 3:30–5:00 PM, Room 10-250
Lab: W 7–10PM, Th 9AM–noon, Th 2–5PM, Th 7–10PM, F 9AM–noon, or F 2–5PM, in Room 3-004
Credits: 3–5–1

Quicklinks

Overview Materials Instructors Weekend Workshops
Play Testing Grading Reading

Course Overview

Toy Product Design is an introduction to the product design process with a focus on designing for play and entertainment. It is a project-centric class. Students work in small teams of 5–6 members to design and prototype new toys. Students will be introduced to various design topics, including: brainstorming; estimation; sketching; graphic design; drawing and marker rendering; sketch modeling; concept development; design aesthetics; prototyping; and written, visual, and oral communication.

Required Materials

Most materials for the class will be provided. All course information materials will be provided through this website (not Canvas).

Lab Instructors

There will be one lab instructor and one or two mentors for each team. Lab instructors are professors, graduate students, or industry representatives that have an established background in product design. Mentors are undergraduates who have previously taken Toy Product Design or 2.009 and have shown great interest and skill in the subject. Several of the instructors can be found in room 3-452 and 3-458. The course administrator is Chevalley Duhart and she can be reached by email.

Weekend Workshops

During several weekends throughout the semester we may offer optional workshops to learn additional design tools and techniques. These workshops do not influence grade, but they are great opportunities for students that are interested in expanding their design abilities. Workshop content is directly applicable to what is happening in lecture and lab each week. Workshops are taught by course and lab instructors and include topics such as: Basics of Electronics, Casting and Mold Making, Illustrator, and Silk Screening.

Play Testing

Feedback is essential to the design process and when designing for children, it is important to play test the ideas. The Children's Museum of Acton has graciously allowed Toy Product Design to play test ideas and prototypes with their visitors. Throughout the semester we have arranged for several visits to this museum to present our work and get children involved in the design process. These dates are listed in the syllabus.

Grading

Individual lab instructors assign the grades for all students in their team. Instructors collaborate to ensure that there is equitable grading between teams. Approximately half of the total grade is based on individual work and half is based on teamwork. Class and lab participation grades are based on both attendance and quality of in-class activity. Attendance in lab is critical to the course, and three missed or late arrival at labs (more than 15 minutes) without prior arrangement will result in an F grade.

Class Participation	Individual	15
Lab Participation	Individual	15
Brainstorming Assignment	Individual	5
Idea Presentation	Individual	5
Sketch Models	Individual	15
Final Presentation	Team	15
Final Prototype	Team	20
Design Journal	Individual	10