Lauren Johanna Faust (born July 25, 1974) is an American animator, storyboard artist and developer. She was born in Annapolis, Maryland, and trained in animation at the California Institute of the Arts. Over her career she has worked across television as an artist and creative lead, combining humor, vivid character design and a focus on depth and personality in stories that are often aimed at children but enjoyed by wider audiences in television.
Career and notable roles
Faust began her professional work as a storyboard artist and animator on several well-known animated series. Early in her career she earned recognition for her contributions to projects such as The Powerpuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. Her credits on these shows involved storyboarding, visual development and bringing energetic staging and character-driven beats to episodic comedy and action.
Her most prominent public role came when she developed the animated series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic for a major toy and entertainment company. Faust reimagined the franchise with an emphasis on distinct personalities, relatable character growth and tightly plotted episodes. After the first season finale, she announced on May 8, 2011 that she would step down as Executive Producer and continue on as Consulting Producer.
Artistic approach and themes
Faust is known for advocating strong, complex female characters and for pushing for stories that balance humor with meaningful emotional arcs. Her approach emphasizes clear silhouette-driven character design, expressive posing and storyboard choices that support both comedic timing and dramatic moments. She has also engaged directly with fans and fellow artists online, sharing sketches and discussing craft on public art communities and social platforms.
Selected credits
- The Powerpuff Girls — storyboard artist and animator on multiple episodes
- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends — storyboard and development contributions
- My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic — developer and initial executive producer (later consulting producer)
While she has worked on a range of other animation projects in various creative roles, these titles highlight Faust's impact on mainstream American animation: blending accessible comedy with layered characters and building shows that have attracted diverse, enthusiastic audiences. Her influence is often cited in discussions about modern children's television and the design of character-driven animated series.
For further information and a sense of her artwork, interviews and public commentary, see official credits and her public art postings where she sometimes interacts with fans and explains aspects of her process.