Illustration is broadening its definition and toys are an exciting new frontier; a dynamic nexus incorporating character design, product design, sculpture and narrative. A successful designer toy is serious fun, resonating with the artist's personal inner vision while presenting consumers with a fresh visual language. Toys have always had universal appeal. A designer toy takes it further, bridging the divide between high art and low, sleek and edgy, crisscrossing cultures with ease.This course is uniquely designed to expose students to this new frontier by working closely with a guest instructor who is at the forefront of the market. From vinyl to plush, our guest will encourage inventive toy solutions, while discussing practical issues like technical drawing, manufacturing and marketing. Through involvement in various supportive conceptual exercises and research, students will work toward a final completion of a three-dimensional model of their toy, which will be presented at the end of the course.