Leslie Strock

Leslie Strock

Art Director, Illustrator, and Character Designer

Mid-level Concept Artist and Illustrator / 13 yrs

United States

Hire Me

Concept Artist and Illustrator

Word Party (2016)

Character Designer

Dot (2016)

Concept Artist and Illustrator

Splash and Bubbles (2016)

Style / Medium
Style / Medium Clear
Assets
Assets Clear
Skills
Skills Clear
Software
Software Clear
Projects
Projects Clear
Companies
Companies Clear
Hello! I'm an illustrator and character designer with 13 years of experience working on children's programming, video games, and apps. I am also the creator, writer, and art director of the comic "Fins & Crinolines".
Work History
  • Art Director, Writer, & Artist - "Fins & Crinolines" Comic

    Self-employed

    February 2018 - Present
    On-site

    • Directed and designed characters for webcomic series, managing the design processes from concept to final production.
    • Developed detailed character models, expressions, and costumes that contributed to an engaging story.
    • Conducted research and gathered reference materials to support project.
    • Illustrated thousands of panels, maintain a unique and appealing style throughout.

  • Art Director and Illustrator

    WEBTOON

    April 2018 - February 2025

    I wrote, designed, directed, and illustrated the webcomic "Fins & Crinolines".

  • Fabricator - Generalist

    CJS workshop

    October 2023 - August 2024

    • Constructed detailed full body costumes for theme park characters, ensuring high standards of durability, comfort, safety, and visual appeal.
    • Used materials such as faux fur, foam, and specialized fabrics to create engaging costumes.
    • Collaborated with costume designers, directors, and performers to refine designs and ensure the costumes align with client needs.
    • Maintained and repaired costumes as needed, performing regular inspections to ensure they remain in optimal condition.
    • Worked in Adobe Creative Suite to design extensive technical documents for costumes and their fabrication needs.

  • Puppet Fabricator

    A&E Puppet Company

    February 2023 - October 2023

    • Created detailed and imaginative custom puppets for The Walt Disney Company, focusing on functionality, durability, and visual appeal to enhance guest experiences.
    • Utilized materials such as foam, fabric, and mechanical components to construct puppets that meet the rigorous demands of theme park environments.
    • Collaborated with directors and performers to ensure functional and expressive puppet designs that align with client needs.

  • Character Designer

    Spin Master

    2023 - July 2023
    Canada · Remote

    I designed and developed multiple characters for a childrens television series.

  • Illustrator

    Six To Start

    March 2020 - May 2023

    I designed characters and artwork for various audio dramas and merchandising.

  • Game Designer and Concept Illustrator

    Pocket Burger Games

    February 2021 - March 2022

    I designed characters, game concepts, and assets for multiple apps that were in development.

  • Game Designer and Illustrator

    Pocket Burger Games

    2021 - 2022
    United Kingdom · Remote

    • Designed and produced a substantial library of in-game assets for a forthcoming app, contributing to a rich and engaging player experience.
    • Utilized Adobe Creative Suite to create and refine all in-game artwork, ensuring high-quality visuals and adherence to design standards.
    • Developed innovative character designs and conceptual art for new game projects, enhancing game narratives and visual appeal.
    • Participated in regular meetings with the art director to ensure alignment with project objectives and to maintain stylistic consistency across all game assets.
    • Demonstrated adaptability by efficiently managing frequent project changes and new assignments, effectively responding to evolving design requirements and deadlines.

  • Game Designer and Concept Illustrator

    PBS

    June 2021 - October 2021
    New York, United States · Remote

    I designed characters, props, environments, and assets for multiple online games based on PBS Kids shows.

  • Game Designer

    SMG STUDIO

    March 2021 - August 2021

    I created concept art for new themes and levels in "Sp!ng".

