Hello! I’m Kacey Layson, a creative digital illustrator and story artist with an MFA in Animation from USC and a passion for making picture books and kid-friendly narratives come alive! I blend expert digital illustration with storytelling training (including a Pixar Story Workshop) to develop narrative-driven art for young audiences. As an educator and collaborative partner, I understand how visuals engage children and how to translate feedback into lively artwork. I’m excited to partner with authors and studios on character-driven stories that spark imagination.…

Kacey Layson

Hello! I’m Kacey Layson, a creative digital illustrator and story artist with an MFA in Animation from USC and a passion for making picture books and kid-friendly narratives come alive! I blend expert digital illustration with storytelling training (including a Pixar Story Workshop) to develop narrative-driven art for young audiences. As an educator and collaborative partner, I understand how visuals engage children and how to translate feedback into lively artwork. I’m excited to partner with authors and studios on character-driven stories that spark imagination.…

Next availability:
August 1, 2026

Hello! I’m Kacey Layson, a creative digital illustrator and story artist with an MFA in Animation from USC and a passion for making picture books and kid-friendly narratives come alive! I blend expert digital illustration with storytelling training (including a Pixar Story Workshop) to develop narrative-driven art for young audiences.

As an educator and collaborative partner, I understand how visuals engage children and how to translate feedback into lively artwork. I’m excited to partner with authors and studios on character-driven stories that spark imagination.

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Work Experience

Freelance Digital Artist & Editor at Animation & Media Projects
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Narrative Continuity: Translated complex creative briefs into cohesive digital illustration assets, ensuring strict visual and stylistic consistency across large-batch projects. Technical Delivery: Executed precise digital painting, cleanup, and masking in Adobe Photoshop to produce high-resolution, print-ready files. Asset Management: Managed server directories and file structures under tight production deadlines to guarantee seamless project handoffs.
Middle & High School Art Teacher at South Hills Academy
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2026
Target Audience Engagement: Leverage deep understanding of youth development and child psychology to create art and curricula that captivates and inspires young learners. Creative Collaboration & Critique: Lead daily art critiques, mastering the ability to give, receive, and translate constructive feedback into impactful visual adjustments. Project Lifecycles: Successfully manage timelines and logistics for large-scale student exhibitions, balancing artistic vision with fixed deadlines.
Vis-Dev & Story Intern at Forgotten Pictures LLC
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019
Children’s Content Development: Collaborated with a dedicated creative team to develop character explorations, concepts, and story elements for a children’s animated series. Iterative Revisions: Provided rapid, flexible turnarounds on artistic revisions by integrating notes from directors and show creators.

Education

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) – Animation & Digital Arts at University of Southern California
January 11, 2030 - July 7, 2026
Bachelor of Science (BS) – Digital Animation at Southern Adventist University
January 11, 2030 - July 7, 2026

Qualifications

Pixar Story Workshop
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services
    "Fenton Forest" Concept Art
    “Fenton Forest” is a series pitch from Forgotten Pictures LLC. Kacey Layson worked as a freelance illustrator and concept artist for world-building and character design. illustrator designer…