Thank you!

Creative Art Works’ Character Design internship program receives support from the AEO Better World Foundation, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Leroy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Ponce de Leon Foundation, and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation. Creative Art Works also receives funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Söner On 
Söner On is a graphic designer & illustrator who creates visual identities for corporate brands to small businesses. He specialize in custom hand lettering, illustration, and brand character mascot design. As a researcher and collector of brand mascots across advertising history, he also offer clients consultation on refreshes and new designs of brand mascots.

R. Kikuo Johnson
R. Kikuo Johnson is a cartoonist and illustrator born on Maui in 1981. His award winning drawings and stories regularly appear in books, advertisements, periodicals, animation, and on the cover of the New Yorker. Johnson teaches at the School of Visual Arts and lives with his wife and daughter in Brooklyn. His most recent book is the graphic novella, No One Else, and in 2023, he became the first cartoonist to win the Whiting Award.

Kingsley Nebechi
Kingsley Nebechi is a Nigerian-British illustrator and creative director renowned for his vibrant, layered visual style that blends Afro-futurism, symbolism, and modern design. His work spans editorial illustration, album artwork, brand campaigns, and murals, with clients including Nike, Apple, and The New York Times. Kingsley’s characters are celebrated for their bold colors, narrative depth, and cultural references that celebrate identity and imagination.

Brookes Eggleston
Brookes Eggleston is a character designer and educator dedicated to helping emerging artists develop original characters with clarity and confidence. He runs the Character Design Forge, a platform offering tutorials, courses, and a popular YouTube channel. Brookes’ approach emphasizes storytelling, shape design, and iteration, encouraging creators to express personality and purpose through visual design.

Jim Gray
Jim Gray is a veteran gameplay engineer and the founder of Jim Gray Productions, a game studio focused on creating immersive, multi-generational gaming experiences. With over two decades in the video game industry, Jim has contributed to AAA titles like Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Eragon, and Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire. His studio's debut game, Escape from Hadrian’s Wall, is a VR escape room adventure that blends historical fiction with magical realism, showcasing his commitment to innovative storytelling and engaging gameplay.