Ideas for new toys - where do I go with them?
 

Hi,

I'd like some advice..

Always been a massive toy fan and a pretty creative person and have had ideas for new toy concepts (specifically action figure lines) for many years but never really taken it beyond that. I've started putting things down on paper a little more recently, sketches for prototypes etc and would like to know how I go about taking it further.

I assume there are thousands of "me" around and the major toy manufacturers don't just listen to anyone's ideas so could anyone point me in the right direction of how/where to really start with an end goal of getting my ideas seen/heard by someone of relevance?

I guess attending toy shows/conventions is a no-brainer. I know the US have some great ones but I haven't researched when and where these are held in the UK, where i'm based.

Are there magazines (I could subscribe to in the UK) that would be recommended as well?

Basically as much info/sources/forums recommended the better!

Cheers

Have you called Hasbro?

Hasbro's fine, call Mattel!

Seriously though, there are some folks who make their own figures and you could pick their brain. Backyard Legends is the one that comes to mind immediately.

I say keep drawing for a few years till home 3d printers become standard.

Shapeways 3D Printing - Make Your Ideas Real with the Shapeways 3D Printing Marketplace & Community.

there's also a site... forget the name where you can pitch an idea and get ppl to bid on it and get it made to help in shipping costs.

A few things to keep in mind, if you are making toys, action figures w.e the design and concepts must be 100% original if you copy or rip off anything companies will sue you for all your profits, or you need to pay royalties for likeness. I would consider looking at vinyl toy makers, such as ashley wood, kidrobot customizers etc, some make their own molds, and make 1 off's. You also need to factor in if this is for profit, your own hobby. Profit is hard as you need to create an item worth buying, with nice packaging, paint detail. Either you mass produce, sell cheap and sell a lot, or you have limited runs and higher prices. Each takes fanbase which is hard to gain, could be years at comiccon booths to get people to get excited about it... just all an fyi.

Thanks for the feedback..

See with the idea i've got it's really the concept behind it (which I think is strong and would be the primary sales generator) that i'd be more interested in someone picking up, rather than the manufacturing of the initial range of products myself to gather interest.

I do also have blueprints in mind for original characters of course, but they're more secondary to the concept here.

But maybe that's too "in an ideal world" and i'll need to re-think.

That's why I needed to get some more info really.

Then you would want to look into making a sales pitch to the company. I'd start by checking around various companies for who you would pitch an idea to. Make a presentation and present it.

But keep in mind the market nowadays is geared towards existing IPs and brands. You won't really see lines created from scratch like in the 80's.

First thing you MUST do before talking to anybody is copyright your idea. If you're serious about it and believe your idea has the potential to go somewhere then you need to spend a little money securing the rights for yourself. Then you can then sell your concept or the rights in the future. But you have to protect yourself and your idea.