Michelle Ouellette

About Michelle Ouellette

Creative & Art Director · Artist · Dog Enthusiast Hey, I’m Michelle — a Canuck…

Experience

1. Art Director

   Red Games Co.

   May 2023 — Present

   I specialize in game design for Crayola Create & Play, a vibrant and ever-evolving mobile game designed for young children. This app is packed with creativity—offering everything from open-world sandbox exploration to engaging mini-games and hands-on activities that spark imagination.Lead Artistic & Functionality DesignMy role sits at the intersection of art, design, and functionality, ensuring that every feature feels playful, and visually inspiring. Here’s what that looks like day to day: Creative Direction & Concept Art – I develop and guide the artistic vision for new open-world areas, ensuring they feel immersive, colorful, and full of discovery. Asset Creation – Whether it\'s digital painting, 3D modeling, or designing interactive elements, I create assets that bring the world of Create & Play to life. Gameplay & Activity Design – From brainstorming new mini-games to refining the functionality of existing activities, I help shape experiences that are not only fun but also engaging.🤝 Cross-Team Collab – I lead feedback loops with engineering, art, 3D, VFX, QA, and marketing teams, making sure everything works harmoniously. Communication is key—whether it\'s with producers, the lead director, or team members across disciplines. Mentorship & Onboarding – I support new artists as they join the team, providing guidance and insight to help them succeed. Light Unity Support – I assist with Unity implementation, ensuring artistic elements translate smoothly into the game engine.Since I joined, Crayola Create & Play has remained one of the Top 5 Arcade apps and has been featured as iOS App of the Day 5 times—a testament to the team’s dedication and passion. But beyond the accolades, what makes this work special is knowing that we’re creating a living picture book where kids can play, learn, and develop a lifelong connection to art. It’s an incredible feeling to be part of something that nurtures creativity and imagination in young minds.

Education

• St. Clair College

  Graphic Design, Graphic Design

  2002 — 2005

• Sheridan College

  Computer Animation, 3d Animation

  2005 — 2006

• Babson College

  Business

Skills

• Traditional Animation
• Maya
• After Effects
• Photoshop
• Digital Painting
• Flash
• Texture Painting
• Concept Art
• Character Animation
• Character Designs
• Storyboarding
• Compositing
• Graphics
• Drawing
• Animation
• Adobe Illustrator
• Illustration
• Indesign
• Concept Design
• Cinema 4d
• Visual Storytelling
• Story
• Graphic Design
• Nuke
• Children's Books
• Adobe Photoshop
• Visual Arts
• Illustrator
• Motion Design
• Conceptual Art
• Background Art
• Flash Animation
• Visual Development