I'm a graphic designer and illustrator with over 15 years' experience, specializing in content for kids and families. I've worked both agency- and client-side across UI, branding, illustration, and visual development, using a mix of digital and traditional techniques. I’m especially passionate about visual storytelling and loved spending over ten years working with brands like Disney, CBBC, and Cartoon Network (WarnerMedia). I enjoy bringing characters and IP to life in a way that connects with young audiences, and more recently I’ve been exploring short-form video editing—something I’m still learning but really enjoying.…

Vanessa McManus

I'm a graphic designer and illustrator with over 15 years' experience, specializing in content for kids and families. I've worked both agency- and client-side across UI, branding, illustration, and visual development, using a mix of digital and traditional techniques. I’m especially passionate about visual storytelling and loved spending over ten years working with brands like Disney, CBBC, and Cartoon Network (WarnerMedia). I enjoy bringing characters and IP to life in a way that connects with young audiences, and more recently I’ve been exploring short-form video editing—something I’m still learning but really enjoying.…

Available to hire

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with over 15 years’ experience, specializing in content for kids and families. I’ve worked both agency- and client-side across UI, branding, illustration, and visual development, using a mix of digital and traditional techniques. I’m especially passionate about visual storytelling and loved spending over ten years working with brands like Disney, CBBC, and Cartoon Network (WarnerMedia).

I enjoy bringing characters and IP to life in a way that connects with young audiences, and more recently I’ve been exploring short-form video editing—something I’m still learning but really enjoying.

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Language

English
Fluent
German
Fluent
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Contract Designer at WarnerMedia (Cartoon Network / Boomerang / Cartoonito)
January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2025
Worked across digital design, illustration, and branding for Cartoon Network's kids’ games, apps, and campaigns. Created playful, story-led visuals, app promos, and short-form video content for global use. Collaborated closely with producers and the localisation team.
Freelance Designer at Various Clients
January 1, 2014 - June 16, 2024
Worked across branding, illustration, UX, and campaign design for clients including Audible, Simply Business, Knight Frank, Kids Industries, National World Publishing, and the Roald Dahl Story Company. Projects spanned digital and print with a focus on children and family audiences.
Senior Designer at Disney Interactive
July 1, 2011 - May 31, 2014
Part of the creative team designing sites, games, and digital content across EMEA. Covered Lead Creative role for six months, involving well-known characters and brand guardianship. Collaborated with third-party agencies to ensure creative consistency and quality across regions.
Designer at BBC Children’s Interactive (CBBC / CBeebies)
May 1, 2009 - July 31, 2011
Designed games, illustrations, and UX for CBBC and CBeebies. Contributed to a new character-led sign-in feature, took part in user-testing workshops with children, and worked on site redesigns, pitch work, and longer-term development projects.
Various Freelance Roles at Various Clients and Agencies
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2014
Worked across digital, print, illustration, and branding for a mix of clients and agencies including Kew Gardens, Carlton Publishing, Madame Tussauds, and M&C Saatchi. Projects ranged from education, online games, campaign design, publishing, and packaging.
Contract Designer at WarnerMedia (Cartoon Network / Boomerang / Cartoonito)
January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2025
Worked across digital design, illustration and branding for Cartoon Network’s kids’ games, apps and campaigns. Created playful, story-led visuals, app promos, and short-form video content for global use, collaborating closely with producers and the localisation team.
Freelance Designer at Various Clients
January 1, 2014 - June 1, 2024
Worked across branding, illustration, UX and campaign design for a wide range of clients including Audible, Simply Business, Knight Frank, Kids Industries, National World Publishing, and the Roald Dahl Story Company. Projects included digital and print, focusing on content for children and family audiences.
Senior Designer at Disney Interactive
July 1, 2011 - May 31, 2014
Part of a creative team designing sites, games and digital content across EMEA; covered the Lead Creative role for six months. Managed brand guardianship with well-known characters, balancing creativity and commercial goals. Collaborated with third-party agencies to ensure quality and consistency across regions.
Designer at BBC Children’s Interactive (CBBC / CBeebies)
May 1, 2009 - July 31, 2011
Designed games, created illustrations and UX for CBBC and CBeebies. Contributed to development of character-led sign-in feature, participated in user-testing workshops with children, and worked across site redesigns, pitch work, and longer-term development projects.
Freelance Designer at Various Clients including Kew Gardens, Carlton Publishing, Madame Tussauds, M&C Saatchi
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2014
Worked across digital, print, illustration and branding for diverse clients and agencies involving education projects, online games, campaign design, publishing, and packaging. Built a solid and flexible foundation.
Contract Designer at WarnerMedia (Cartoon Network / Boomerang / Cartoonito)
January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2025
Spent over five years working across digital design, illustration and branding for CN’s kids’ games, apps and campaigns. Created playful, story-led visuals, app promos, and short-form video content for global use, collaborating closely with producers and the localisation team.
Freelance Designer at Various Clients
January 1, 2014 - June 12, 2024
Worked across branding, illustration, UX and campaign design for a wide range of clients including Audible, Simply Business, Knight Frank, Kids Industries, National World Publishing, and the Roald Dahl Story Company. Projects span both digital and print, with a particular focus on content for children and family audiences.
Senior Designer at Disney Interactive
July 1, 2011 - May 31, 2014
Part of a creative team designing sites, games and digital content across EMEA. Covered the Lead Creative role for six months. Work involved well-known characters, brand guardianship, balancing creativity with commercial goals. Collaborated with third-party agencies, guiding and reviewing their creative work to ensure consistency and quality across regions.
Designer at BBC Children’s Interactive (CBBC / CBeebies)
May 1, 2009 - July 31, 2011
Designed for games, created illustrations and UX for CBBC and CBeebies. Contributed to the development of a new character-led sign-in feature, took part in user-testing workshops with children, and worked on site redesigns, pitch work and long-term development projects.
Freelance Designer at Various Clients and Agencies (Kew Gardens, Carlton Publishing, Madame Tussauds, M&C Saatchi etc.)
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2014
Worked across digital, print, illustration and branding for a mix of clients and agencies – from education projects and online games to campaign design, publishing and packaging.

