Hi, I’m Serena Yetter, a multidisciplinary artist and puppeteer with a background in animation, puppetry, and illustration. I’ve led teams that contributed puppets and animatronics to award-winning attractions around the world, including Pepita for Disney’s Magic Happens Parade and work for Universal Studios Super Nintendo World. I currently work with Laika Studio as a Puppet Generalist and Hair & Fur Specialist, managing time and projects while crafting soft goods and puppet designs. From children’s book illustration to production support for stop-motion and large-scale attractions, I enjoy collaborating across disciplines to turn ideas into tangible, expressive characters and props. I blend traditional art, texture work, and practical effects to bring stories to life and love helping teams translate concepts into real-world creations.

Serena Yetter

Hi, I’m Serena Yetter, a multidisciplinary artist and puppeteer with a background in animation, puppetry, and illustration. I’ve led teams that contributed puppets and animatronics to award-winning attractions around the world, including Pepita for Disney’s Magic Happens Parade and work for Universal Studios Super Nintendo World. I currently work with Laika Studio as a Puppet Generalist and Hair & Fur Specialist, managing time and projects while crafting soft goods and puppet designs. From children’s book illustration to production support for stop-motion and large-scale attractions, I enjoy collaborating across disciplines to turn ideas into tangible, expressive characters and props. I blend traditional art, texture work, and practical effects to bring stories to life and love helping teams translate concepts into real-world creations.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Serena Yetter, a multidisciplinary artist and puppeteer with a background in animation, puppetry, and illustration. I’ve led teams that contributed puppets and animatronics to award-winning attractions around the world, including Pepita for Disney’s Magic Happens Parade and work for Universal Studios Super Nintendo World. I currently work with Laika Studio as a Puppet Generalist and Hair & Fur Specialist, managing time and projects while crafting soft goods and puppet designs.

From children’s book illustration to production support for stop-motion and large-scale attractions, I enjoy collaborating across disciplines to turn ideas into tangible, expressive characters and props. I blend traditional art, texture work, and practical effects to bring stories to life and love helping teams translate concepts into real-world creations.

See more

Work Experience

Puppet Generalist at Laika Studio
January 1, 2023 - Present
Puppet generalist with responsibilities including time & project management, soft goods R&D puppet design & fabrication, and illustration & painting.
Hair and Fur Specialist at Laika Studio
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Specialized in hair and fur techniques for puppets to achieve realistic textures; collaborated with design and fabrication teams; maintained puppets and contributed to character realism.
Soft Good Assistant Manager at Animax
September 1, 2019 - November 1, 2021
Led the soft goods team, coordinating patterning and fabrication for costumes and props. Managed schedules, quality control, and cross-functional collaboration with vendors to ensure timely delivery of high-quality soft goods.
Soft Goods Project Lead at Animax
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2021
Directed soft goods projects from concept through production, including R&D, puppet design & fabrication coordination, pattern development, and final prototyping.
Foam Patterning Assistant at Animax
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2019
Assisted in foam patterning for puppet construction, supporting pattern designers and ensuring accuracy and repeatability.
Figure Finishing Technician at Animax
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017
Painted and finished puppets, contributing finishing touches and texture details to final puppets used in performances and displays.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts at The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2010

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment