Chrystal Villamarzo
About Chrystal Villamarzo
Chrystal Villamarzo serves as an Associate Product Development Manager at Wizards of the Coast, where she has worked since 2020. With a background in design and product management, she focuses on creating merchandise that resonates with fans of video games and anime.
Work at Wizards of the Coast
Chrystal Villamarzo has been serving as the Associate Product Development Manager at Wizards of the Coast since 2020. In this role, she is responsible for developing products that resonate with fans of various franchises. Based in Renton, Washington, she collaborates with teams to create merchandise that reflects fan culture and enhances the consumer experience.
Previous Experience in Product Design
Before joining Wizards of the Coast, Chrystal held several positions in product design. She worked as a Consumer Graphic/Product Designer at Loot Crate from 2018 to 2019. Prior to that, she was a Collectible Product Designer at Mighty Fine Inc. from 2015 to 2017 and a Merchandise Product Designer at Welovefine during the same period. Her early career included a Technical Design Internship at Kellwood Company in 2012.
Educational Background
Chrystal Villamarzo studied at Mt. San Antonio College, where she earned multiple Associate of Science degrees in Fashion/Apparel Design, Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication, and Fashion Merchandising. Her education spanned from 2006 to 2013. Additionally, she has pursued further education in Product Management at General Assembly since 2018.
Focus on Fan Culture
Chrystal actively engages with fan culture by traveling across the country to attend video game and anime conventions. She observes and interacts with fan-consumers to gain insights into their preferences. This understanding informs her product development process, allowing her to create merchandise that resonates with fans and reflects their passion for various intellectual properties.
Product Development Approach
In her role, Chrystal employs a creative approach to product design, involving multiple iterations of concepts to achieve unique designs. She aims to create products that fans did not realize they wanted until they see them. Her work focuses on bridging external collaborators and potential licensees, ensuring that the merchandise aligns with fan expectations and enhances their connection to the brands.