  • Guest Services Host and Conservation Specialist

    Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

    2020 - 2021
    Florida, United States · On-site

    • Conducted educational presentations for visitors on park wildlife and conservation practices, promoting environmental stewardship and animal protection.
    • Upheld rigorous cleanliness standards across park facilities and animal habitats, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for both animals and guests.
    • Performed daily monitoring of animals and conducted thorough inspections of habitats to identify and address potential hazards.
    • Assisted trainers in the development of animal behaviors and participated in feeding sessions for sea lions, dolphins, and seals, supporting the animals' health and enrichment needs.
    • Responded promptly to remove any potential hazards from animal habitats, maintaining a secure and safe environment.
    • Provided guests with comprehensive information and necessary equipment for interactions with animals, enhancing their overall experience and engagement.

  • Merchandise Illustrator and Designer

    JoieDomi

    2017 - 2018
    Arizona, United States · Remote

    • Utilized Adobe Illustrator to design artwork for holiday gift wrapping, packaging, and decorative elements, delivering visually appealing seasonal designs.
    • Developed 3D packaging templates for production, facilitating accurate manufacturing and assembly processes.
    • Produced high-quality artwork within tight deadlines through consistent and effective communication with the team.
    • Conducted in-depth research on various holidays to ensure that the artwork was culturally appropriate and aligned with thematic requirements.
    • Coordinated with manufacturing teams to oversee production quality, ensuring that final products met established standards and specifications.

  • Production Illustrator

    The Jim Henson Company

    March 2013 - September 2016

    I developed character art for the shows "Splash and Bubbles", "Dot", "Word Party", and "Doozers". I also created art for online games and marketing materials.

  • Character Designer

    Nickelodeon

    February 2016 - July 2016

    I designed character concepts for an unreleased children's television show.

  • Character Designer

    Nickelodeon Animation Studio

    2016 - 2016
    California, United States · Remote

    •Designed and illustrated character concepts for a new children’s television series, contributing to the show's visual development and storytelling.
    • Utilized written materials and reference photos to inform and inspire the visual style, ensuring alignment with the series' creative direction.
    • Managed a continuous workflow and adhered to tight deadlines, consistently delivering high-quality illustrations on schedule.

  • Design Services Illustrator

    The Jim Henson Company

    2013 - 2016
    Hollywood, CA · On-site

    • Developed illustrations, character designs, and style guides for several television shows, including "Splash and Bubbles", "Dot", and "Word Party", contributing to the visual identity and coherence of each series.
    • Created and designed artwork for a range of applications, including promotional materials, packaging, online games, and books, enhancing the visibility and marketability of the shows.
    • Utilized Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to produce final files, ensuring high-quality output for various media formats.
    • Adapted existing character models to create Pantone color guides for consumer products, focusing on brand consistency and accurate color representation.
    • Edited and color-corrected CG renderings for use in promotional materials, improving visual appeal and alignment with marketing objectives.
    • Followed established file organizational protocols to archive and manage images efficiently, maintaining an organized and accessible digital asset library.

  • Studio Tour Ambassador

    Universal Studios Hollywood

    2012 - 2016
    Universal City, CA · On-site

    • Welcomed guests and addressed inquiries, providing exceptional customer service and ensuring a positive experience.
    • Efficiently managed the queue and coordinated the loading and unloading of trams, minimizing wait times and enhancing guest satisfaction.
    • Maintained cleanliness and organization within the Studio Tour area, upholding high standards of hygiene and presentation.
    • Collaborated with multilingual staff to accommodate diverse guests, ensuring that all visitors had an enjoyable and informative tour experience.
    • Conducted tests on new tour features and guided trams through these features, contributing to the successful implementation and operation of tour innovations.

  • Character Designer

    LINE Corp

    February 2015 - November 2015

    I created characters and various accessories for the LINE PLAY app.

  • Avatar Designer

    LINE Corp

    2015 - 2015
    Seoul, South Korea · On-site

    • Designed distinctive clothing, hairstyles, and props for customizable characters in the LINE PLAY app, enhancing user personalization and engagement.
    • Prepared and rigged all illustrated assets for animation within the app, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.
    • Collaborated with an international team based in South Korea, including travel as needed, to synchronize efforts and achieve project objectives.
    • Created and illustrated a diverse range of items with various themes, contributing to a rich and varied in-app experience.

Education
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Illustration

    Ringling College of Art and Design

    2008 - 2012