Hello, my name is Jody Carroll McMurrian. I am an Art Director, Illustrator, Songwriter (WWW.JODYCARROLL.COM), Lecturer, Historian, Writer, and Collaborator with over two decades of experience in the creative and entertainment industries. My journey began as a co-founder and lead scenic painter at Mural Works in Los Angeles where I oversaw large-scale mural projects for clients worldwide. After receiving my BFA in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and then my MFA from Portland State University in Portland Oregon, I’ve worked on design and illustration projects for renowned companies such as Disney, Activision, Microsoft, and advertising legends like Wieden+Kennedy and Razorfish. I’ve contributed to many major campaigns for brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, Levi's, Old - Spice, Calafia and Disney, and have had the opportunity to work across a variety of media, including interactive game design, advertising campaigns, animation, and web development.

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Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to lead incredible teams and projects. At Happy Trails Animation, I served as Art Director and Lead Illustrator, guiding numerous animation, design, and advertising projects. During my time at RRD International, I designed and illustrated catalog displays for Target Canada, contributing to their advertising efforts. I’ve also collaborated with global brands such as Microsoft, Old Spice, Adidas, and T-Mobile, creating designs for billboards, online campaigns, and product displays. Beyond my professional work, I’ve shared my passion and knowledge with others as a lecturer and writer, always looking for ways to inspire the next generation of creatives in the fields of art direction, animation, and design.

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I hold an M.F.A. in Painting and New Media from Portland State University, where I also received the University Scholarly Distinction Award. My educational background includes a B.F.A. in Illustration with a Fine Art minor from Art Center College of Design, where I graduated with full honors. I’ve also studied Drawing and Painting at California College of Arts and Crafts and earned an A.A. in Liberal Arts with a Fine Art minor from Los Medanos College. In addition to my academic achievements, I have extensive teaching experience, having instructed at Portland State University, Oregon State University, and the Art Institute of Portland, where I taught subjects ranging from Digital Illustration and Design to Art History and Painting.

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My digital skills include expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, sound editing, and cross-platform experience with both Mac and PC.