Available to hire
I am Daniel Bustillos Costales, a passionate animator and visual designer with over a decade of experience creating emotionally driven 2D worlds through art direction and storytelling. I specialize in building expressive characters and rich environments using Toon Boom Harmony and a strong foundation in visual development, always aiming to inspire and mentor the next generation of artists.
I thrive in collaborative education settings, where I lead courses and workshops spanning character design, animation production, and visual storytelling. My work ranges from industry projects to academic programs, and I remain committed to evolving my practice while helping students and colleagues grow their skills and confidence in the creative process.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Professor of Character Design, Digital Animation I & II, Layout, Animatic, Storyboard, and Pitch Bible at Universidad Casa Grande
January 1, 2025 - PresentTeaching advanced courses in character design, digital animation, layout, animatic, storyboard, and pitch bible, fostering students' creative and technical skills in animation and digital storytelling.
Professor of Character Design, Visual Development, Digital Animation II, Basic Drawing, History of Animation, Toon Boom, Photoshop & Illustrator at Universidad San Francisco de Quito
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Delivered a wide curriculum covering character design, animation techniques, visual development, basic drawing, animation history, and digital tools such as Toon Boom Harmony, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Layout Artist at Bombillo Amarillo
December 31, 2024 - September 1, 2025Created layout designs for the 2D animated series 'Papoupi,' contributing to the visual setting and scene composition for the show based in Bogotá, Colombia.
Animator at Gasolina Studios
December 31, 2021 - September 1, 2025Worked as a 2D animator for the series 'My Brother the Monster,' developing animation sequences and bringing characters to life with expressive motion in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Animator & Artist at Netflix Poland
December 31, 2021 - September 1, 2025Contributed to the 2D series 'Kajko i Kokosz' as an animator and artist, collaborating on character performance and visual development in Warsaw, Poland.
Art Director at Alicia Animation House / Lunes Cine y TV
December 31, 2020 - September 1, 2025Directed art for the 3D series 'Fantastic Sex Shop,' overseeing visual style and quality for productions based in Quito, Ecuador, and Chile.
Concept Artist at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2019 - September 1, 2025Developed concept art for the 2D series 'Teo y Bujía,' defining characters and environments to support the animation production.
Professor of Character Design, Toon Boom & Human Anatomy at Instituto Metropolitano de Diseño
December 31, 2019 - September 1, 2025Taught courses in character design, Toon Boom Harmony software, and human anatomy aimed at animation and illustration students.
Art Director at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2018 - September 1, 2025Directed art for the 2D short film 'Awki' and personal project 'Pillamarama Nautas,' overseeing animation style and visual storytelling.
Art Director at The Hoots Music Band
December 31, 2017 - September 1, 2025Directed art for the 2D series 'Hootquarters' while collaborating with a music band based in California, USA.
Concept Artist at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2017 - September 1, 2025Provided concept art services for the 2D series 'Chakay,' assisting in characters and environmental design.
CEO at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2016 - September 1, 2025Managed and led the Alicia Animation House studio, directing operations and creative projects including 2D movie and short film productions.
Art Director at 2D Movie 'Instantánea'
December 31, 2016 - September 1, 2025Led art direction for the 2D movie 'Instantánea', focusing on visual style and artistic consistency.
Director/Animator at 2D Short Film 'Recorderis'
December 31, 2016 - September 1, 2025Directed and animated the personal project short film 'Recorderis,' handling all creative and technical aspects.
Concept Artist/Animator at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2015 - September 1, 2025Created concept art and animation for 2D short films and series like 'Tzan Zan' and 'Lula,' supporting the studio's visual narratives.
Concept Artist at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2014 - September 1, 2025Concept artist for the 2D short film 'Cincópata' and the 2D series 'Nuki Nuki,' contributing to early-stage visual development.
CEO at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2012 - September 1, 2025Oversaw studio operations as CEO, and contributed animation for the 2D short film 'Po Poc.'
