Spin Master teams with London’s Kingston University to launch UK-based Toy Invention Program

Spin Master has teamed up with Kingston University in London to expand the reach of its Toy Invention Program.

Launching September 2022, the one-year course will be offered through Kingston University’s School of Arts faculty and aims to inspire and nurture future generations of toy inventors.

“Since inception, Spin Master has been fueled by its drive for continuous innovation with both internal capabilities and a powerful network of external inventors globally – including a rich network based in the UK,” said Amy Pruzansky, Spin Master’s SVP of Global Advanced Concepts Team.

“The Toy Invention Program at Kingston University is uniquely tailored to this thriving market, leveraging our incredible relationships with a robust inventor network that offers tremendous value to the course for students.”

The program is the first continuing education program in Europe to teach the critical creative and business processes of toy invention. This includes inventive thinking, concept creation, sustainability, prototyping and the marketing of toys and games.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Spin Master to bring to life the first Toy Invention Program in the UK,” said Rebecca Davies, Head of Department for Foundation Studies and Short Courses at Kingston School of Art.

“Drawing upon a rich resource of inventors, designers, innovators, makers, tinkerers and dreamers, we intend to play around with the toolkit for future toy inventors.”

Kieran O’Connor, Toy Invention Program lead at Kingston School of Art, added: “We’re devoted to play in our everyday thinking and making at Kingston School of Art and feel privileged to work with the magic of students’ inspiring, informed, inventive ideas.

“We’re so excited to connect and collaborate closely with kindred spirits at Spin Master, our fellow TIP programs and with worldwide toy inventor communities.”

The Toy Invention Program originally started in Israel, offered through Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art at the Department of Continuing Education and spearheaded by Spin Master’s Tal Schrieber.

It has since expanded to Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada and Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. There are plans for further expansion into Hong Kong this year.

For more information on the course, head to: https://toyinventionksa.co.uk.

–

To stay in the loop with the latest news, interviews and features from the world of toy and game design, sign up to our weekly newsletter here

More Recent News

Our top 10 most read interviews of 2024

This year’s top 10 features interviews with Exploding Kittens’ Matthew Inman, Hasbro’s Angus Walker and Jazwares’ Magdalena Eichhorn.

AMIGO to meet game inventors at Mojo Pitch 2025

“We are thrilled to be back at the Play Creators Festival in 2025,” said AMIGO’s Alessandro Montingelli.

Think Influence eyes toy partners for Fisch

The popular Roblox game launched earlier this year and has over 800,000 concurrent users.

Transformers Age of the Primes figures land on Hasbro Pulse

The Transformers Age of the Primes Titan Class Thirteen Star Optimus Prime figure comes with a cannon blaster, shoulder blasters, and the Zodiac orb.

People of Play welcomes Shannon Swindle as Director

“I look forward to creating meaningful experiences, celebrating the work of toy and game designers and continuing to support the incredible people in this industry that I love so much,” said Swindle.

Rubies readies UK launch for Bluey costumes

“We are confident that Rubies’ new Bluey dress-up options will be popular with families on this side of the world, after the positive reception they received in Australia,” said Anita Majhu, Head of Licensing (Softlines) at BBC Studios.