Rachel Headlam is an animation artist whose journey into the industry began with a simple love of cartoons and anime. A graduate of ArtCenter College of Design, Rachel has cultivated her craft through roles that challenge both her creativity and leadership.

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Her career launched at JumpButton Studio, where she thrived as a character and prop designer. She fully immersed herself in the collaborative processes of animation production.  A standout achievement with JumpButton Studio was serving as the Animation Director for the short film Pizza Girl, a project that underscored her ability to lead teams, craft heartfelt narratives, and develop an IP and brand from the ground up.

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Rachel’s professional ventures also include freelancing for renowned clients such as Disney, DreamWorks TV, and celebrated music artists like Denzel Curry, John Legend, and Cookie Kawaii. Her versatile expertise spans traditional animation, concept art, illustration, comics, and costume design, forming a rich tapestry of creative experiences. She has collaborated with groundbreaking BIPOC owned studios like Black Women Animate and CBA Studios, where she made gorgeous visuals and highlighted underrepresented stories.

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At ArtCenter, Rachel directed Brotherly Love, a 10-minute film about mental health in the black community. This piece showcased her multifaceted abilities. She managed every aspect of production, from art direction and character design to layout and compositing, as well as pitching, scheduling, and voice talent scouting. This project solidified her calling to animation direction and production, while seamlessly sharing a resonant story.

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Rachel’s work reflects her passion for crafting visuals that reflect her lived experience as black woman, passions as a humanist, and interests as a nerd. Whether leading a small team, collaborating with industry giants, or venturing into new creative territories, she brings an unwavering work ethic and a fresh perspective to every project.

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instagram @rachelheadlam