Hi, I’m Steven Henry, an award-winning illustrator and art director with 20+ years of experience collaborating with top publishers and brands. I have 15 published children’s books with Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and other major publishers. Fluent in multiple illustration styles, but I’m particularly skilled at visual storytelling for children. See more examples of my work at _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_ I’ve led cross-functional creative teams, driven branding initiatives, and helped transform traditional print materials into immersive digital experiences. I’m passionate about mentoring talent, building strong client partnerships, and delivering work that resonates with audiences.

Steven Henry

5.0 (1 review)

Hi, I’m Steven Henry, an award-winning illustrator and art director with 20+ years of experience collaborating with top publishers and brands. I have 15 published children’s books with Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and other major publishers. Fluent in multiple illustration styles, but I’m particularly skilled at visual storytelling for children. See more examples of my work at _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_ I’ve led cross-functional creative teams, driven branding initiatives, and helped transform traditional print materials into immersive digital experiences. I’m passionate about mentoring talent, building strong client partnerships, and delivering work that resonates with audiences.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Steven Henry, an award-winning illustrator and art director with 20+ years of experience collaborating with top publishers and brands. I have 15 published children’s books with Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and other major publishers. Fluent in multiple illustration styles, but I’m particularly skilled at visual storytelling for children.

See more examples of my work at Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup

I’ve led cross-functional creative teams, driven branding initiatives, and helped transform traditional print materials into immersive digital experiences. I’m passionate about mentoring talent, building strong client partnerships, and delivering work that resonates with audiences.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Art Director at Committee for Children
January 1, 2025 - September 12, 2025
Led a team of 11 designers, video editors, and copywriters, managing up to 150 projects concurrently and conducting all creative reviews. Directed creative direction for major Second Step program ad campaigns and led stakeholder review presentations. Worked closely with video editors to direct motion graphics and branding alignments. Co-led a major re-branding initiative, becoming the internal owner of the Committee for Children and Second Step visual brands. Collaborated with in-house legal to manage trademarks and IP licensing.
Principal / Illustrator at Lucky Hat Productions
November 1, 2018 - September 12, 2025
Illustrated 15 children’s books for publishers including Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, Dial, Chronicle, Bloomsbury, and Macmillan. Proficient in multiple illustration styles and formats. Created visuals for installations and exhibits at museums and learning centers; contracted illustration work for Starbucks, Microsoft, and others. Served as art director and script consultant on the Disney Jr. animated series Ella the Elephant.
Product Design Manager at Committee for Children
February 1, 2020 - September 12, 2025
Hired and managed a team of 10 product designers and illustrators. Supervised the creative development of the Second Step digital platform and K-5 curriculum, collaborating with product owners and instructional designers to transform the program’s traditional printed products into an immersive ed-tech experience. Contributed illustrations and UI design concepts to product development.
Senior Art Director at Smashing Ideas
December 1, 2015 - September 12, 2025
Mentored and collaborated with designers and animators working on mobile games and websites for Mattel, Disney Channel, Nick Jr., and PBS Kids. Coordinated with project managers to ensure deliverables—design, audio, and motion graphics—were consistent with client style guides. Managed the agency’s font library and related licensing.
Art Director at Committee for Children
January 1, 2025 - September 12, 2025
Led a cross-disciplinary team of 11 designers, video editors, and copywriters, managing up to 150 active projects and conducting all creative reviews. Directed major Second Step program ad campaigns, oversaw motion graphics and branding alignment, and co-led a major re-branding initiative. Became the internal owner of the Committee for Children and Second Step visual brands. Collaborated with the in-house legal team to manage trademarks and IP licensing.
Principal / Illustrator at Lucky Hat Productions
November 1, 2018 - September 12, 2025
Illustrated 15 children’s books for publishers including Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, Dial, Chronicle, Bloomsbury, and Macmillan. Proficient in multiple illustration styles and formats. Created visuals for installations and exhibits at museums and learning centers; contracted illustration work for Starbucks, Microsoft, and others. Served as art director and script consultant on Disney Jr. animated series Ella the Elephant.
Product Design Manager at Committee for Children
February 1, 2020 - September 12, 2025
Hired and managed a team of 10 product designers and illustrators. Supervised creative development of the Second Step digital platform and K-5 curriculum, collaborating with product owners and instructional designers to transform printed products into an immersive ed-tech experience. Contributed illustrations and UI design concepts.
Senior Art Director at Smashing Ideas
December 1, 2015 - September 12, 2025
Mentored and collaborated with designers and animators on mobile games and websites for Mattel, Disney Channel, Nick Jr., and PBS Kids. Coordinated with project managers to ensure deliverables (design, audio, and motion graphics) were consistent with client style guides. Managed the agency’s font library and licensing.

Education

Coursework in Graphic Design at Cornish College of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Coursework in Fine Arts at Everett Community College
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Human-Centered Design Course at LUMA Institute
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Figma Training at LinkedIn Learning
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Coursework in Graphic Design at Cornish College of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Coursework in Fine Arts at Everett Community College
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Human-Centered Design Course at LUMA Institute
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Figma Training at LinkedIn Learning
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025

Qualifications

LUMA Institute Certification
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025
Figma Training
January 11, 2030 - September 12, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Retail
    uniE621 All Kinds of Kisses
    Cover art for one of two books written by Heather Swain that I illustrated. Published by the Feiwel and Friends imprint at Macmillan.
    uniE621 Multimedia event illustration
    Character designs and story illustrations for various multimedia pieces at a Belle & Wissell studio event in Seattle. For more details, see https://vimeo.com/77110761?fl=pl&fe=sh illustrator branding designer graphicdesigner
    uniE621 Advertising assets (vector)
    Project vector art created while at the Smashing Ideas agency, used as part of an animated promotional clip.
    uniE621 Second Step character designs
    Concept character designs for Committee for Children’s Second Step program curriculum.
    uniE621 LOTT Clean Water Alliance exhibit art
    Illustrations designed for a series of magnets with interchangeable outfits.
    uniE621 Harley-Davidson Museum exhibit (vector)
    Vector art from one of several projects I worked on for the Harley-Davidson Museum. This one was part of their interactive Engine Wall display. See the full exhibit here https://vimeo.com/77110644?fl=pl&fe=sh illustrator designer experientialdesign
    uniE621 Ella The Elegant Elephant
    Cover art for the first of four Ella the Elephant books, which were made into a Disney Junior TV series. Watch the show opening here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9o67AVx0wddg-play illustrator artdirector
    uniE621 Starbucks employee handbook illustration
    Sample illustrated spots from a project I did for Starbucks.
    uniE621 The Hanukkah Hop!
    Spread from a holiday book illustrated for Simon & Schuster.
    uniE621 Nick Jr. game assets (vector)
    Vector art assets created for a Backyardigans game featured on Nick Jr.’ s website.
    uniE621 Herbert’s First Halloween
    Sample from a children’s book illustrated for Chronicle Books.
    uniE621 Alien All-Stars character design (vector)
    One of numerous character designs I did for the Alien All-Stars trading cards series.