Ellie is concept development artist from Minnestoa, working as a freelancer in visual development, illustration, and graphic design contracts. She received her BFA in Concept Development for Animation from Savannah College of Art and Design with a minor in Visual Effects. She currently works for Nehslo Animation Studios as their Head of Design but is actively looking for other animation and design roles to help further her career. She is looking primarily for full-time employment and dreams of one day working in the entertainment animation industry.…

Ellie Copeland

PRO

Ellie is concept development artist from Minnestoa, working as a freelancer in visual development, illustration, and graphic design contracts. She received her BFA in Concept Development for Animation from Savannah College of Art and Design with a minor in Visual Effects. She currently works for Nehslo Animation Studios as their Head of Design but is actively looking for other animation and design roles to help further her career. She is looking primarily for full-time employment and dreams of one day working in the entertainment animation industry.…

Available to hire

Ellie is concept development artist from Minnestoa, working as a freelancer in visual development, illustration, and graphic design contracts. She received her BFA in Concept Development for Animation from Savannah College of Art and Design with a minor in Visual Effects. She currently works for Nehslo Animation Studios as their Head of Design but is actively looking for other animation and design roles to help further her career. She is looking primarily for full-time employment and dreams of one day working in the entertainment animation industry.

See more

Skills

Experience Level

Illustration
Expert
Freehand Digital Illustration
Expert
Freelance Gig
Expert
Character Design
Expert
Business Card
Expert
Branding
Expert
Artwork
Expert
Adobe Photoshop
Expert
Procreate
Expert
Adobe After Effects
Expert
Animation
Expert
Adobe Illustrator
Expert
Script
Intermediate
Pitch Deck
Intermediate
Motion Graphic
Intermediate
Short Film
Intermediate
Fantasy Illustration
Intermediate
Logo
Intermediate
Web Design
Intermediate
Icon
Intermediate
Game Design
Intermediate
Poster
Intermediate
Sticker
Intermediate
Tattoo Design
Intermediate
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
Intermediate
Autodesk SketchBook
Intermediate
Book Illustration
Intermediate
Book Cover
Intermediate
Childrens Book Illustration
Intermediate
Cartoon
Intermediate
Email Design
Intermediate
Autodesk Maya
Intermediate
3D Design
Intermediate
Explainer Video
Beginner
3D Animation
Beginner
3D Model
Beginner
Blender
Beginner
See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Head of Design at Nehslo Animation Studios
December 1, 2024 - June 23, 2024
Worked under the founder creating a diverse and capable design team for current and future projects. In charge of direction for short films while aiding in concept development, writing, and art direction. Guided and critiqued the creative team to ensure all work remains on-brand to the production. Helped establish a uniform brand for the company and maintain a professional presence online.
Director at The Shepherd’s Flock
March 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024
Created an original concept including script, character designs, environmental designs, and key images to pitch. Led a small team in visual development and animation style. Provided constructive criticism to guide art direction and maintain consistency. Coordinated across departments to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
Freelance Illustrator at Self-Employed
January 1, 2018 - June 23, 2024
Worked in a wide range of illustrative styles to match client’s vision. Established welcoming communication strategies to ensure customer satisfaction.
Visual Development Artist at Caved In Stone
June 1, 2022 - February 28, 2024
Created environments and props that fit the aesthetic of the film while closely working and receiving critique from the Director, Creative Director, and Producer. Worked with the Director to create the final poster for the film as a promotional marketing piece.
Design Intern at Pixel Farm
June 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023
Created original animations, characters and 2D puppet rigs, illustrations, and animatics for commercials and internal projects. Collaborated with creative leads to improve narrative styles and artistic choices. Created finalized work within Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as Procreate.
Animation Intern at Data Protocol
June 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022
Created motion graphics using Adobe After Effects on different educational topics. Utilized character design, storyboarding, illustration, background painting, and storytelling elements to create a short internal film.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design
September 7, 2020 - May 31, 2024
BFA in Concept Development for Animation - Minor in Visual Effects

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Real Estate & Construction
    uniE621 Hiraeth
    This project was for the launch of a clothing brand. The client wanted a 1920-30's animation character style for the frog and skeleton and really encapsulate the rubber-hose style. Done in Adobe Illustrator illustration rubberhose frog skeleton characterdesign graphicdesign clothingdesign branding illustrator designer…
    uniE608 Coffee Tango
    A personally driven advertisement assignment that I created while interning at Pixel Farm in Minneapolis, MN. For this animation I was responsible for the character rigs and animation, as well as the 2D animation. I also created storyboards, animatics, and style frames to explore the final concept before final execution. See the full breakdown here, https://www.twine.net/signin/coffee-tango. Camera Move by Alicia Reece-Allen | Background Square Animation by Shun Matsuhashi animation characteranimation 2danimation puppetanimation…
    uniE621 The Shepherd's Flock
    "The Shepherd's Flock" is a short 2D animated film that was created as my senior thesis film. The film is not currently available for public view yet, but you can see visual development work. background designs, and storyboards on my website here https://www.twine.net/signin/the-shepherds-flock-visdev. This project was made possible by an amazing group of students that I lead as director. I worked with my teammates on finalizing the story over the course of year and creating artwork that enhanced the story. backgroundartist illustrator visualdevelopment…
    uniE621 Spirits - Hazy Home
    A small collection of illustrations done while exploring ways of rendering environments and inspired by local weather. This piece in particular is inspired by Canadian wildfires that made my Minnesotan sky very hazy. Other works in this collection you can find here, https://www.twine.net/signin/illustration illustrator…
    uniE621 Groove Cycle - Pineapple Mango Serenity
    A collaboration with The Fermentorium brewery to redesign and update their Groove Cycle THC drink line. The original design, made with AI, needed to be upgraded so that the brand was more exciting as well as more cohesive as new flavors were released. For the redesign, I pulled inspiration from the 1970's disco era and used lots of bright colors and musical undertones to complete the design. You can see the fill sample here, https://www.twine.net/signin/posts/ellie-copeland-424175209_groove-cycle-branding-breakdown-activity-7301026606494404608-g_aO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADTiNxwBOAxZfCn1gOb4jyufkSmDiInkfvg illustrator branding graphicdesign…
    uniE621 Dinosaur Olympics
    A fun challenge done for the Character Design Challenge on Instagram for August's prompt. illustrator characterdesign…
    uniE621 Wedding Invitations
    A fun personal client who wanted illustrative invites done for her wedding. illustrator wedding weddinginvite poster card carddesign…
    paper Carved In Stone
    A collection of work I created for the short film "Carved In Stone". I worked closely with the director, art director, and producer to create concept art for their environmental creation into Unreal Engine, and creating the film's poster for promotional purposes. See the full work here, https://www.twine.net/signin/carved-in-stone illustrator conceptartist…