Education

MA Design Futures at Goldsmiths College / London
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005
BA (Hons) Illustration at Falmouth College of Arts / Cornwall
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2003
FH Visual Communication at Dortmund / Germany
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1999
MA Design Futures at Goldsmiths College / London
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2001
BA (Hons) Illustration at Falmouth College of Arts / Cornwall
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 2000
FH Visual Communication at Dortmund / Germany
January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1996

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Consumer Goods, Non-Profit Organization
    uniE621 The Scotsman Cross-Platform Brand Guidelines
    As a freelance designer for National Publishing (formerly Johnston Press), I developed a comprehensive, editable style guide for The Scotsman. The guidelines covered both print and digital platforms, detailing colour palettes, typography, logo usage, and tailored specifications to meet the unique requirements of each medium. For more info and images, see: https://www.behance.net/gallery/226031987/Brand-Identity-for-Digital-Platforms…
    uniE621 Cartoon Network Climate Champions
    Developed concept visuals and pitch mockups for Cartoon Network’s global Climate Champions initiative, encouraging kids to take positive action for the planet through fun challenges. Following a creative workshop, I designed a wide range of assets for the microsite, including challenge templates, site-wide banners, school resources, and eco-themed props adapted to fit existing CN character artwork. I also created short-form video clips for social media, helping to bring the campaign to life across multiple platforms. Please see more info and images here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/226022789/Cartoon-Network-Climate-Champions…
    uniE621 Cartoon Network ToonCup Brand Refresh and Character Kits
    I refreshed the visual style of Cartoon Network’s ToonCup, designing new character kits, in-app assets, and pitch mockups for brand partnerships, while keeping the look fun and on-brand. I also created short-form social media clips to support campaign promotion. For more info and images, see here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/226031347/Cartoon-Network-ToonCup-Style-Refresh https://www.behance.net/gallery/226030493/Toon-Cup-character-kit…
    uniE621 Matilda Asset Pack
    I was commissioned by The Roald Dahl Story Company to create a playful, story-led asset pack to celebrate 30 years of Matilda. I designed the assets to inspire kids to “rewrite the rules” using bold, gender-neutral colours and hand-drawn slogans, ensuring flexibility across product categories. I also developed product mockups for pitches shared with licensees including Doc Martens, Akroyd & Sons (suppliers of nightwear for Tu), and Paperchase. For more info and images, see here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/226030871/Matilda-asset-pack…
    uniE621 Clip Gallery
    A selection of short-form content created for various Cartoon Network apps, including ToonCup, Powerpuff Yourself, and Climate Champions. These clips were designed to introduce new characters, highlight app features, and celebrate themed event days in the Climate Champions calendar - strange “Nature is Weird” facts for World Wildlife Day or "Did you Know? Pandas" on International Panda Day. Each piece needed to feel unmistakably CN: funny, fast, and characterful, combining stock footage, CN animation rotoscopes, music, and sound special effects. Content was localised for 20+ global markets, with translations managed in collaboration with the localisation team. Produced in close partnership with a CN producer. For more info and clip links, see here: https://www.behance.net/portfolio/editor?project_id=228523955…
    uniE621 Winns Primary School Logo & Branding
    I designed a fun and engaging newsletter header using the school colours, motto, and bee mascot for consistency and recognition. Collaborating with a marketing expert, I helped craft a logo and visual identity rooted in the school’s heritage and community. The logo features a bold serif “W,” inspired by William Morris’s pattern designs and the school’s location near the William Morris Gallery on the Warner Estate in Walthamstow. The bee symbolizes each child as part of a hive, while the foliage represents growth and life - together telling a story of tradition, purpose, and community dating back to 1907. More info and images here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/226023359/Winns-Primary-School-Logo-Branding-Design…
    uniE621 Boomerang Playtime app UI and Design
    I created the overall look and feel of the Boomerang Playtime App, UI elements, show page backgrounds, and animation concepts with supporting storyboards. Worked closely with the producer to deliver a full suite of on-brand assets to create an engaging experience for preschool users. Please see more info and images here: https://www.behance.net/portfolio/editor?project_id=226022371…