I am an animator, illustrator, and visual artist with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, who also works as a freelance animator and artist on the side. One of my passions is storytelling. I love to tell a story, anyway that I can. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Media Arts in Animation and got my start in the video game industry. I currently work at "Exceptional Minds" as the "Head of Animation" in the academy department, while also working as an Animation Supervisor in the Animation Studio. I have an art wall at "The Hive Gallery" in downtown LA, and I join in their art shows quite frequently.…

Jess Jerome

I am an animator, illustrator, and visual artist with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, who also works as a freelance animator and artist on the side. One of my passions is storytelling. I love to tell a story, anyway that I can. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Media Arts in Animation and got my start in the video game industry. I currently work at "Exceptional Minds" as the "Head of Animation" in the academy department, while also working as an Animation Supervisor in the Animation Studio. I have an art wall at "The Hive Gallery" in downtown LA, and I join in their art shows quite frequently.…

Available to hire

I am an animator, illustrator, and visual artist with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, who also works as a freelance animator and artist on the side. One of my passions is storytelling. I love to tell a story, anyway that I can. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Media Arts in Animation and got my start in the video game industry. I currently work at “Exceptional Minds” as the “Head of Animation” in the academy department, while also working as an Animation Supervisor in the Animation Studio. I have an art wall at “The Hive Gallery” in downtown LA, and I join in their art shows quite frequently.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Head of Animation at Exceptional Minds
January 1, 2017 - Present
Oversee the animation curriculum for the academy; lead a team of artists; manage animation projects and pipeline.
Animation Instructor at Exceptional Minds
January 1, 2013 - Present
Teach Animation to young adults on the autism spectrum.
Video Editor at Exceptional Minds
January 1, 2017 - Present
Create graduation videos, tutorials, social media videos for events and YouTube content.
Freelance Animator at DoubleToasted.com
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Animated shorts for the website/podcast.
Gallery Resident Artist at The Hive Gallery
January 1, 2017 - Present
Host personal artwork and participate in monthly art shows in DLTA.
Level Editor and Environmental Artist at InXile Entertainment
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Worked on games including Wasteland 2 as Level Editor and Environmental Artist.
Quality Assurance Tester at InXile Entertainment
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Tested Hunted; The Demon’s Forge for playability and functionality.
Environment Artist at InXile Entertainment
August 22, 2011 - January 15, 2012
Contributed as an Environment Artist on projects including Wasteland 2 (2013).

Education

Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of California – Orange County
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2009

Qualifications

Selected in Spark Animation Festival 2024
January 1, 2024 - May 31, 2026
Winner, The Marvels of Media Collaborative Innovation Award at Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI)
January 1, 2022 - May 31, 2026
Best Animation Short, Palm Springs International Animation Festival 2019
January 1, 2019 - May 31, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment
    "The Art of Secret of the Hunter" book

    Made a full “Art of” book for the short film Secret of the Hunter. Designed the book along with the cover art. The book is not yet published.

    Watch Your Tone - Animated Short Film

    I was the Animation Clean up supervisor on this short.

    Too Many Options - Animated Short Film

    I was an Animation Supervisor on this job. Created by Exceptional Minds Animation Studio artists, “Too Many Options” is the first of many videos to be included in our upcoming Autism Enlightenment Library.

    The purpose of the Autism Enlightenment Library (AEL) is to create a public library of videos that help people understand individuals on the autism spectrum and appreciate them and love them for who they are.