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.…

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Skills

Experience Level

Work Experience

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.
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.

Education

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

Qualifications

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Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment

Skills

Experience Level