Get your free toy design assignment!
Lilla here. I couldn’t be more excited about my brand NEW course, My Toy Pitch, which starts Monday, July 5th, and I’m delighted to be sharing the first part of this FREE toy design assignment I’ve created especially for you. Not only will you love doing it, but you could also win a FREE place in class for taking part – how cool is that?
First things first. What is a #MATSprep anyway, and why did I create this one for you? A #MATSprep is simply a playful warm up assignment that’s designed to get you ready for class, and they’re free for everyone to take part in, whether you’re taking the course or not. They’ll give you a little taste of what you’ve got to look forward to in class and start to stretch your creative muscles in preparation.
I created this free toy design assignment for you to get you excited about the toy and game market and to ease you in to creating a pitch. I was thinking about how I could make it interesting for you to warm up and get ready for class, learn about the four hot toy and game categories that we’ll explore in My Toy Pitch, and do some research about current trends and products in the market, all while having fun (because fun always makes it easier to learn). And the answer is: a BLOBBY WORKSHEET and a treasure hunt!
A play set by my artist, Rebecca Jones, for Crocodile Creek. The toy and game art is hugely art-driven, which means it’s a great market for you, plus there’s room for everyone and all styles. Find out more here.
What’s so great about the toy and game market?
As a successful art agent, I see exactly which art markets are popular right now, and the toy and game market is huge. Plus as an educator and a creative, I know what incredible kooky imaginations my fellow creatives – you – have. I want to show you how you can put those amazing things together: a market that needs your art, your limitless imagination and your quirky, unique mind, and give you a whole new way to increase your income and diversify your income streams. And finally, it’s an exciting market that keeps evolving, and exploring it will help you stay fresh and current, and broaden your illustration portfolio. It’s win-win!
So, here’s your schedule for the next couple of weeks.
- Today, I’ll share Part 1 of your FREE #MATSprep. You’ll get your blobby worksheet to research the toy and game market, take part in a treasure hunt, find companies to pitch to, and get excited for the course.
- On Monday, June 28th, you’ll get Part 2, a super quirky visual topic that my co-teacher, creative director, toy agent and game inventor, Riley Wilkinson, has dreamed up just for you.
- Then on Saturday, July 3rd, you’ll find out how to turn your art into a fabulous toy pitch! Join Riley and me for a FREE live public Zoom where Riley will then teach you how to take your drawings from Part 2 and turn them into a hot toy pitch! Plus, we’ll be giving away a FREE place in class – don’t miss it!
- And class starts on Monday, July 5th. Ready to sign up? Book your spot here.
get your free toy design assignment here! Here’s your blobby worksheet:
How to fill it in:
1. You’re on a treasure hunt to find toys and games you love! For each category, I want you to find a toy or game that you adore, whether it’s something you have in your home, something you find online, or from visiting toy shops in person. Really explore the market and indulge your senses. The four categories on the worksheet match the four markets we’ll be working on in class (Pretend Play, Games, Characters, and Play Sets), so it’s a great way for you to get more savvy about each category.
2. When you’ve found an image you love, copy or draw it right on to the blobby worksheet.
3. Take a moment to think about why you like the item in particular. Is it the quirky quality? The material it’s made from? The art and beauty of the item? That it would be fun to play with?
4. Share your worksheet on Instagram using the hashtag #MATSprep and tagging @makeartthatsells. Riley and I will be looking to see what you do! I’m so excited to see what you come up with.
Here’s an example I did for you:
Lilla’s completed Blobby Worksheet. Download your blank copy here and fill it in. Don’t forget to share it on social media using the hashtag #MATSprep and tagging @makeartthatsells!
Here are a few companies that are making beautiful toys and games to get you started. Get ready to be blown away by the gorgeousness! Think about what excites you. Which toys feature a lot of art?
Maisonette.com
Crate&Kids
Moulin Roty
Floss & Rock
Fred
Djeco
Auzou
Tenderleaf Toys
Jonathan Adler
You’ll see that art plays a huge role – the market has never been more art-driven. This means that you have a great advantage as an artist, because right now companies are looking for artists who can make art and also come up with toy pitches. Let Riley and me show you how.
Don’t forget to share on social media with the hashtag #MATSprep and tagging @makeartthatsells! Riley and I are excited to see what you come up with, plus we’ll be chatting about them on the live Zoom on Saturday, 3rd July. Be sure to set a reminder to join us. We can’t wait to see what you do!
Stay tuned for Part 2 coming your way on Monday, June 28th, for the big reveal on what to draw. You definitely won’t be able to guess what Riley came up with!
FREE toy and game design video
Here’s a FREE video to finish off, a little teaser of some of what you can expect to learn in this one-of-a-kind course: what are twists and amps, why are they vital for creating a pitch that art directors love to see, and how can you turn your idea into something unique?
What are twists and amps, and why are they so important for creating a winning toy pitch? Watch below!
Don’t miss out, sign up now! Find out more and book your spot here.
See you in class!
Love
P.S. The children’s picture book market is another art market that’s booming right now, and you can save 20% on both My Toy Pitch and My Kid Book Pitch when you buy them together in My Kid Book and Toy Pitch bundle – find out more here!
