Michelle Tessier

Animation professor

M.F.A., film and television, University of California, Los Angeles
B.A., American literature and culture, Asian American studies, University of California, Los Angeles

Professor of animation, 2016–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

Designer for print greeting cards, 2018–present, RubberChickenCards.com, Los Angeles

Game builder, 2015–17, ABCMouse.com, Age of Learning
Illustration, design, layout, asset building, and animation for Grade 2 and English as a Foreign Language online games

Animator/character designer, 2015, Concoction Lab
Animation and design for App commercial titled Activity Hero

Designer, 2014–15, Ripples in the Pond Production Company
Designed, animated, and painted company title sequence

Background artist and contributor toward animatic asset building, 2014–15, Nickelodeon Animation
Provided backgrounds for story artists, animatic editors, and directors for story department for animated show titled, Breadwinners

Character designer, 2014, Picturemill Studios
SpongeBob SquarePants the Movie 2, contributed character designs for a proof-of-concept pitch for animated end credits (Seagull vs. Dolphin Rap)

Freelance animator, 2013–17, Steve Belfer Creative
- The Spoils Before Dying: What is JAZZ?, a UPA-styled short for IFC Films, animation, 2D character set-up
- TED Animated shorts: Ants, The Brain Debate, Why Do Knuckles Pop?, animation
- JINXED! Produced by Nickelodeon TV and Picturemill Studios, animation, 2D character setup

Proof of concept illustrator, 2013, Hasbro Studios
"Boy-tastic Team" ages 4–8, created concept art for game properties

Character designer, 2012, Hasbro Studios
Created model packs for Elefun, Hungry Hungry Hippo, Giraffe-a-Laugh, Monkey, Gator, and Mousetrap; drew and designed characters in expressive poses and various costumes for the illustration and toy packaging team

Illustrator, 2011–17, Adapt-ED Consultants
Illustrator for presentations and printed media serving to teach basic neuroscience to children and educators

Illustrator, 2011, Hasbro Studios
Thumb-nailed compositions, planned and created layout, and painting final digital color for an illustrated interactive storybook for Elefun & Friends properties

Storyboard artist, animator, compositor, 2010, American Greetings Online
Using existing assets, storyboarded and executed the animation and compositing for an online winter holiday greeting card

Teacher's assistant, 2004–06, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, Los Angeles

Student Emmy "Outstanding Children’s Series" for Camp Bean All Things Woodsey awarded by the Television Academy, 2008
Reader/Judge for 60-minute category, Humanitas Prize, 2007–15
34th Annual Student Academy Awards "Regional Achievement" for Camp Bean All Things Woodsey awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 2007
"Best Animated Film," Camp Bean All Things Woodsey, awarded by UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, 2007
Judge, Blue Ribbon Panel, Mister Rogers Scholarship 2006, 2008, 2012
Inaugural Mister Rogers Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Television Academy and Ernst & Young, 2005
Lew Wasserman Award, 2005
Bronze Plaque, Columbus International Film and Video Festival, 2004

Guest Lecturer, Savannah State University, August 2018
Exhibitor, World of the Wild Annual Art Show, Hogle Zoo Utah, 2016
Animation consultant, Two Friends Entertainment and Paul & Joe Productions, 2009
Guest speaker at WQED Studios in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 2009
Guest speaker at the Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College Latrobe, Pa., May 2009
Guest speaker at Pacific Ties Editors Share Legacy of Student Media, UCLA, November 2009
Guest speaker, Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, Fall 2007