Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
I graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a degree in animation in 2021 and immediately started working as a Storyboard Artist on Tuca & Bertie for Adult Swim after being found by the Director on Twitter. As well, I was doing freelance storyboarding on Jessica’s Big Little World at Cartoon Network.
In June 2022, I moved out to L.A. and did storyboard revisions at Titmouse and A24. Most recently, I drew the upcoming Adventure Time comic “Friends to the End.” releasing September 3, 2025. I am also trying to pitch my graphic novel, and have done animated music videos, album art, and merchandise design for musicians and influencers. I occasionally sell prints and stickers of my art and love sewing and fashion design, and I am having my first runway show in downtown L.A. in October.
What challenges have you faced in navigated a career in animation?
Stability has definitely been the most difficult challenge in this career. I graduated during COVID and have been trying to keep my head above water my entire career. My longest job was eight months, and my other jobs have usually been around two or three months. I’ve been unemployed since August 2023 and have been trying to find animation work ever since, but the current state of the industry has been very unstable, and it’s difficult to stay motivated during this long dry spell. It’s become discouraging to the point where I’m not sure I’ll even get another job, but I’m going to continue trying.
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
My biggest inspiration and favorite animator is Masaaki Yuasa. I adore how fluid and explosive his animation is despite how minimal his designs are. I also feel his work is very cute, but not in the conventional way. I have this design principle that something has to be a little ugly or a little odd looking to be cute. I’m a big fan of “crude,” almost child-like drawings, but executed in a way that is clear the artist is very skilled, like Crayon Shin-chan or the first Animal Crossing game on the GameCube. (The new ones are too squeaky clean and commercially cute, you know?) I also am a huge sci-fi fan, and my favorite illustrator is Moebius. I adore his mixing of retro sci-fi with high fantasy design. I overall really like art and media that feels nostalgic for the past but also is heading into the future.
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
It’s hard to say, because when I first moved to L.A. I had a lot of big dreams of working at all my favorite studios and getting to be a part of incredible projects, but with this two years of unemployment, my goal now is to just get back in one day. I try not to have big dreams and have too high expectations, because I’m scared of being let down. I would love to work in a studio one day. I know it sounds weird probably, but I graduated during COVID and have only ever worked from home in my parent’s house and then my small apartment alone. I dream of the water cooler hangout!
What does being in the Union mean to you?
I’m so grateful to be in a career where we have the protections and support the Union gives us. Sometimes I hear about the lack of benefits and protection from friends and family working in other industries, and I think, “Wow I’m luckier than I thought,” I also love the community it brings us. I feel like besides all the benefits, the Union makes us more close-knit in a field that can be very lonely. I also am so proud of how much we fight for justice and improving our quality of life in our industry, how we don’t back down and take no for an answer when something isn’t right.
Learn more about McKenzie at her website.
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