This field trip allowed our 3rd year Illustration & Design students to get an exclusive opportunity to visit the Mattel Mega Brands facilities (Design Centre & Manufacturing Plant) and see where 50+ illustrators, designers, and photographers make it all happen.

On Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 34 Illustration & Design students along with Pauline Fresco and Chantal Chapson engaged in a 3 hour tour of the plant and saw how cross-functional collaboration influences the design process. They were able to ask questions and see real projects in production and development.

Students were taken from Dawson College to Mattel Mega Brands by bus. They were then greeted at the reception area and then brought to a presentation showroom where they were given a presentation, by Genevieve Blackburn, Human Resources. Her presentation included the company’s history, financial status, divisions and career opportunities at Mattel Mega Brands. We were also greeted by senior designers from each of the design divisions and Marta Sabri, Recruiter at Mega Brands inc.

The students were then put into smaller groups of 8-10 people and then suited up with steel toe over shoes, safety googles and safety vests. Then were then taken on a tour of the plant facilities where all the Mega Brand toys are manufactured and produced. The plant cover over 1 million square feet in area. Needless to say they saw lots.

They were then taken to visit the different design facilities, from packaging, to graphics, to photography, and rendering in 3D. They were able to interact with the designers and ask questions. The students were very engaged and asked many questions. Many had concerns about sustainability and asked informed questions.

The last stop of our tour was back in the presentation room where the students were again invited to ask more questions.

We hope to continue our partnership and opportunity with Mattel Mega Blocks. In Winter 2018 the Illustration & Design 3rd year students hopefully be assigned a class project that will incorporate their learning attained during this field trip. They will be asked to design a packaging based on a briefing given to them from Mattel Mega Brands. The students will be asked to be as creative as possible while following specific criteria & components pertaining to real consumer products. The specifics of this project will be determined ahead of time to align with the course curriculum. All of the student’s projects will be presented to Mattel Mega Brands in late April 2018, and a panel of judges (from Dawson and Mattel Mega Brands) will chose 3 finalists that will be awarded a design mentorship by a Senior Mega Employee.at the Mega Brands offices for a period lasting 3-5 days (1 week) once they graduate from Illustration & Design program. A grand prize winner amongst the finalists will also be selected. The grand prize winner’s design will be submitted for prestigious Dieline Award by Mattel Mega Brands. The winners will be announce at the Illustration & Design Graduating 2018 vernissage, on May 23, 2018.