KN

Kiera Nicely

Available to hire

I'm an animation-trained illustrator and visual storyteller with experience bringing ideas to life through concept art, branded editorial visuals, work in the publishing industry, and educational illustration.

About

I’m an animation-trained illustrator and visual storyteller with experience bringing ideas to life through concept art, branded editorial visuals, work in the publishing industry, and educational illustration. I enjoy creating expressive, stylized characters with bold colour and clean linework.

I’ve built a strong style and composition awareness from my time supporting large-scale animation and VFX pipelines at Industrial Light & Magic, and I balance that with client communication and creative collaboration from my freelance work and marketing and consulting experience. I also support learners as a history and art tutor, offering clear explanations and visuals so complex ideas feel approachable and engaging.

  • 11 years' experience
  • Joined September 2026

Industry experience

  • Media & Entertainment
  • Education
  • Retail
  • Non-Profit Organization
  • Professional Services

Work experience· 6 roles

Acting General Manager / Key Holder · Coles / Indigo Books & MusicNov 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 1 mo

Maintained scheduling, inventory planning, operational reporting, and service standards while balancing competing priorities. Communicated operational updates and priorities between leadership and team members, proactively resolving issues to minimize disruption. Produced operational reports, documentation, and compliance records, operating independently during leadership coverage periods. Supported onboarding and training on operational procedures, customer service standards, and company processes, using AI-assisted workflows to improve documentation and project organization.

Marketing Manager / Freelance Brand Consultant · FreelanceFeb 2020 – Feb 2023 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Managed multiple concurrent client projects in a fully remote environment, balancing timelines, stakeholder feedback, deliverables, and shifting priorities. Developed visual and written content to educate, engage, and inform target audiences across digital platforms. Monitored sales metrics, customer engagement, and marketplace analytics to support planning and continuous improvement, while creating multimedia assets, presentations, and branded content with consistent channel messaging. Helped grow audience presence to 20,000+ followers within four months through strategic content planning and user-focused communication.

Executive Assistant / Creative Lead · The Baron Foundation / Boomerang LifeJan 2019 – Jan 2020 · 1 yr 1 mo

Coordinated project schedules, tracked deliverables, managed production workflows, and maintained visibility on deadlines, priorities, and timely handoffs. Coordinated stakeholder communication, meetings, project updates, and follow-up actions across internal and external teams. Improved workflow organization through clearer systems, documentation, and process support, while supporting marketing and operational initiatives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Illustrator · FreelanceDec 2018 – Present · 8 yrs
Production Assistant / Junior Concept Artist · Industrial Light & Magic (Disney/Lucasfilm)May 2017 – May 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo
Private Tutor (History & Art) · FreelanceNov 2014 – Present · 12 yrs 1 mo

Education

Bachelor of Animation · University of Toronto / Sheridan College2014 – 2017
Certificate of Art Fundamentals · Sheridan College2013 – 2014

Certifications and awards

Certificate of Art Fundamentals2013 – 2014
Bachelor of Animation2014 – 2017

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