Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Courtesy of University Marketing and Communications Amy Wegmann, a 1996 ISU alumna, makes a living by creating McDonald's Happy Meal toys, internationally.

Media Credit: Courtesy of University Marketing and Communications Amy Wegmann, ISU alumna, created Happy Meal toys for "Surf's Up" and "Bee Movie."

Happy Meal toys are oftentimes the first thing children go for when they get their meals from McDonald's. They are sometimes the only reason children get Happy Meals. They have been one of the world's favorite toys for decades. They are fun, they are exciting and for one ISU alumna, they are a way to make a living.

Amy Wegmann, who graduated from ISU in December of 1996 with a degree in fine art, has spent the last four years working at the Marketing Store, a company that designs the toys that go into Happy Meals.

"It's a great job; I'm glad I'm where I'm at," Wegmann said.

Wegmann said she and her team start off by getting a property, such as an upcoming movie, that McDonald's wants a line of toys for.

Next, they brainstorm ideas. According to Wegmann, ideas can come from many different places.

"I find inspirations anywhere," Wegmann said.

After brainstorming, the group looks for ways to design the toy and draw them up. Next, they have to present the idea to McDonald's.

After all the work on the toys is done, the next step for Wegmann and her team's product is to wait. Wegmann said her team works on toys as far as a year in advance before McDonald's releases them in their Happy Meals.

Wegmann said one of the interesting perks of her job is she gets the opportunity to see concept work, drawings, storyboards and clips for movies far in advance, when the movie is still in production.

"It's pretty neat to get to see confidential stuff," Wegmann said.

Wegmann said this makes the movie release more interesting because she gets to see parts of it that have been changed since the time her team has worked on the toys. Two recent movies Wegmann has had the pleasure to do this for are "Surf's Up" and "Bee Movie."

The toys Wegmann makes show up all around the world. Wegmann said some of her favorite toys she has made have been for Latin America.

As well as working on toys that are shipped out internationally, Wegmann gets to see her toys sold at her neighborhood McDonald's. Wegmann said seeing the local kids enjoying the toys she made is another one of the enjoyable aspects of her job.

"[It is] pretty cool to see someone play with the stuff you created," Wegmann said.

Wegmann said she did not always think that she would end up with a job in art. In fact, Wegmann said she did not get into drawing until her junior year of high school, when her mom suggested she take a class in art.

"You can start [drawing] anytime," Wegmann said.

Wegmann has, however, always loved toys. Her favorites are novelty toys that are simple and old school. Wegmann said her favorites are Slinky and bobble heads.

Besides allowing her to design toys, Wegmann's job has let her travel the world. One place she visited was Nuremberg Germany for the International Toy Fair.

After graduating from ISU, Wegmann went on to study 2-D animation at Columbia College. Wegmann said after school she felt lost, but after some time and hard work got her to the point she is at today.

"Never give up. Don't ever let anyone knock you down and say you can't be something you want to be," Wegmann said.

Before getting her job designing toys, Wegmann spent three years designing slot machines for casinos in Las Vegas and Chicago. It was while at this job that she found out about the job at the Marketing Store. Wegmann said a friend sent her a link on Monster.com. Wegmann followed the link, sent her portfolio in and got the job.

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