Available to hire
I’m Ariel Villaverde, a TV/Film Animation and Game Development professional who has led and inspired creative teams as Art Director, Layout Supervisor, and Lead Concept Artist. I thrive on steering bold visual storytelling, adapting to a wide range of styles, and delivering high-quality work on tight timelines.
I’m always up for a challenge and enjoy exploring new tools to unlock the potential of art pipelines, while keeping integrity, self-expression, and collaboration at the core of my work.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
Work Experience
Art Manager at Schell Games
September 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025Mentored and provided career guidance to fellow game artists. Assisted various projects with concept art.
Art Manager at Schell Games
September 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025Mentored and provided career guidance to fellow game artists. Assisted various projects with concept art.
Art Manager at Schell Games
September 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025Mentored and provided career guidance to fellow game artists. Assisted various projects with concept art.
Art Manager at Schell Games
September 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025Mentored and provided career guidance to fellow game artists. Assisted various projects with concept art.
Art Manager & Senior Concept Artist at Schell Games
March 1, 2022 - September 1, 2025Mentored and provided career guidance to five fellow Game Concept Artists while leading sub-discipline meetups for training and leveling-up purposes. Analyzed peer-reviewed data to help write assessments of Concept Artists for future goals and milestones. Explored the potential of AI tools for use in art pipelines. Provided key art for client pitches.
Layout Supervisor at Atomic Cartoons
November 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Supervised a team of layout artists (remote position). Mentored artists to achieve client’s vision, and ensure production deadlines are met.
Layout Supervisor at Atomic Cartoons
November 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Supervised a team of layout artists (remote position). Mentored artists to achieve client’s vision, and ensure all production deadlines are met.
Layout Supervisor at Atomic Cartoons
November 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Supervised a team of layout artists (remote position). Mentored artists to achieve client’s vision and ensured production deadlines were met.
Layout Supervisor at Atomic Cartoons
November 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Supervised a remote team of layout artists; mentored artists to achieve client’s vision, and ensured production deadlines were met.
2D Layout Artist at Deluxe Animation
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Completed layouts for Space Jam - A New Legacy.
2D Layout Artist at Deluxe Animation
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Completed layouts for Space Jam - A New Legacy.
2D Layout Artist at Deluxe Animation
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Completed layouts for “Space Jam: A New Legacy.”
2D Layout Artist at Deluxe Animation
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025Completed layouts for Space Jam - A New Legacy.
Art Director at Portfolio Entertainment
September 1, 2020 - September 26, 2025Developed the look and style of Hero Elementary series for PBS. Worked with the series Director and Producer, and led a talented group of artists. Mentored artists to achieve the client’s overall vision.
Art Director at Portfolio Entertainment
September 1, 2020 - September 26, 2025Developed the look and style of Hero Elementary series for PBS. Worked with the series director and producer, and led a talented group of artists. Mentored artists to achieve the client’s overall vision.
Art Director at Portfolio Entertainment
September 1, 2020 - September 26, 2025Developed the look and style of the Hero Elementary series for PBS; led a team of artists and collaborated with the series Director and Producer; mentored artists to achieve the client’s overall vision.
Art Director at Portfolio Entertainment
September 1, 2020 - September 26, 2025Developed the look and style of Hero Elementary series for PBS. Worked with the series Director and Producer, led a talented group of artists. Mentored artists to achieve the client’s overall vision.
Art Director at Portfolio Entertainment
July 1, 2018 - September 1, 2020Worked with the Director, Producer and client to develop the background style for the kids PBS series “Hero Elementary.” Invited to Art Direct these series in-house, leading and mentoring a team of creative Background Artists to achieve all episodes' cinematic shots.
Layout Artist at DHX Media
May 1, 2018 - September 26, 2025Location design for 'Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs' The TV Series (2016) and for 'Subway Surfers' (2018).
Layout Artist at DHX Media
May 1, 2018 - September 26, 2025Location design for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (TV Series, 2016) and Subway Surfers (2018).
Layout Artist at DHX Media
May 1, 2018 - September 26, 2025Location design for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs TV Series (2016) and Subway Surfers (2018).
