I am a visual development artist and illustrator with a background in commercial illustration, concept art, and visual storytelling. I earned an MFA in Visual Development for Animation and have built a career crafting characters, environments, props, and original worlds for feature-animation-style narratives. I’ve been recognized with Best in Show and First Place awards at the Academy of Art University Spring Show 2026 for Character Design, Creature Design, and Prop Design. I enjoy shaping stories through thoughtful design, mood, and color, and I’m driven to create cohesive visual worlds that resonate with audiences. Most recently, I led visual development for The Legend of Mira, an original thesis project inspired by Slavic folklore, and I continue to blend leading-edge illustration with narrative world-building, character design, and prop systems to support engaging storytelling across media.…

Anna Avigad

I am a visual development artist and illustrator with a background in commercial illustration, concept art, and visual storytelling. I earned an MFA in Visual Development for Animation and have built a career crafting characters, environments, props, and original worlds for feature-animation-style narratives. I’ve been recognized with Best in Show and First Place awards at the Academy of Art University Spring Show 2026 for Character Design, Creature Design, and Prop Design. I enjoy shaping stories through thoughtful design, mood, and color, and I’m driven to create cohesive visual worlds that resonate with audiences. Most recently, I led visual development for The Legend of Mira, an original thesis project inspired by Slavic folklore, and I continue to blend leading-edge illustration with narrative world-building, character design, and prop systems to support engaging storytelling across media.…

Available to hire

I am a visual development artist and illustrator with a background in commercial illustration, concept art, and visual storytelling. I earned an MFA in Visual Development for Animation and have built a career crafting characters, environments, props, and original worlds for feature-animation-style narratives. I’ve been recognized with Best in Show and First Place awards at the Academy of Art University Spring Show 2026 for Character Design, Creature Design, and Prop Design. I enjoy shaping stories through thoughtful design, mood, and color, and I’m driven to create cohesive visual worlds that resonate with audiences.

Most recently, I led visual development for The Legend of Mira, an original thesis project inspired by Slavic folklore, and I continue to blend leading-edge illustration with narrative world-building, character design, and prop systems to support engaging storytelling across media.

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Language

English
Fluent
Hebrew (modern)
Fluent
Russian
Fluent
Ukrainian
Advanced

Work Experience

Visual Development Artist & Creator at The Legend of Mira (Original Visual Development Thesis Project)
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2026
Created an original fantasy world inspired by Slavic folklore, developing story, visual direction, and world-building from concept to final presentation. Designed characters, creatures, environments, and props to support a feature-animation-style narrative. Produced character turnarounds, environment designs, prop sheets, key visual moments, and supporting artwork exploring color, mood, and storytelling. Awarded Best in Show and First Place awards in Character Design, Creature Design, and Prop Design at the Academy of Art University Spring Show 2026.
Visual Development Artist & Creator at The Legend of Mira
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2026
Created an original fantasy world inspired by Slavic folklore, developing the story, visual direction, and world-building from concept to final presentation. Designed characters, creatures, environments, and props to support a feature-animation-style narrative. Produced character turnarounds, environment designs, prop sheets, key visual moments, and supporting artwork exploring color, mood, and storytelling. Awarded Best in Show and First Place awards in Character Design, Creature Design, and Prop Design at the Academy of Art University Spring Show 2026.
Senior Illustrator and Graphic Designer at Smilebox, Israel
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Designed and illustrated greeting cards, invitations, emoji sets, icons, and digital assets used by millions of users worldwide. Developed scalable illustration systems and template libraries supporting seasonal campaigns and brand initiatives. Collaborated with product and marketing teams to create engaging visual content while meeting tight production deadlines.
Senior Illustrator and Graphic Designer at Smilebox
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Designed and illustrated greeting cards, invitations, emoji sets, icons, and digital assets used by millions of users worldwide. Developed scalable illustration systems and template libraries supporting seasonal campaigns and brand initiatives. Collaborated with product and marketing teams to create engaging visual content while meeting tight production deadlines.
Art Director & Lead Illustrator at Awesome Peppers
January 1, 2014 - Present
Founded and operated an illustration-driven consumer products brand, managing the creative process from concept development through production. Created original artwork for calendars, greeting cards, stationery, mugs, gift products, and seasonal collections. Designed brand identities, packaging, labels, marketing materials, and visual systems for a wide range of products and clients. Researched market trends and developed new product lines while collaborating with suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. Led all creative, production, and business operations, combining illustration, product development, and visual storytelling.
2D Concept Artist at Sidekick, Israel
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2016
Created concept art, character designs, gameplay assets, and user interface artwork for games and educational VR experiences. Collaborated with developers and artists to translate designs from early concepts through 3D production and Unity implementation. Contributed visual development, asset creation, and style exploration throughout multiple interactive projects.
2D Concept Artist at Sidekick
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2016
Created concept art, character designs, gameplay assets, and user interface artwork for games and educational VR experiences. Collaborated with developers and artists to translate designs from early concepts through 3D production and Unity implementation. Contributed visual development, asset creation, and style exploration throughout multiple interactive projects.
Senior Illustrator and Designer at Baruch Naeh Strategic Brand Design, Israel
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2013
Developed illustration-driven branding, packaging, and visual identity projects for major consumer brands. Created characters, icons, packaging systems, and commercial artwork used across advertising, marketing, and retail products. Collaborated with creative teams and clients from concept development through final production.
Senior Illustrator and Designer at Baruch Naeh Strategic Brand Design
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2013
Developed illustration-driven branding, packaging, and visual identity projects for major consumer brands. Created characters, icons, packaging systems, and commercial artwork used across advertising, marketing, and retail products. Collaborated with creative teams and clients from concept development through final production.

Education

MFA at San Francisco Art Academy University
September 1, 2022 - May 30, 2026
School of Illustration, Visual Development Artist
MFA, Visual Development for Animation at Academy of Art University, San Francisco
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2026
BA, Illustration at Shenkar College of Engineering, Design & Art, Israel
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006
MFA at Academy of Art University, San Francisco
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2026
BA at Shenkar College of Engineering, Design & Art, Israel
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Consumer Goods, Education, Retail
    The Legend of Mira | Visual Development & Character Design

    The Legend of Mira is an original animated fantasy project developed as my MFA thesis in Visual Development at Academy of Art University.

    Inspired by Slavic folklore and set in the Carpathian Mountains, the story follows Mira, a young girl who must confront the ancient water spirit Vodyanoy to save her village and uncover her connection to a forgotten magical lineage.

    The project included comprehensive visual development for a feature-length animated film, including character design, creature design, environment design, prop design, world-building, color scripting, key moments, and visual storytelling.

    The project was recognized at the 2026 Academy of Art University Spring Show, receiving Best in Show, 1st Place in Character Design, 1st Place in Creature Design, and 1st Place in Prop Design.

    Responsibilities included:

    • Visual Development
    • Character Design
    • Creature Design
    • Environment Design
    • Prop Design
    • Color & Lighting
    • World-Building
    • Visual Research
    • Key Art & Cinematic Moments