Maria Young designs children’s toys and crafts at Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids

Maria Young, a Senior Product Developer and Graphic Designer in Ohio, creates toy and craft products for children at Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids. Her work spans concept to shelf, with a focus on sensory play, and she also mentors new hires and volunteers in her community.

Why it matters: - Maria Young’s work shapes products that reach children and families through retail shelves, where design, safety, and play value all have to line up. - Her focus on sensory toys and craft experiences ties product development to childhood creativity, imagination, and self-expression. - Young also contributes outside the office through volunteer service and child sponsorship, showing how her professional mission extends into community impact.

What happened: - Maria Young serves as Senior Product Developer and Graphic Designer at Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids in Independence, Ohio. - She has spent the past decade developing toy and craft products for children around the world. - Young oversees concept development, sourcing, prototyping, packaging design, instructional materials, and retail displays. - Her work centers on sensory compounds, tools, fidget toys, and interactive craft experiences for children from preschool through age eight. - The profile highlights her as a woman whose career combines design, product development, and mentorship. - Young also mentors and trains new hires while continuing to do hands-on design work. - The profile is available through her Influential Women page.

The details: - Young holds a Bachelor of Science from Ashland University with studies in commercial art and minors in business administration and studio art. - She also attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh during her junior year through a college affiliate program. - Young is an ASTRA Certified Play Expert. - She started her career working on graphics and sourcing for a gift and stationery company before moving into product development. - Her early roles gave her experience in both the creative and practical sides of bringing products to market. - She works with cross-functional teams, vendors, and retail partners to meet quality standards. - Young’s products are designed to appeal to children, reassure parents, and stand out in stores. - She says her success comes from staying young at heart and keeping curiosity, creativity, and joy at the center of her work. - Young says she also understands the calming benefits of sensory experiences and uses them as self-care. - Her goal is to design products that encourage creativity, imaginative play, and accessible experiences for children worldwide.

Between the lines: - Young’s career blends artistic training with business knowledge, which is useful in an industry where creative ideas must also meet commercial demands. - Her advice to younger women in product development reflects how fast consumer trends move in toys and crafts. - She encourages trend research, store visits, and watching platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to track what resonates with consumers. - Her community work mirrors the care and empathy she brings to product design, suggesting a consistent personal value system across her life and career.

What’s next: - Young is expected to keep developing children’s products while mentoring newer team members. - Her profile suggests continued focus on sensory play, imaginative design, and products that respond to changing consumer interests. - She will likely keep balancing professional work with volunteer service and family life.

The bottom line: - Maria Young’s career shows how product development can sit at the intersection of creativity, business, and child development, with real impact on both customers and community.