Layout Supervisor at Brown Bag Films
January 1, 2018 - September 26, 2025Layo ut Supervisor for The Magic School Bus Rides Again (Netflix – Fall 2017); Camp Lake Bottom (Season 3, Disney HD); Creating Galaxy (Season 2, Amazon.com); Visual Development (Unpacks) – Num b Chucks (Season 1 – Teletoon); Layout Supervisor - Max & Ruby (Season 5). Read in g from scripts, designed the backgrounds to all Season One episodes. Mentored layout artists through show style and completion.
Layout Supervisor at Brown Bag Films
January 1, 2018 - September 26, 2025Led layout team; contributed to The Magic School Bus Rides Again (Netflix, Fall 2017); produced background art for Season One; read scripts and designed backgrounds for episodes; supervised layout artists through show style and completion; contributed to pilot art direction for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood; developed the look of Ertlings (demo).
Layout Supervisor at Brown Bag Films
January 1, 2018 - September 26, 2025Led layout supervision for multiple shows, including The Magic School Bus Rides Again (Netflix, Fall 2017) and Camp Lake Bottom (Season 3). Created Unpacks and background work as needed; supervised and guided layout artists on show style and completion.
Layout Supervisor at Brown Bag Films
January 1, 2018 - September 26, 2025Led a layout team; supervised two layout artists; guided show style and completion.
Layout Supervisor at 9 Story Media Group
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2018Lead, supervised and mentored multiple creative teams in roles such as Layout Supervisor & Lead Concept Artist on amazing kids TV series including The Magic School Bus Rides Again, Camp Lakebottom, Creative Galaxy and the pilot to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
Senior Design Artist at Nelvana Enterprises (Corus Entertainment)
January 1, 2003 - September 26, 2025Lead Conceptual Artist - Blaster’s Universe (Teletoon). Location and Prop Designer - Clone High-USA (MTV/Teletoon), George & Martha, Birdz and Maggie and the Ferocious Beast.
Senior Design Artist at Nelvana Enterprises (Corus Entertainment)
January 1, 2003 - September 26, 2025Lead Conceptual Artist – 'Blaster’s Universe' (Teleto n). Established the style of the backgrounds. Location and Prop Designer for 'Clone High - USA' (MTV/Teletoon), as well as work on 'George & Martha', 'Birdz' and 'Maggie and the Ferocious Beast'.
Senior Design Artist at Nelvana Enterprises (Corus Entertainment)
January 1, 2003 - September 26, 2025Lead Conceptual Artist for Blaster’s Universe (Teletoon); established background styles. Location and Props Designer for Clone High-USA (MTV/Teletoon), George & Martha, Birdz, and Maggie and the Ferocious Beast; Visual Development (Unpacks) for Number Chucks (Season 1 – Teletoon).
Senior Design Artist at Nelvana Enterprises (Corus Entertainment)
January 1, 2003 - September 26, 2025Lead Conceptual Artist – Blaster’s Universe (Teletoon). Established the style of the backgrounds. Location and Prop Designer – Clone High USA (MTV/Teletoon), George & Martha, Birdz and Maggie and the Ferocious Beast.
Animation Assistant at Walt Disney Animation Canada
January 1, 1997 - September 26, 2025Assistant animator on Beauty and the Beast – The Enchanted Christmas.
Animation Assistant at Walt Disney Animation Canada
January 1, 1997 - September 26, 2025Assistant Animator on Beauty and the Beast – The Enchanted Christmas.
Animation Assistant at Walt Disney Animation Canada
January 1, 1997 - September 26, 2025Assistant Animator on Beauty and the Beast – The Enchanted Christmas.
Animation Assistant at Walt Disney Animation Canada
January 1, 1997 - PresentAssistant Animator on Beauty and the Beast – The Enchanted Christmas.
Education
Diploma, Classical Animation at Sheridan College
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998Diploma, Classical Animation at Sheridan College
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998Diploma, Classical Animation at Sheridan College
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998Diploma, Classical Animation at Sheridan College
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998Classical Animation at Sheridan College
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998Qualifications
Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Software & Internet, Education, Professional Services
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
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