Looks like you have JavaScript disabled. For the full Twine experience, you will need to re-enable it.

Hi! I'm Rin Sharpe, a visual development artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I specialize in character design, background painting, and storyboarding, and I love building immersive worlds through color, mood, and composition. I collaborate with teams to bring ideas to life across animation, illustration, and game projects. I'm passionate about storytelling grounded in research and culture, with experience designing characters and environments for Startales, The Family Antique, and various freelance projects. I enjoy exploring new media and tools to craft expressive visuals that support strong narratives for screen and interactive media.…Hi! I'm Rin Sharpe, a visual development artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I specialize in character design, background painting, and storyboarding, and I love building immersive worlds through color, mood, and composition. I collaborate with teams to bring ideas to life across animation, illustration, and game projects. I'm passionate about storytelling grounded in research and culture, with experience designing characters and environments for Startales, The Family Antique, and various freelance projects. I enjoy exploring new media and tools to craft expressive visuals that support strong narratives for screen and interactive media.

Rin Sharpe

Illustrator, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist, +2





Hi! I'm Rin Sharpe, a visual development artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I specialize in character design, background painting, and storyboarding, and I love building immersive worlds through color, mood, and composition. I collaborate with teams to bring ideas to life across animation, illustration, and game projects. I'm passionate about storytelling grounded in research and culture, with experience designing characters and environments for Startales, The Family Antique, and various freelance projects. I enjoy exploring new media and tools to craft expressive visuals that support strong narratives for screen and interactive media.…Hi! I'm Rin Sharpe, a visual development artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I specialize in character design, background painting, and storyboarding, and I love building immersive worlds through color, mood, and composition. I collaborate with teams to bring ideas to life across animation, illustration, and game projects. I'm passionate about storytelling grounded in research and culture, with experience designing characters and environments for Startales, The Family Antique, and various freelance projects. I enjoy exploring new media and tools to craft expressive visuals that support strong narratives for screen and interactive media.

Available to hire

Hi! I’m Rin Sharpe, a visual development artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I specialize in character design, background painting, and storyboarding, and I love building immersive worlds through color, mood, and composition. I collaborate with teams to bring ideas to life across animation, illustration, and game projects.

I’m passionate about storytelling grounded in research and culture, with experience designing characters and environments for Startales, The Family Antique, and various freelance projects. I enjoy exploring new media and tools to craft expressive visuals that support strong narratives for screen and interactive media.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Chinese

Intermediate

Thai

Intermediate

Work Experience

Visual Development Artist at Startales

January 1, 2025 - Present

An ongoing project about the stars and constellations. Developed 15+ character designs, pitch development, world-building assets, storyboarded and animated a two-minute trailer.

Illustrator at Animation Discovery Studio

May 1, 2024 - July 1, 2024

Note: duplicate entry retained for completeness; original engagement listed above.

Animation Intern at Animation Discovery Studio

May 1, 2024 - July 1, 2024

Worked with children through various workshops to teach them the basics of animation. Ideated with other team members on potential story animations.

Illustrator at Artist In Residence (University of Michigan Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

August 1, 2023 - December 1, 2023

Designed 8 illustrations for the University of Michigan’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's Instagram.

Character Designer, Background Artist, & UI Artist at Cellosium

May 1, 2023 - August 1, 2023

Developed and designed 6 character designs, background art, UI assets for a game about cells and fighting.

Freelance Children’s Illustrator at Sylhet Stories

May 1, 2023 - August 1, 2023

Illustrated a total of 30 pages for two children’s books; retold stories from the Greater Sylhet Region. Created character concept art and environmental designs. Worked with project lead and co-artist to ensure illustrations accurate to the culture.

Storyboard Artist at But She’s Not There

January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023

Story ideated and wrote a script for a three-minute storyboard about a vet and the loss of her pet. Blocked and sketched panels for storyboard.

Illustrator at Monkey Good, Monkey Evil

January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023

Illustrated concept art, 4 character designs, and 6 comic panels for a potential comic book inspired by a Japanese folk-faith. Pitch to a small committee.

Character Design & Background Artist at Subtension

August 1, 2022 - December 1, 2022

Ideated story beats and created concept art for a game about upgrading your submarine and battling opponents. Developed and designed submarine assets, including 4 utility rooms and the main submarine.

Background Artist & Animator at The Family Antique

January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022

Animated a two-minute short story about a boy and his family trauma. Designed the main character, turnarounds, and illustrated 17 background environments. Composed and mixed original music.