Animator at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2012 - September 1, 2025Animated characters for the 2D short film 'Po Poc,' supporting the studio's animated storytelling output.
Professor of Character Design, Digital Animation I & II, Layout, Animatic, Storyboard, and Pitch Bible at Universidad Casa Grande
January 1, 2025 - PresentTeaching multiple courses including character design, digital animation, layout, animatic, storyboard, and pitch bible at Universidad Casa Grande in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Contributing to curriculum development and mentoring students in animation disciplines.
Professor of Character Design, Visual Development, Digital Animation II, Basic Drawing, History of Animation, Toon Boom, Photoshop & Illustrator at Universidad San Francisco de Quito
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Conducted courses covering character design, visual development, digital animation, drawing basics, history of animation, and software workshops, including Toon Boom Harmony and Adobe Creative Suite. Recognized as Professor of the Year in 2024.
Layout Artist - 2D Series 'Papoupi' at Bombillo Amarillo
December 31, 2024 - September 1, 2025Worked as a layout artist on the 2D animated series 'Papoupi', responsible for scene composition, camera angles, and visual storytelling in Bogotá, Colombia.
Animator - 2D Series 'My Brother the Monster' at Gasolina Studios
December 31, 2021 - September 1, 2025Created animations for the 2D television series 'My Brother the Monster' produced by Gasolina Studios in Guadalajara, Mexico, focusing on character movement and scene animation.
Animator & Artist - 2D Series 'Kajko i Kokosz' at Netflix Poland
December 31, 2021 - September 1, 2025Animated and contributed artistic work for the 2D series 'Kajko i Kokosz' in Warsaw, Poland. Delivered high-quality animation sequences adhering to the artistic direction.
Art Director - 3D Series 'Fantastic Sex Shop' at Alicia Animation House / Lunes Cine y TV
December 31, 2020 - September 1, 2025Led art direction for a 3D animated series collaboratively produced in Ecuador and Chile. Oversaw visual style, concept art, and team coordination to deliver a cohesive animation series.
Concept Artist - 2D Series 'Teo y Bujía' at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2019 - September 1, 2025Produced concept artwork for character and environment development in the 2D animated series 'Teo y Bujía' based in Quito, Ecuador.
Professor of Character Design, Toon Boom & Human Anatomy at Instituto Metropolitano de Diseño
December 31, 2019 - September 1, 2025Taught courses focused on character design, Toon Boom Harmony software, and human anatomy fundamentals to design students in Quito.
Art Director - 2D Series 'Pillamarama Nautas' (Personal Project)
December 31, 2018 - September 1, 2025Directed the visual art and animation for a personal 2D series project 'Pillamarama Nautas' in Quito, handling all creative aspects and production design.
Art Director - 2D Short Film 'Awki' at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2018 - September 1, 2025Led artistic direction for the 2D short film 'Awki', coordinating animation, design, and production teams. The film was selected for the Chilemonos Festival.
Art Director - 2D Series 'Hootquarters' at The Hoots Music Band
December 31, 2017 - September 1, 2025Directed art for the 2D animated series produced for The Hoots music band in California, USA, managing design and animation style.
Concept Artist - 2D Series 'Chakay' at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2017 - September 1, 2025Created concept art for characters and scenes of the 2D series 'Chakay' produced in Quito, Ecuador.
CEO at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2016 - September 1, 2025Founded and managed Alicia Animation House in Quito, overseeing production, creative direction, and business operations. Led multiple animation projects including movies and short films.
Art Director - 2D Movie 'Instantánea' at Alicia Animation House
December 31, 2016 - September 1, 2025Directed art for the 2D animated movie 'Instantánea', managing the entire visual design and animation process.
Director/Animator - 2D Short Film 'Recorderis' (Personal Project)
December 31, 2016 - September 1, 2025Directed and animated the personal 2D short film project 'Recorderis' in Quito, overseeing animation, storyboarding, and production.
Concept Artist/Animator - 2D Short Film 'Tzan Zan' at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2015 - September 1, 2025Developed concept art and animation for the 2D short film 'Tzan Zan' produced in Quito, Ecuador.
