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Introduction to Toy Design

By Prof. Supradip Das   |   IIT Guwahati
Learners enrolled: 755   |  Exam registration: 274
ABOUT THE COURSE:

This dynamic and creative course will embark on a journey through the exciting world of toy development. This course will explore the essential principles of toy design, from understanding the developmental needs of children to mastering the design process and ensuring safety and sustainability. Students will gain insights into the artistic and technical aspects of toy design while learning about the materials, manufacturing techniques, and safety standards crucial in bringing a toy to life. Students will also be able to apply their creativity and skills through hands-on projects, working on concepts that reflect current trends, innovations, and consumer demands. Within the growing realm of digital and interactive play, this course will lay the foundation for a successful career in the toy industry, moreover towards a world that makes learning fun and fosters joy for all ages.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: All students pursuing design in Govt. and private colleges

PREREQUISITES:
1. Bachelor degree in any discipline and pursuing a design degree in PG level
2. Knowledge in CAD software like Solidworks or Rhino or Blender

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Funskool, Hamleys etc.
Summary
Course Status : Ongoing
Course Type : Elective
Language for course content : English
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Design Engineering
  • Architectural Theory
Credit Points : 3
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 19 Jan 2026
End Date : 10 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends : 02 Feb 2026
Exam Registration Ends : 20 Feb 2026
Exam Date : 17 Apr 2026 IST
NCrF Level   : 4.5 — 8.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1:  Toy Fishing Expedition: Understanding Toys

Week 2: Toy Story: A Brief History

Week 3: Play And Creativity: Theoretical Perspectives

Week 4: Toy And Culture: Historical Perspective

Week 5: Toy Experience: User Experience for Toy Design

Week 6: Design Considerations: Learning The Ropes

Week 7: Toy Design for Special Needs

Week 8: Toy Design Process: A Comprehensive Picture

Week 9: Industry Requirements

Week 10: Innovation And Advanced Concepts

Week 11: Packaging

Week 12: Marketing

Books and references

Akudinobi, O. (2021). The psychology of play: the psychological theories of play and learning. Independently published. 
Birks, K., & Appleton, L. (2018). Design for children: play, ride, learn, eat, create, sit, sleep. Phaidon Press.
Brandow-Faller, M. (2020). Childhood by design: toys and the material culture of childhood, 1700-present. Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
Clark, C. (2017). Play and Wellbeing. Taylor & Francis.
Fleming, D. (1996). Powerplay: Toys as popular culture. Manchester University Press. 
Fromberg, D. P., & Bergen, D. (2012). Play from birth to twelve: Contexts, perspectives, and meanings. Routledge. 
Giddings, S. (2024). Toy theory: technology and imagination in play. The MIT Press.
Göncü, A., & Gaskins, S. (2007). Play and development: Evolutionary, sociocultural, and functional perspectives. In A. Göncü & S. Gaskins (Eds.), Play and Development: Evolutionary, Sociocultural, and Functional Perspectives. Psychology Press. 
Guerrieri, I. (2025). Toy Design from Concept to Realization: A Guide for the Designer. Springer.
Hewitt, S. (2004). Ways into History: Toys and games. Franklin Watts Ltd.
Jennings, N. A., & Hains, R. C. (2021). The Marketing of Children’s Toys - Critical Perspectives on Children’s Consumer Culture (N. A. Jennings & R. C. Hains, Eds.). Springer International Publishing. 
Jones, Owen. (2024). How to choose children’s toys wisely... and empower your child through play! Tektime.
Khanna, S. (2002). Joy of Making Indian Toys. National Book Trust
Lubiński, K., & Grębosz-Krawczyk, M. (2025). Nostalgic branding in the toy industry. Taylor & Francis.
Lueder, R., & Rice, V. J. B. (2007). Ergonomics for Children. In R. Lueder & V. J. B. Rice (Eds.), Ergonomics for Children (1st ed.). CRC Press. 
Lytle, D. (2003). Play and educational theory and practice. Bloomsbury Publishing. 
Muthu, S. S. (2022). Toys and sustainability. Springer.
Piaget, J., & Cook, M. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. New York: International Universities Press. 
Richardson, P. (2008). Designed for kids: a complete sourcebook. Thames & Hudson. 
Sutton-Smith, B. (2001). The Ambiguity of Play. HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS.
Trigg, D. P., & Fazio, L. S. (2007). Play in Occupational Therapy for Children. Mosby Elsevier. 
Uffelen, C. van. (2010). Toy design. Thames & Hudson.
Wolf, G., Ravishankar, A., and Khanna, S. Toys and Tales: With Everyday Materials. Tara Publishing.

Instructor bio

Prof. Supradip Das

IIT Guwahati
Prof. Supradip Das is an Assistant professor in the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati. He holds PhD in Design from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. He has thirteen years of teaching experience at several design schools in India. Before joining IIT Guwahati, he was a design faculty at M.S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies and Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology. While serving at IIT Guwahati, as skilful, he briefly got engaged with the World Design Organisation as a mentor. He is the founder of ProtoLab at the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, which fosters research in the fields of Toys & Games, Furniture design, Packaging design, Craft & Design, Consumer Product Development, and Medical device development for children. Design students under his supervision received nominations to showcase their designs at the Global Grad Show Dubai and the Green Product Design Award. He, along with his students, holds many patents and design registrations.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: April 17, 2026 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IIT Guwahati .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team
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