Mark McDonnell

About Mark McDonnell
Over the last several years as an Animation and Entertainment professional, Mark McDonnell has become recognized as a highly respected designer in many facets of the industry. His client list includes Walt Disney Feature Animation, Disney Toon Studio, The Walt Disney Television Animation, Pixar, Miramax, Fox, H.I.T. Entertainment, New Line, Mattel, Sony, Legendary Pictures, The Jim Henson Company, Big Idea Inc. and many more. Mark McDonnell’s work as a designer has touched a wide variety of skill sets while working for many of the Studios. He has worked as a character designer, a layout/set designer, prop designer, look development designer and instructs at many of the Studios as well as local Art Academy’s. He is also the author of an industry standard book, “The Art and Feel of Making It Real: Gesture Drawing for the Animation and Entertainment Industry,” as well as “Mark McDonnell’s Creativemarks Sketchbook: Volume 01.”

Little Know Tidbit: Mark is an active out-of-doors kind of guy and he originally had his first artistic job working for Applause, Inc. creating the toys for the McDonald’s Happy Meal Deals. He’s also a Super Hero at night. . . he has the bruises to prove it!

Mentor Preferences
Mark would like to help his mentee to think specifically and not in a general manner. Mark believes the industry is founded on specifics and that’s a trait that needs to be developed, to see what a studio/production needs in order to get the job.  Mark will be giving his mentee specific assignments to his mentee to help them prepare their portfiolio for professional positions.  In addition, if Mark’s mentee lives locally, he would like them to visit the studio once or twice and attend the Gesture Drawing Workshop he instructs to give them more intensive focus.

Maximum Number of Mentees: 1

Maximum Distance: International

Language(s): English only

Preferred Meeting Times: Lunch time gatherings would be preferred, but he is open to be flexible. The gesture class sessions would be during the evenings on Thursday around 5:50 P.M. The location could change as he would be more than happy to have them come to the Studio, draw at a lunchtime session and meet during the weekend if needed.

To apply to become Mark’s mentee, click here.