Garth Parker premium toy design papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 113.4301

Collection Scope and Content Note

The Garth Parker premium toy design papers contain materials from 1978 through 2014, with the bulk of the materials dated between 1995 and 2012. This collection holds both original and licensed character product sketches, designs, portfolios, presentations, product notebooks, and reference materials. Parker’s designs portray merchandise created for fast-food restaurants, cereal brands, amusement parks, cake decorations, and more. Additional scope and content information can be found under the “Contents List” section of this finding aid.

The Garth Parker premium toy design papers are arranged into three series, one of which has been further divided into subseries. The physical materials are housed in 84 archival document boxes, 6 oversize boxes, and 4 oversized flat folders. Digital files are accessible on-site at The Strong.

Dates

Creation: 1978-2014
Creation: Majority of material found within 1995-2012

Creator

Parker, Garth (Designer, Person)

Conditions Governing Use

Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, he has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Biographical Note

Garth Parker is an American product designer who has over 30 years of experience in the toy and custom manufacturing industry.

Parker received degrees in Fine Art, Commercial Art, and Commercial Illustration during the 1980s. He worked for several companies, including Alcone Marketing Group, as a Creative Director. Parker developed both original and licensed premium design concepts for clients, such as Burger King, Yum Brands, Disney, and DecoPac. In 2012, he founded G Parker Concepts, a merchandise consultant firm. He has created thousands of toys and other premiums for companies worldwide.

Partial Extent

55.0 Linear Feet (84 document boxes, 6 oversize boxes, 4 oversized folders)

Partial Extent

1.6 Gigabytes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Garth Parker premium toy design papers are a compilation of product sketches, designs, portfolios, presentations, product notebooks, and reference materials. Products shown in these materials were designed for fast-food restaurants, cereal brands, cake decorations, and more. The bulk of the materials are from 1995 through 2012.

System of Arrangement

Series I: Garth Parker toy design concept sketches, 1978-2014

Subseries A: Physical pages

Subseries B: Digital files

Series II: Garth Parker leave-behind product notebooks/mailer portfolios, 1996-2005

Series III: Reference materials, 1983-c. 2000

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Garth Parker premium toy design papers were donated to The Strong in August 2013 as a gift from Garth Parker, Andrea Bolton, and Kellan Parker. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 113.4301. The collection was received from Garth Parker in 28 boxes, which were part of a larger donation of premium toys and reference books.

Additional materials were received from Parker in June 2017 and accessioned under Object ID 117.3701.

An additional shipment from Object ID 113.4301 that was received in 2015 was processed and added to the collection in 2025.

Related Materials

The Strong National Museum of Play holds many Garth Parker-designed premiums within its museum collections. The Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play also houses reference books donated by Parker, which he used for designing both licensed character and original premium toys for fast-food restaurants, cereal brands, and more.

Revision Note

Original finding aid created in May 2014; materials added to Series III in November 2014. Additional materials incorporated into collection in September 2019 and July 2025.