Karen Kuo
Contact: karen@thestatuskuo.com
Karen is an Artist working in Feature and Series Animation, based in Los Angeles.
Please email to request access to NDA work
Jan 2024 - Present - Color/Paint Supervisor at Sony Animation
+ Unannounced Project
2017 - Present - Freelance - Visual Development and Art Direction
+ Clients include Dreamworks TV, Nickelodeon, WB Animation, ReelFX, and Disney TV, WAG, Netflix, Wild Canary, and Sony.
- Blue sky concept art for pitches, color scripting, style frames, key art.
- Story beat paintings, character design, and lookdev exploration.
- Freelance production work for 2D / CG Series and Feature projects.
Sep 2022 - Jun 2023 - Visual Development Artist at Netflix
+ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Set Design and Concept, Blue Sky Exploration
Jun 2022 - Aug 2022 - Freelance Art Director at Cartoon Network
+ Unannounced Streaming Feature (Cancelled)
- Initial Character and Concept Design, worked with Supervising Producer and Directors to flesh out the look and designs of the main characters and final look of.
Jun 2021 - May 2022 - Assistant Art Director at Warner Bros. Animation
+ Wings of Fire (Cancelled)
- Assisted in creation of style bible, lookdev, development, and model pack structure for characters and sets. Oversee style consistency and quality of the design department.
- Character Design and Character model pack breakdowns
- Provided FX Breakdowns and Lighting Key Paintings
Oct 2020 - Jun 2021 - Visual Development Artist at Netflix
+ Leo
- Set design, Lighting Concepts, Breakdown sets into Model Packs for overseas vendor studio
Jan 2020 - Oct 2020 - Visual Development Artist at Warner Bros. Animation
+ Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai
- Set design, Character design, model pack breakdowns for characters and environments.
Sep 2017 - Dec 2019 - Visual Development Artist at Dreamworks Television
+ Fast and Furious Spy Racers
- 2D Sequence Art
+ Boss Baby: Back in Business
- Set Design, Prop Design, model pack breakdowns, Matte Paintings, FX and Lighting Keys
+ Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny
- 2D Sequence Art, Matte Paintings, Paintovers, FX and Lighting Keys
+ Development Projects
- Set and Character Concepts for Development
Jun 2017 - Sep 2017 - Visual Development Trainee at Dreamworks Television
+ Trolls: The Beat Goes On!
- 2D Layout, Color Design, Bg Paint
+ Harvey Street Kids
- Prop Design and Color Design
2016 - 2D Artist at Insomniac Games
+ Song of the Deep
- Environment Design and Layout, Character Design, FX Design
+ Feral Rites
- UI Map and Menu Art
+Unannounced Project
- Character and Environment Concepts
————Education————-
2012-2015 - Art Center College of Design
B.F.A in Illustration, Entertainment Arts with Honors
————-Art Gallery Group Exhibitions—————
+ Jun 2015 - Fan*Alley Gallery - Jurassic Art Show
+ Sep 2016 - Pixeldrip Gallery - Persona Art Show
+ Oct 2016 - Qpop Gallery - J Horror Show
+ April 2017 - Qpop Gallery - Miniature Show
+ Mar 2021 - Chunky Paper Popup - “I’m From Here” AA Show
+ Aug 2021 - Chunky Paper - Pawnshop Ghosts Duo Show with Britney Liu
+ Sep 2021 - Chunky Paper - “Have You Eaten Yet?” Show
+ Jun 2023 - Around Gallery - “To Infinity” Risograph Show
+ Oct 2023 - Around Gallery - “Night Class” Show
————Skills————
Proficient in Photoshop, Blender, Maya, Heavypaint, Clip Studio Paint, Procreate, Gouache, Ink