Concept Artist/Animator - 2D Series 'Lula' at Mácula Films
December 31, 2015 - September 1, 2025Provided concept art and animation services for the 2D series 'Lula' developed in Quito.
Concept Artist - 2D Short Film 'Cincópata' at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2014 - September 1, 2025Created concept art for the 2D short film 'Cincópata' in Quito, Ecuador.
Concept Artist - 2D Series 'Nuki Nuki' at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2014 - September 1, 2025Produced concept art for the 2D animated series 'Nuki Nuki' in Quito.
CEO at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2012 - September 1, 2025Founded and managed El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts in Quito, supervising creative and business operations, as well as producing animation projects.
Animator - 2D Short Film 'Po Poc' at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
December 31, 2012 - September 1, 2025Worked as animator on the 2D short film 'Po Poc' in Quito, Ecuador.
Professor of Character Design, Digital Animation I & II, Storyboard Lab, Layout, Animatic & Pitch Bible at Universidad Casa Grande
January 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025Teaching advanced character design and animation production methods.
Professor of Character Design, Drawing Fundamentals, Visual Development, Toon Boom Harmony at Universidad San Francisco de Quito
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025Led animation and design courses focusing on Toon Boom Harmony and visual storytelling.
Layout Artist at Bombillo Amarillo
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Layout artist for the 2D series Papoupi.
Tradigital Animator at Gasolina Studios
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021Animation for 2D series My Brother the Monster.
Tradigital Animator at Netflix Poland
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021Animation for Kajko i Kokosz series.
Art Director at Alicia Animation House & Lunes Cine y TV
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020Art Directed the 3D series Fantastic Sex Shop & the 2D short film Awki and conceptual art for TV 2D series Teo & Bujía and Chakay.
Professor of Character Design, Anatomy, Traditional Animation & Digital Animation at Instituto Metropolitano de Diseño
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Led animation and design courses focusing on Toon Boom Harmony and visual storytelling.
Co-Founder & Art Director at Alicia Animation House
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Directed short film Recorderis and Art Directed de mixed media film.
Co-Founder, Concept Artist & Animator at El Hombre Invisible Visual Arts
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015Worked on Tzan Zan, Cincópata, and Po Poc short films and the TV 2D series Nuki Nuki.
Education
Master in Digital Design at Universidad Internacional de la Rioja
March 11, 2020 - February 10, 2021Bachelor in Digital Illustration and Animation at Universidad de las Américas
August 4, 2014 - February 3, 2016Master’s Degree in Digital Design at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021Bachelor’s Degree in Animation & Illustration at Universidad de Las Américas
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016Master’s Degree in Digital Design at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021Bachelor’s Degree in Animation & Illustration at Universidad de Las Américas
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016Master’s in Digital Design at Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)
January 1, 2021 - October 31, 2025Bachelor’s in Animation & Illustration at Universidad de Las Américas
January 1, 2016 - October 31, 2025Qualifications
Certification in Drawing & Painting
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Certification in Toon Boom Harmony
January 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025Certification in Toon Boom Harmony
January 1, 2018 - September 1, 2025Certification in Drawing & Painting
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Blender x 2D Workshop
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Certification in Toon Boom Harmony
January 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025Certification in Toon Boom Harmony
January 1, 2018 - September 1, 2025Drawing & Painting
January 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025Blender x 2D
January 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025Toon Boom Harmony Certification
January 1, 2024 - October 31, 2025Character Design workshop by Pakoto
January 1, 2019 - October 31, 2025Toon Boom Harmony Certification
January 1, 2018 - October 31, 2025Character Design workshop by Shane Glines
January 1, 2017 - October 31, 2025Xupuy Workshops
January 1, 2015 - October 31, 2025Art Workshop by Alberto Ruiz
January 1, 2014 - October 31, 2025Animation Workshop — DreamWorks Animation in Chilemonos
January 1, 2013 - October 31, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Education, Professional Services
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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