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Toy Designer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Senior Graphic Designer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$67K - $92K/yr

Responsibilities The primary duties and responsibilities of the Senior Graphic Designer consist of ... toy industry innovations, and consumer preferences • Create, style, and optimize e commerce ...

National Account Manager - Target

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$101K - $130K/yr

Experience within the toy, entertainment, or licensed goods industry. * Experience in (sales, brand, PD, etc.) within consumer products This is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive ...

National Account Manager - Target

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$101K - $130K/yr

Experience within the toy, entertainment, or licensed goods industry. * Experience in (sales, brand, PD, etc.) within consumer products This is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive ...

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Toy Designer information

See Minnesota salary details

$15

$26

$37

How much do toy designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for toy designer in Minnesota is $26.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $31.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a toy designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Toy Designer, you need a strong background in industrial or product design, creativity, and knowledge of child development, often supported by a degree in design or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and prototyping techniques is essential for bringing concepts to life and ensuring product safety. Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving abilities set outstanding designers apart in team-based environments. These skills ensure toys are innovative, appealing, safe, and meet market and regulatory requirements.

What does a toy designer do?

A toy designer is responsible for creating the concepts, designs, and prototypes of toys and games for children and sometimes adults. They work to ensure toys are fun, safe, age-appropriate, and marketable, often collaborating with engineers, marketers, and child development specialists. Toy designers may sketch ideas, select materials, oversee manufacturing processes, and test toys to meet safety standards. Their goal is to combine creativity with practical functionality to produce toys that inspire imagination and play.

How much do toy designers make?

Toy designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of their designs. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers or those working for major toy companies can earn higher salaries and benefits.

What are some common challenges toy designers face when balancing creativity with safety and manufacturing requirements?

Toy Designers often encounter the challenge of creating innovative and engaging products while adhering to strict safety standards and manufacturing limitations. They must ensure that their designs are appealing to children and marketable to parents, yet still meet regulatory requirements for materials, construction, and age-appropriateness. Collaborating closely with engineers, marketers, and safety compliance teams is essential to navigate these constraints and bring safe, unique toys to market. This balancing act can be demanding but also offers valuable opportunities to develop problem-solving skills and industry expertise.

What does a toy designer do?

As a toy designer, you handle the entire lifecycle of the development of a new toy. Your responsibilities are to design sketches, assess materials needed, create a prototype, consult on requirements, assist with product testing, and modify to deliver the final product. You work to build toys from concepts to production. Your duties may include researching audience preferences, discussing marketing strategies, observing focus groups, and working with various departments to ensure a successful product. You also review popular toy qualifications including functionality, demand, and educational benefits.

What is the difference between Toy Designer vs Product Designer?

AspectToy DesignerProduct Designer
Required CredentialsPortfolio, creativity skills, sometimes a degree in design or related fieldDesign degree, user experience knowledge, portfolio
Work EnvironmentToy companies, studios, manufacturing settingsTech companies, startups, manufacturing
Industry UsagePrimarily in toy and entertainment industriesVarious industries including tech, consumer goods, and more

While both Toy Designers and Product Designers focus on creating functional and appealing products, Toy Designers specialize in designing toys that are safe, engaging, and suitable for children. Product Designers have a broader scope, working on a wide range of consumer products. The key differences lie in their target audience, industry focus, and specific design considerations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Toy Designer jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Toy Designer jobs in Minnesota are:
What are popular job titles related to Toy Designer jobs in Minnesota? For Toy Designer jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Toy Designer jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Toy Designer job openings:
Infographic showing various Toy Designer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,509 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Senior Graphic Designer

TekSky

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$67K - $92K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 hours ago


Job description

Responsibilities
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Senior Graphic Designer consist of but are not limited to:
• Develop engaging graphics, illustrations, patterns, and packaging that appeal to children and parents
• Ensure designs align with brand guidelines, age-appropriate standards, and safety requirements
• Partner with Sales to understand customer objectives across mass, drug, and grocery channels with a focus on end consumer satisfaction
• Create packaging layouts, dielines, and print ready production files
• Prepare artwork for overseas manufacturing and mass production
• Assist in trend analysis, including category-specific and macro industry insights
• Develop presentation collateral, mockups, and final designs for retail partners
• Stay current on kids' design trends, toy industry innovations, and consumer preferences
• Create, style, and optimize e commerce product imagery, including lifestyle shots, detail views, and feature callouts
• Design and retouch imagery for Product Detail Pages, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and strong visual storytelling
• Collaborate with photographers, retouchers, and e-commerce teams to ensure imagery meets platform requirements, including Amazon, Shopify, and retailer guidelines
• Manage multiple product timelines while maintaining strong attention to detail
• Exhibits a working knowledge of health and safety, responsible for safety awareness, while upholding and improving the culture of safety within the organization. Can Identify opportunities for improvement and take action if appropriate, before a problem occurs. Will report potential hazards, unsafe working conditions, unsafe equipment, unsafe acts, and injuries immediately
• Other tasks as assigned
Education and Experience
• High School graduate or equivalent
• Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Illustration, Visual Communications, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of professional graphic design experience, preferably in kids' products, toys, stationery, or consumer goods
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
• Strong portfolio demonstrating children's graphics, illustration, packaging, and playful branding
• Experience preparing artwork for print, packaging, and overseas manufacturing
• Experience with character development and storytelling preferred
• Knowledge of toy safety standards and age grading preferred
• Experience working with licensed characters preferred
• Familiarity with motion graphics or basic animation a plus