Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Family
Timeline
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Steven Russell Wells

Steven Russell Wells

Waukesha,WI

Summary

Dynamic Art Director and Lead Character Designer with extensive experience at Nickelodeon Animation & Marvel Studios, specializing in character design and concept art. Proven expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and creative direction, driving successful projects like the Rugrats CG Reboot. Adept at visual storytelling and concept development, delivering innovative designs that resonate with audiences.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Art Director/Copy Artist

The Bright Agency
London, UK
09.2024 - Current
  • All published properties
  • Produced sketches, storyboards and roughs to visualize ideas.
  • Developed creative concepts and visual designs for a variety of projects.
  • Adapted existing designs or created new ones based on client needs or changes in market conditions.

Character Designer

Marvel Studios Animation
Burbank, CA
03.2022 - Current
  • X-Men 97’ (Seasons 1-3) & Ironheart Series
  • Developed character concepts for animated series and feature films.
  • Created detailed character turnarounds and expression sheets for animation teams.
  • Brainstormed ideas with other artists to come up with unique concepts for characters.

Lead Character Designer

Nickelodeon Animation
Burbank, CA
11.2019 - 03.2022
  • Rugrats (CG Reboot) & Big Nate (Development)
  • Created character designs aligning with Nickelodeon's unique animation style.
  • Developed turnarounds and expression sheets for animated characters.
  • Mentored junior designers on character development techniques and best practices.
  • Designed detailed clothing and accessories for each character based on their backstory.
  • Identified potential problems in the early stages of development to avoid costly fixes later on.
  • Created color palettes and textures for characters using digital painting tools.

Character Designer

Fox Animation/Titmouse
03.2019 - 09.2019
  • Bless the Harts (Season 1)
  • Arlo the Alligator Boy (Development)

Lead Character Designer

Paramount Feature Animation
04.2018 - 03.2019
  • SpongeBob SquarePants 3
  • Under the Boardwalk (Full-Time Development)

Character Designer

DreamWorks Animation
04.2017 - 03.2018
  • The Mighty Ones
  • Home: Adventures with Tip and Oh!

Visual Development Artist

Paramount Feature Animation
12.2016 - 03.2017
  • NDA Protected Feature Film Development

Character Designer

Nickelodeon Animation
08.2012 - 12.2016
  • Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie
  • Bug Salad (Digital Shorts)
  • SpongeBob SquarePants (Season 9)
  • Pig Goat Banana Cricket (Season 1&2)
  • Sanjay & Craig (Seasons 1-3)

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Visual Arts

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
06-2008

Skills

  • Character design
  • Concept development
  • Art direction
  • Digital illustration
  • Visual storytelling
  • Adobe photoshop
  • Style guides
  • Digital painting
  • Team collaboration
  • Character development
  • Graphic design background
  • Openness to feedback
  • Team leadership
  • Deadline management

Accomplishments

  • People's Choice Award for Character Design in an Animated Series - X-Men 97'
  • Emmy nomination in Character Design Individual Achievement for Sanjay & Craig, PGBC, Rugrats, & SpongeBob 3

Family

Father to 2 little boys, Kanan (7) and Rembrandt (4)

Timeline

Art Director/Copy Artist

The Bright Agency
09.2024 - Current

Character Designer

Marvel Studios Animation
03.2022 - Current

Lead Character Designer

Nickelodeon Animation
11.2019 - 03.2022

Character Designer

Fox Animation/Titmouse
03.2019 - 09.2019

Lead Character Designer

Paramount Feature Animation
04.2018 - 03.2019

Character Designer

DreamWorks Animation
04.2017 - 03.2018

Visual Development Artist

Paramount Feature Animation
12.2016 - 03.2017

Character Designer

Nickelodeon Animation
08.2012 - 12.2016

Bachelor of Arts - Visual Arts

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

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