MANHATTAN TOY STORY: Why Under the Sea?

Uncovering new directions in design lives in the eye and mind of trend researchers. An intuitive art form that requires first-hand experience through travel, research and the ability to interpret shifts that reveal what lies ahead.

All of us on the Manhattan Toy design team stay very connected to emerging trends in home décor, fashion, palettes, patterns and icons. This helps us identify themes that will appeal to our consumers, even though we must make these decisions one to two years before a new toy collection is ready to launch.

One of the big directions we chose for 2019-2020 was Celebrating the Natural World. This helped us identify themes we could develop product stories around:

Natural Historian – earth, plant & animal study Space – planets, stars, spaceships & adventure

Under the Sea! – magical creatures, bright colors & soothing optimism

Since many artists will contribute to this collection, we begin by creating a palette, patterns and character studies that will be utilized by everyone.

Next, we determine the specific items that will make up the collection.   Not every design turns out the way it was imagined, so we often create more items than we will ultimately need.

The designers will now begin the real work - and art - of bringing a rough idea to life! Since many artists will contribute to this collection, we begin by creating a palette, patterns and character studies that will be utilized by everyone.

Next, we determine the specific items that will make up the collection.  Not every design turns out the way it was imagined, so we often create more items than we will ultimately need.

The designers will now begin the real work - and art - of bringing a rough idea to life!

The first samples start coming in and they are looking good!

We decide to make Under the Sea the theme for our 2019 catalog cover... and New York Toy Fair 2019!