Hi, I’m Kayla, a storyboard artist and designer who loves bringing ideas to life through visuals. I enjoy collaborating with authors to faithfully design characters and layouts and to tell stories through clear storyboards and expressive illustrations. I work across 2D animation and background art, using Toon Boom and Adobe tools to craft engaging, kid-friendly experiences. I’m excited to continue creating memorable worlds and characters.…

Kayla McNelley

Hi, I’m Kayla, a storyboard artist and designer who loves bringing ideas to life through visuals. I enjoy collaborating with authors to faithfully design characters and layouts and to tell stories through clear storyboards and expressive illustrations. I work across 2D animation and background art, using Toon Boom and Adobe tools to craft engaging, kid-friendly experiences. I’m excited to continue creating memorable worlds and characters.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Kayla, a storyboard artist and designer who loves bringing ideas to life through visuals. I enjoy collaborating with authors to faithfully design characters and layouts and to tell stories through clear storyboards and expressive illustrations.

I work across 2D animation and background art, using Toon Boom and Adobe tools to craft engaging, kid-friendly experiences. I’m excited to continue creating memorable worlds and characters.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Animator/Storyboard Artist at Sputnik
October 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025
Freelance work on interactive exhibits; designed creatures for exhibits and created looping animations.
Freelance Artist/Animator at Sputnik
October 1, 2025 - Present
Designed a creature for the Hoot and Howl interactive exhibit for the Children's Museum & Theater of Maine; created two looping animations for this character.
Night Market Effects Animator at Portland Children's Museum
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Created interactive exhibit effects and animations for the Night Market exhibit; collaborated with exhibit designers to bring visuals to life for children.
Animator (Effects) at Portland Children's Museum
January 1, 2025 - Present
Night Market interactive exhibit animator; created effects animation for an exhibit based on a children’s book.
Lead Storyboard Artist, Animator, and Background Artist at Tiny Wizard Productions
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led storyboard and animation for Tiny Wizard: Portal Pandemonium; won Best Mixed Media and Overall Audience Choice at the MECA Film Festival.
Lead Storyboard Artist and Lead Background Designer at Studio Ravencraft
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Led storyboard development and background design; collaborated with writers and directors to craft visual storytelling.
Lead Storyboard Artist, Lead Background Designer at Studio Ravencraft
January 1, 2024 - Present
Collaborative work; led storyboard and background design for multiple projects including Who’s There?.
Freelance Designer at Self-Made Designs
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Independent and collaborative freelance design and storyboarding projects; developed quick-turnaround solutions and client-ready visuals.
In-House Designer at Self-Made Designs
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Used Photoshop and created layouts and product shots for apparel iteration based on feedback.

Education

Bachelor in Animation at Maine College of Art and Design
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2026
Bachelor in Animation at Maine College of Art and Design
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2026

Qualifications

BA in Animation and game art
August 28, 2022 - May 8, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other
    I'm Still Here

    A 2D short film about how those who die are still with us in some capacity, living on in our hearts and in what we remember them by. The film follows this idea through the use of the cardinal and it’s associations with being messengers from the dead.