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!

About

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.

  • Joined July 2026

Industry experience

  • Media & Entertainment
  • Education
  • Professional Services

Projects · 1

“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

  • Freelance Digital Illustrator

Work experience

Freelance Digital Artist & Editor · Animation & Media ProjectsJan 2024 – Jan 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo

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 · South Hills AcademyJan 2024 – Jan 2026 · 2 yrs 1 mo

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 · Forgotten Pictures LLCJan 2018 – Jan 2019 · 1 yr 1 mo

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 · University of Southern California2030 – 2026
Bachelor of Science (BS) – Digital Animation · Southern Adventist University2030 – 2026

Certifications and awards

Pixar Story Workshop2021

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