Rachel G Whalon

Inspirations: Don Bluth, anime (because of course), survival horror games, historical costumes, fashion design, and overly designed household items

Favorite Things: A dog named Jaeger, Coffee, vaporwave and liminal spaces, hyper-focusing on farming in games that are not about farming

Super Powers: Patience, talking to strangers, ethnic ambiguity

I work as a freelance designer and illustrator, most recently for marketing, and visual development for indie games. I’m currently focusing on transitioning fully to designing for games, animation, and interactive media.

I have a focus on character, props, and costumes. I specifically would like to work for an indie game studio or a small development studio. The opportunity to be a generalist and work on more experimental projects or for a more niche market really excites me. I work well with developers and overseas teams, and I love wearing many hats. I’m flexible and a fast learner, and I have a lot of experience working on projects independently, so I’d be a great fit for a small up-and-coming team or a remote position.

Experience

Contract Digital Media Artist

Sierra Circuts, Inc.

JAN 2020 – Present

-Create artwork for digital and print advertising including technical illustrations

-Created animation for online ads and explainer videos

-UI/UX design for software and web products as needed.

Freelance Designer/Illustrator

Self-Employed

FEB 2012 - Present

-Costume Designer/Director for the 2012, 2013, 2014 fall season for the Stanford Savoyards

-Stage Direction and Producing for Stanford Savoyards

-Original artwork for digital or print products including book cover

design, graphic design for web and print, book layout, Illustrations.

-Studio Assistant for Burn the Box Studios - Concept/Costume Design

Marketing Specialist/Artist

Sierra Circuts, Inc.

SEP, 2016 - Present

-Design layouts for print ads and brochures, banners for trade show events

-Create artwork for digital and print advertising including technical illustrations

-Created animation for online ads and explainer videos

-UI/UX design for software and browser Apps

-Use google analytics and Marketo to improve design and flow of automated advertising

Stop Motion Animation Camp Instructor

KMVT Silicon Valley Community Television

JUN 2013 - AUG 2013

-Developed syllabus for a program that enables students to participate in all aspects of making shot stop motion films.

Animator/Illustrator/concept artist

The Etymology of Zero

JUN 2013 - AUG 2013

-Helped develop world elements and transition sequences

-Animated sections of the initial animatic which earned funding

Concept/Game Artist

Zen Oter LLC,

JUN 2013 - AUG 2013

- Designed backgrounds, graphic interface, and in-game assets

- Created concept art

Education

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

B.A. in Cinema with Animation Emphasis

AUG 2007 - MAY 2010

• Volunteer - Stoy atist and Character Animator for the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival.

SKILLS

Adobe Creative Suite CC, CorelPainter

Video Editing, Motion Graphics

General 3D (Modeling, Texture, Lighting, Rigging, Animation (Blender, Unity)

Mac and Windows OS

Online/Social Media Marketing

Exceptional Interpersonal Skills

Team Management

Costume Fabrication and Design

AWARDS

AP Scholar Award for exemplary college-level Achievement on Advanced Placement Program Examinations

2004 Bank of America Achievement Awards in the field of English.

Governor's Scholarship as presented by Golden State ScholarShare

2003 California Arts Scholar as recognized by the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)

2004 California Arts Scholar as recognized by the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA)