I'm John Bell, a world-renowned, Academy Award-nominated artist and designer with a diverse portfolio spanning the past quarter century. My work has contributed to many of the most noteworthy, award-winning films of our time, and my love of design fuels my creative expression across film, video games, advertising, and product design. I’m known for blending imagination with craft to bring ideas to life, both professionally and personally. I earned a BA in Transportation Design from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and began my career at General Motors Advanced Concept Studio before moving into roles at Atari Games, ILM, Nike, and DreamWorks. Over the years I’ve contributed to projects like Jurassic Park, ANTZ, Rango, The Revenant, and impactful game worlds at EA, while also freelancing on Cars, Arthur Christmas, and Spider-Verse 2. When I’m not on a project, I love car design and exploring new ways to push creative boundaries.

John Bell

PRO

I'm John Bell, a world-renowned, Academy Award-nominated artist and designer with a diverse portfolio spanning the past quarter century. My work has contributed to many of the most noteworthy, award-winning films of our time, and my love of design fuels my creative expression across film, video games, advertising, and product design. I’m known for blending imagination with craft to bring ideas to life, both professionally and personally. I earned a BA in Transportation Design from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and began my career at General Motors Advanced Concept Studio before moving into roles at Atari Games, ILM, Nike, and DreamWorks. Over the years I’ve contributed to projects like Jurassic Park, ANTZ, Rango, The Revenant, and impactful game worlds at EA, while also freelancing on Cars, Arthur Christmas, and Spider-Verse 2. When I’m not on a project, I love car design and exploring new ways to push creative boundaries.

Available to hire

I’m John Bell, a world-renowned, Academy Award-nominated artist and designer with a diverse portfolio spanning the past quarter century. My work has contributed to many of the most noteworthy, award-winning films of our time, and my love of design fuels my creative expression across film, video games, advertising, and product design. I’m known for blending imagination with craft to bring ideas to life, both professionally and personally.

I earned a BA in Transportation Design from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and began my career at General Motors Advanced Concept Studio before moving into roles at Atari Games, ILM, Nike, and DreamWorks. Over the years I’ve contributed to projects like Jurassic Park, ANTZ, Rango, The Revenant, and impactful game worlds at EA, while also freelancing on Cars, Arthur Christmas, and Spider-Verse 2. When I’m not on a project, I love car design and exploring new ways to push creative boundaries.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Art Director at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
January 1, 1991 - Present
Moved to Los Angeles to work as Art Director on Jurassic Park; contributed to the film’s effects production and visual direction.
Art Director at Jurassic Park
January 1, 1993 - September 16, 2025
Art Director on Steven Spielberg's effects blockbuster Jurassic Park.
Senior Designer at Nike
January 1, 1993 - Present
Senior Designer on footwear, clothing, graphics and new brand concepts.
Art Director at Jurassic Park
January 1, 1991 - Present
Art Director on Spielberg's blockbuster Jurassic Park; contributed to production design and visual effects.
Concept Artist at Industrial Light & Magic
December 31, 2015 - September 16, 2025
Returned to ILM to work as a concept artist on Rango, Pirates IV, and The Revenant.
Illustrator / Art Director at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
January 1, 2009 - September 16, 2025
Illustrator and art director contributing to landmark films such as Star Trek IV, Innerspace, Back to the Future II & III.
Art Director at Jurassic Park
December 31, 1991 - September 16, 2025
Art Director on Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park.
Senior Designer at Nike
December 31, 1998 - September 16, 2025
Senior Designer working on footwear, clothing, graphics and brand concepts.
Concept Artist at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
December 31, 2000 - September 16, 2025
Provided concept art on films such as Men in Black, Mission Impossible, Contact, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and Starship Troopers.
Production Designer at DreamWorks Animation
December 31, 2001 - September 16, 2025
Production Designer for ANTZ; BAFTA and Annie Award nominations.
Senior Concept Designer at Electronic Arts
December 31, 2008 - September 16, 2025
Senior Concept Designer for video games including Freekstyle, The Simpsons, On the Boarder, Godfather II, Dead Space.
Freelance Concept Artist at Various (Animated Films)
December 31, 2010 - September 16, 2025
Freelance design work on Cars, Mars Needs Moms, Arthur Christmas, Cars 2, The Penguins of Madagascar, Spider-Verse 2.
Concept Artist at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
December 31, 2015 - September 16, 2025
Concept artist on Rango, Pirates IV, and The Revenant.

Education

BA in Transportation Design at ArtCenter College of Design
September 1, 1977 - January 1, 1980
Bachelor of Arts in Transportation Design at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
January 11, 2030 - September 16, 2025

Qualifications

Annie Award nomination for ANTZ
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 1998
Academy Award Nomination VFX Back to the Future 2
March 1, 1990 - March 1, 1990
BAFTA Award VFX Back to the Future 2
March 1, 1990 - March 1, 1990

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Transportation & Logistics, Gaming, Professional Services, Other
    uniE621 PL 98
    Hello, In 2018 I began a series of oil paintings based on the forms and natural structures of the Southwest. I named this ongoing series ‘Planet Life’. Planet Life could be included in the ‘Neo Immaculates’ category. The forms are crisp, the palettes compliment in a contemporary as well as mid century modern sort of way. I live in Bend and would like to take a similar approach to the Oregon desert.
    uniE621 PL113
    In 2018 I began a series of oil paintings based on the forms and natural structures of the Southwest. I named this ongoing series ‘Planet Life’. Planet Life could be included in the ‘Neo Immaculates’ category. The forms are crisp, the palettes compliment in a contemporary as well as mid century modern sort of way. I live in Bend and would like to take a similar approach to the Oregon desert.
    uniE621 PLANET LIFE OIL PAINTING SERIES
    Hello, In 2018 I began a series of oil paintings based on the forms and natural structures of the Southwest. I named this ongoing series ‘Planet Life’. Planet Life could be included in the ‘Neo Immaculates’ category. The forms are crisp, the palettes compliment in a contemporary as well as mid century modern sort of way. I live in Bend and would like to take a similar approach to the Oregon desert. This is PL117