I’m Michael Kilgore, a creative illustrator and graphic designer with 20+ years of experience crafting engaging visuals for diverse audiences. I specialize in kid-friendly illustration, brand-elevating print and digital design, and animation, with a strong focus on visual storytelling and production-ready deliverables. I’ve collaborated with teams to manage projects end to end—from concept to final files—using Adobe Creative Cloud tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and InDesign. I’ve also produced depth maps and visual effects work for major 3D film conversions and created custom caricature portraits that enhance guest experiences and drive positive results. You can find my portfolio here: [Kilgore Art and Design](_Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_…

Michael Kilgore

Pro

I’m Michael Kilgore, a creative illustrator and graphic designer with 20+ years of experience crafting engaging visuals for diverse audiences. I specialize in kid-friendly illustration, brand-elevating print and digital design, and animation, with a strong focus on visual storytelling and production-ready deliverables. I’ve collaborated with teams to manage projects end to end—from concept to final files—using Adobe Creative Cloud tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and InDesign. I’ve also produced depth maps and visual effects work for major 3D film conversions and created custom caricature portraits that enhance guest experiences and drive positive results. You can find my portfolio here: [Kilgore Art and Design](_Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_…

Available to hire

I’m Michael Kilgore, a creative illustrator and graphic designer with 20+ years of experience crafting engaging visuals for diverse audiences. I specialize in kid-friendly illustration, brand-elevating print and digital design, and animation, with a strong focus on visual storytelling and production-ready deliverables.

I’ve collaborated with teams to manage projects end to end—from concept to final files—using Adobe Creative Cloud tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and InDesign. I’ve also produced depth maps and visual effects work for major 3D film conversions and created custom caricature portraits that enhance guest experiences and drive positive results.

You can find my portfolio here: [Kilgore Art and Design](Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Depth Artist at Legend 3D
October 1, 2010 - October 1, 2010
Supported 3D conversion of feature films by creating depth maps and isolating visual elements for compositing. Collaborated with compositors and supervisors to ensure depth accuracy and visual continuity. Maintained organized production files, naming conventions, and asset management to streamline collaboration and workflow efficiency.
Compositor at Legend 3D
July 1, 2010 - October 30, 2010
Collaborated with production and visual effects teams to deliver seamless 3D film conversions for feature projects, including Shrek 2 and Shrek 3. Utilized After Effects and industry-standard tools to remove visual artifacts, rotoscope elements, and composite layers for depth and realism. Ensured color, lighting, and perspective consistency across frames and scenes. Coordinated deadlines and client specifications under tight timeframes and helped optimize post-production workflows.
Depth Artist
March 1, 2010 - June 1, 2010
Facilitated 3D conversion for feature films by constructing detailed depth maps and isolating critical elements for compositing. Refined scene realism using proprietary software to create immersive, lifelike visual effects. Collaborated with compositors and creative supervisors to align artistic vision with technical execution for on-schedule completion, supported consistent depth accuracy across complex, multi-layered sequences, and streamlined asset management through structured project file organization.
Graphic Designer, Illustrator, & Animator at Kilgore Art and Design
January 1, 2010 - Present
Designed and produced high-quality print and digital materials, including brochures, banners, postcards, and signage; applied Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to produce color-correct, production-ready files meeting CMYK, Pantone, bleed, and crop mark specifications; oversaw day-to-day operations, including project scheduling, client communication, vendor coordination, and cost estimation; partnered with marketing and sales teams to align creative concepts with strategic goals; translated client objectives into cohesive visual stories; researched trends in print production and design innovation; illustrated visuals with vivid colors for children's books, comic art and graphic novels.
Caricature Artist at Kaman's Art Shoppes / San Diego Zoo
May 30, 2009 - February 27, 2010
Created caricature drawings for tourist customers using Markette permanent markers and Prismacolor art sticks; upsold customers on matting and framing options to enhance presentation and sales.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Graphics and Animation (High Honors) at ITT Technical Institute
September 1, 2006 - March 1, 2010

Qualifications

Adobe Creative Suite Mastery (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
January 11, 2030 - November 1, 2025
Digital Illustration & Blender Animation Techniques
January 11, 2030 - November 1, 2025
Advanced Color Theory, Print Production, and CMYK Management
January 11, 2005 - November 1, 2025
Typography & Layout Design Workshop
January 11, 2005 - November 1, 2025
Project Coordination and Workflow Efficiency for Creative Teams
January 11, 2005 - November 12, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Education
    Star Trek: The Next Generation T-shirt Design
    graphicdesigner branding illustrator designer logo…
    Neon Crosses book cover
    Book cover for Neon Crosses, created using 2D and 3D elements…
    Pelagia Film Festival Movie Poster
    Movie poster for a film festival designed using 2D and 3D elements…
    Red the Fire Truck Cover
    Cover for Red the Fire Truck, a forty-page children's book illustrated by Kilgore Art and Design…
    Treasure Trove Logo
    Digital logo design using 2D and 3D design elements…
    Everlasting Media Group Logo
    Logo design and creation for Everlasting Media Group…