Available to hire
I’m Maria Vela, an Art director, character designer supervisor and illustrator with diverse global experience from Films to 2D/3D Animated Shows. Originally from Spain, and now based in Vancouver, Canada. I embrace creativity and storytelling in my work. With strong leadership skills, I thrive on collaborating with teams to bring imaginative visions to life.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Work Experience
Character Design Supervisor at Laguna College of Art and Design
October 1, 2024 - August 18, 2025Character Design Supervisor for an animation project currently in production.
Character Designer and Visual Development Artist at Jellyfish Pictures & Netflix, Warner Bros. and Nickelodeon
September 1, 2022 - August 18, 2025Character Designer and Visual Development Artist for animation projects.
Art Director and Concept Artist at Hampa Studio
April 1, 2022 - August 18, 2025Art Director and Concept Artist for several TV shows.
Freelance Character Designer at Mecha Cooperativa
April 1, 2021 - August 18, 2025Freelance Character Designer for projects selected in Snnecy Festival 2020, including the project "A piece of peace."
Illustrator at Muma Blue & Disney Animation Studios
October 1, 2020 - August 18, 2025Illustrator for the children's book "Anna and Elsa."
Character Designer and Background Designer at A Productions & HBO Max
May 1, 2020 - August 18, 2025Character Designer and Background Designer for the project "Elmo Puppies."
Character Designer at Core Animation & Warner Bros.
May 1, 2019 - August 18, 2025Character Designer for the animation movie "Mommies," one of the most watched animation movies in Europe, and nominated to the award-winning Goya as best Animation movie. Also worked on the award-winning short film "Totti", directed by Pixar animator Shad Bradbury.
Character & Prop Designer at Blender
February 1, 2018 - August 18, 2025Character & Prop Designer for the award-winning teaser "Hero."
Character Designer at Jellyfish Pictures
June 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022Created character designs and contributed to visual development for a Netflix/Warner Bros./Nickelodeon project.
Art Director & Concept Artist at Hamp Studio
May 1, 2021 - April 1, 2022Led concept art and art direction for projects; supervised the art team across production.
Character Designer & Supervisor at Cookie Studio
October 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023Character design supervision for Nissan Japan animated project.
Portfolio Reviewer at Laguna College of Art & Design
October 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023Provided feedback on students’ portfolios.
Character Designer at Mecha Coop
April 1, 2020 - May 1, 2020Character design and background development for various productions.
Illustrator at MumaBlue & Disney
September 1, 2020 - October 1, 2020Illustration work for Anna and Elsa for a personalized children's book.
Art Director & Character Designer & Visual Development at Jellyfish Pictures & Netflix, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon
June 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022Collaborated as Character Designer and Visual Development Artist for Jellyfish Pictures; contributed to projects for Netflix, Warner Bros. and Nickelodeon; established visual style and design across the project.
Art Director & Character Designer at Hampa Studio
May 1, 2021 - April 30, 2022Led art direction, defined visual universe, style and tone; supervised art team to ensure consistency and quality across all visuals.
Character Design and Concept Art Portfolio Supervisor at Laguna College of Art and Design
December 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024Character Designer Supervisor at La Bee and Rose Animation Project
April 1, 2023 - October 1, 2024Character Designer Supervisor for a animation project, currently in production.
Lead Character Designer at Cookie Studio & Nissan Japan
October 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023Character Designer and Visual Development Artist at Jellyfish Pictures & Netflix, Warner Bros., and Nickelodeon
June 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022Art Director and Concept Artist at Hampa Studio
May 1, 2021 - April 1, 2022Art Director and Concept Artist for several TV Shows.
Freelance Character Designer at Mecha Cooperativa
October 1, 2020 - April 1, 2024Freelance Character Designer for the project selected in Snnecy festival 2020 "Apiece of peace".
Illustrator at Mumablue & Disney Animation Studios
September 1, 2020 - October 1, 2020Illustrator for 'Anna and Elsa' Children's Book.
Character Designer at TOTT Short Film
May 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019Award winning short directed by the Pixar Animator Shad Bradbury.
Character & Prop Designer at Blender
June 1, 2017 - February 1, 2018Character & Prop Designer for the Award Winning teaser 'Hero'.
Education
Character Design and Concept Art Portfolio Supervisor at Laguna College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2024Bachelor of Fine Arts at Polytechnic University of Valencia
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026Master’s Degree in Character Design at UTAD
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026Master's Degree in 3D Animation at UTAD (Universidad de Tecnología y Arte Digital)
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026Master's Degree in Character Design at Polytechnic University of Valencia
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026Bachelor of Fine Arts at Polytechnic University of Valencia
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026undefined at Vancouver Film School
January 11, 2030 - April 1, 2026undefined at Laguna College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2024Qualifications
Emmy Award Nomination
January 1, 2026 - March 26, 2026Kid Screen Award Nomination
January 1, 2026 - March 26, 2026Annecy Official Selection
January 1, 2019 - March 26, 2026Emmy Award Nomination
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026Kidscreen Award Nomination
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026Goya Award Nomination
January 11, 2030 - March 26, 2026Annecy Official Selection
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Other
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
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