Meet The Students!
Stephanie Atherton
Stephanie is a curiosity-driven toy student with a minor in art & design education interested in the intersection of computation, creativity, and playful learning. Her school-winning thesis on geometric design illustrated how computation can be harnessed for creativity, and even helped her a research fellowship with MIT this summer. Under CSAIL, she will be "helping to make design programs better" (simply), and is excited to pursue other creative opportunities following the summer months!
Ryann Benton
Hi, I’m Ryann Benton! I am an optimistic and innovative toy designer who specializes in doll, plush, and preschool designs. I love creating new characters, thinking outside the box, and exploring fresh stories within existing IPs. My designs are infused with a vibrant energy, as I have a deep love for bright colors that bring joy and excitement to every creation.
Sophia Boucher
My name is Sophia, and I am Toy Designer who loves toys ranging from cutesy to horror. I am interested in designing action figures, dolls, and urban vinyl toys.
My name is Hannah DeAguero, and I’m a toy designer born and raised in sunny California. I believe that toys have an incredible value in the development of young minds. That’s why I especially love toys that have the ability to tell meaningful stories with heartfelt characters. My journey as a designer has led me to many different places, even all the way to Europe!
Sophia Franco
My name is Sophia Franco, I'm passionate about creating simple, expressive, and whimsical character designs, as well as technical illustrations. My love for education, STEM themes, and imagination has led to Toy Design being my calling.
Noelani Gaudario
Noelani Gaudario (Noe for short) is a passionate toy designer with a flair for creating delightful miniature toys and whimsical characters that bring joy to children and spark their imagination. Noe's expertise lies in designing preschool toys that not only entertain but also support early development through imaginative play.
Blaise Holtz
I am a one-of-a-kind Toy Designer with proficiency in doll design and development. I have 10+ years' experience in freelance doll commission work, and 2 years of experience in Product Development for dolls and plastics. I pride myself on my communication, time management skills, and creativity. I thrive working in teams as well as independently.
Emily Kan
I’m Emily Kan, a resourceful and versatile toy designer with a passion for all things creative and cute. With strong visual communication skills in both traditional and digital media, I am passionate about turning stories and characters into tangible products through thoughtful design and keen attention to detail. My hands-on experience in the toy industry has deepened my love for creating, collaborating, and bringing the magic of play to life! When I’m not designing toys, I am crocheting adorable plushies for my small business shop, listening to musical theatre soundtracks, or searching for new frog plushies to add to my collection.
Kayla Krawiec
Kayla Krawiec is from South Florida and moved to LA to attend Otis College of Art and Design to pursue toy design. With experience at Jazwares, Mattel, and freelancing for Tree House Kids, she specializes in creating toys that spark joy and creativity!
Jana Kelly
I’m Jana and I am a Toy Designer from Los Angeles, who has a passion for creating cute and colorful toys that spark joy. I am especially interested in plush and preschool toys that encourage early learning, promote creativity, and provide comfort through playful and interactive designs!
Jose Lopez
I’m a veteran and toy designer with a strong passion for horror and storytelling. I enjoy building physical prototypes and exploring how design can push the boundaries of imagination. My work combines eerie themes with hands-on experimentation to create unique, immersive experiences.
Lexi Manalili
My name is Lexi Manalili and I’m a toy designer originally from the Philippines! I love creating plush designs and fun character designs. I am especially interested in character designs for plush and collectable concepts. I love creating stories and worlds, and along with that fun and memorable characters. Growing up, toys always brought me so much joy and fueled my creativity so now I want to design toys that do the same for other kids!
Megan is a toy designer and illustrator with a focus on playsets, character development, plush toys, and collectible designs. Her work incorporates animal and food motifs inspired by her cultural background, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity. With strong attention to detail and a passion for visual storytelling, Megan aims to create work that is both visually engaging and emotionally resonant.
Hi there! I'm Mariel and I am a professional toy designer with a background in Digital Media with an emphasis in Animation. I have worked in the Toy Industry at companies including Jazwares and Just Play during my schooling at Otis College of Art and Design. I am proficient with Adobe software and the 3D Modeling program Zbrush. I'm a toy designer who turns ideas into playful, tangible experiences, blending storytelling, design thinking, and kid-centered creativity into toys that delight, educate, and engage.
Maite Quetzalli Ramírez
Hi! I'm Maite Quetzalli, a toy designer and photographer born and raised in Culver City, California. I'm an artist who enjoys mixing traditional techniques with experimental approaches. My work often draws on nostalgia whether it’s through materials, subject matter, or storytelling to create something that feels both familiar and unexpected.
Isabella Ryall
I grew up an hour south of LA in Rancho Cucamonga, and I’ve always been “the art kid” with a vast imagination. From my time at Spin Master, I have fallen even more in love with the toy industry through the people I've met and the wonderful insight everyone has. It brings me so much joy to be doing what I love and to be surrounded by people with the same passions
as me!
Charlotte Saether
A scandinavian woman filled with curiosity and a love for adventure. Professional certified seamstress and toy designer, who is passionate about everything within entertainment and learning for children and childish adults. Been involved in artistic fields and expression for over 10 years.​
Bex Santana
I’m Bex, a toy designer and collector from New York City. I have a passion for storytelling, character design, and prioritizing design and narratives that highlight people of color.
Sylvia Tuomaranta
Sylvia Tuomaranta is an enthusiastic toy designer with a global perspective and a background working with children. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of being a toy designer after winning Spin Master’s Future Of Play Scholarship in 2022.Sylvia has experience working with various product categories in designing for brands including, Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, Avatar The Last Airbender, Netflix’s Stranger Things,Five Nights at Freddy’s and various Crunchyroll anime franchises.
Yining Wang
Hi, I'm Yining o (>V<o), a creative designer specializing in preschool plush toys and playsets. I am dedicated to creating unique and imaginative toy experiences that allow children to explore, laugh, and play. I believe toys are indispensable companions for children's growth and exploration. Delightful and meaningful toys create endless fun, laughter, and memories for children.
Morgan Wilkerson
Hi, I’m Morgan! LA born and raised; I am a toy designer with a love for all things whimsical and fun! I have always had an immense passion for art and design, and a particular love for sketching and the fine arts. My best design work lies in the areas of preschool and girl’s category toys, in which I can help foster the perfect environment for imagination and play during a child’s formative years!
Christina Zhu
Hi! I’m Christina Zhu, a toy designer born and raised in China with a love for playful storytelling and thoughtful details. I enjoy blending digital tools like Rhino and ZBrush with hands-on techniques like sculpting and painting. I’m especially passionate about designing blind boxes and playsets—creating tiny, character-driven worlds that spark surprise and delight. My work combines charm, interactivity, and imagination to bring joyful experiences to life.