I’m Katherine Nghiem, a 2D character concept artist and digital illustrator based in Falls Church, VA. I create original character designs and visual storytelling assets for animated film projects, bringing ideas from concept art and storyboarding into polished, turnaround-ready artwork. I’m also an experienced freelance and promotional artist, comfortable collaborating with directors and teams, presenting work for critique, and adapting characters and backgrounds to support the story. Alongside my film work, I’ve built promotional art for social media and character art for client commissions.…

Katherine Inghiem

I’m Katherine Nghiem, a 2D character concept artist and digital illustrator based in Falls Church, VA. I create original character designs and visual storytelling assets for animated film projects, bringing ideas from concept art and storyboarding into polished, turnaround-ready artwork. I’m also an experienced freelance and promotional artist, comfortable collaborating with directors and teams, presenting work for critique, and adapting characters and backgrounds to support the story. Alongside my film work, I’ve built promotional art for social media and character art for client commissions.…

Available to hire

I’m Katherine Nghiem, a 2D character concept artist and digital illustrator based in Falls Church, VA. I create original character designs and visual storytelling assets for animated film projects, bringing ideas from concept art and storyboarding into polished, turnaround-ready artwork.

I’m also an experienced freelance and promotional artist, comfortable collaborating with directors and teams, presenting work for critique, and adapting characters and backgrounds to support the story. Alongside my film work, I’ve built promotional art for social media and character art for client commissions.

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Language

English
Fluent
Vietnamese
Advanced

Work Experience

2D Character Concept Designer & Promotional Artist (Film) at George Mason University OSCAR funded
July 31, 2025 - Present
Scouted out by the art director through my animation skills in a shared course, “2D Experimental Animation 382,” where three frame-by-frame animations over 1:30-2:00 minutes were produced Develop original character concepts for an animated film project awarded $1,500 through the George Mason University OSCAR grant, intended to be shown at film festivals upon completion of the project Produce eight works towards the film, including six character design exploration and concept reiterations and two character turnarounds using the digital software Procreate Lead designer for one of the three characters shown in the film, producing a full-body turnaround as the base for the 3D animators Provide substantial feedback to the film director, animators, and artists on topics of foreground, background, character visibility, storyboarding, and character design Attend every meeting between the director and other artists, offering new ideas to solve design confusion Appointed as one of the few artists from the team to create promotional art for the film’s social media presence to promote social media audience awareness and project visibility through posting the works online, gaining 800 views and 300 unique accounts on Instagram
Advertisement/Artboard Designer & Barista at Gong Cha
June 1, 2022 - December 1, 2024
- Designed 14 visually engaging promotional art blackboards and four social media-friendly wall backdrop displays for photo-taking opportunities during seasonal and holiday times - Promoted store visibility and communicated effectively with customers about products on an individual level daily - Served and communicated with 60+ customers daily while maintaining high service standards in a fast-paced environment - Created 10+ Instagram story promoting the business for a contest among employees, claiming title of most story posts made - Assisted with inventory management, supply tracking, and operational coordination - Collaborated with management to provide customer insights, promotional recommendations, and sales support strategies - Trained over five newly hired employees about the store’s operations and routine, dedicating over 30 hours per new hire
Freelance Digital Illustrator at Self-employed
May 31, 2020 - Present
- Opened digital commissions for character art and sold 14 pieces for 13 unique clients, including Pride art and character design sheets - Handled open and timely communication with multiple clients at a time - Ensured clients were satisfied with the end product by taking clients through the stages of the process

Education

B.A. in Art and Visual Technology; Minor in Illustration at George Mason University, College of Visual and Performing Arts
August 22, 2022 - May 14, 2026
Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition (Certificate) at Graphic Design Foundations (certificate program)
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025

Qualifications

Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition Certificate
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2026
Mason IDEA Scholarship ($4,000)
January 1, 2022 - September 1, 2026
Silver Key Award (Fairfax County Regional Scholastic Art Awards)
January 1, 2022 - September 1, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Retail
    Indie Film- I'm 43 And I Still Live With My Mom

    An independent 3D animated film created by Shahroze Malik, centered around the horror of time passing and feeling left behind on society’s clock.

    Indie Film- I'm 43 And I Still Live With My Mom
    2D Character Concept Designer & Promotional Artist August 2025 – Present Scouted out by the art director through my animation skills in a shared course, “2D Experimental Animation 382,” where three frame-by-frame animations over 1:30-2:00 minutes were produced Develop original character concepts for an animated film project awarded $1,500 through the George Mason University OSCAR grant, intended to be shown at film festivals upon completion of the project Produce eight works towards the film, including six character design exploration and concept reiterations and two character turnarounds using the digital software Procreate Lead designer for one of the three characters shown in the film, producing a full-body turnaround as the base for the 3D animators Provide substantial feedback to the film director, animators, and artists on topics of foreground, background, character visibility, storyboarding, and character design Attend every meeting between the director and other artists, offering new ideas to solve design confusion Appointed as one of the few artists from the team to create promotional art for the film’s social media presence to promote social media audience awareness and project visibility through posting the works online, gaining 800 views and 300 unique accounts on Instagram illustrator 2Dartist characterdesign conceptartist…
    Indie Film- I'm 43 And I Still Live With My Mom
    2D Character Concept Designer & Promotional Artist August 2025 – Present Scouted out by the art director through my animation skills in a shared course, “2D Experimental Animation 382,” where three frame-by-frame animations over 1:30-2:00 minutes were produced Develop original character concepts for an animated film project awarded $1,500 through the George Mason University OSCAR grant, intended to be shown at film festivals upon completion of the project Produce eight works towards the film, including six character design exploration and concept reiterations and two character turnarounds using the digital software Procreate Lead designer for one of the three characters shown in the film, producing a full-body turnaround as the base for the 3D animators Provide substantial feedback to the film director, animators, and artists on topics of foreground, background, character visibility, storyboarding, and character design Attend every meeting between the director and other artists, offering new ideas to solve design confusion Appointed as one of the few artists from the team to create promotional art for the film’s social media presence to promote social media audience awareness and project visibility through posting the works online, gaining 800 views and 300 unique accounts on Instagram illustrator 2Dartist characterdesign conceptartist…