Hailey Lain

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Senior 2D animator and character artist with over a decade of experience across television animation, games, and independent productions. Specializes in character acting, action animation, FX, and visual development, with strong supporting experience in editing and audio. Creator and animator on multiple viral animated works totaling 95.5M+ views.

CORE SKILLS

• Character Animation (Key, Rough, Clean-Up, Tie-Down)
• Acting, Performance, & Action Animation
• 2D FX Animation
• Character Design & Visual Development
• Storyboarding & Layout
• Video Editing & Motion Graphics
• Audio Editing & Vocal Performance

SOFTWARE
Animation / Art: Toon Boom Harmony, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Clip Studio Paint, Spine, Photoshop
Video / Audio: Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, Audition, Audacity, Melodyne

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Visual Development Artist / Lead Animator
Brazen Animation — Jan 2023 – Dec 2025

• 2D animation (traditional and rigged) across layout, rough, clean-up, and color on a wide range of commercial and game-related productions
• Character design, concept art, and style frames for client-facing and internal projects
• Lead-level animation responsibilities while remaining primarily hands-on with shot production
• Contributed animation and visual development to promotional content for Magic: The Gathering (Bloomburrow trailer), Monopoly GO!, and Genshin Impact
• Worked on multiple unannounced studio IPs and concept animation for action-oriented game projects
• Performed as a motion capture model for game animation
• In-house studio role with hybrid work environment

Independent Cultural Project
Illustration & Character Animation Project — Kurama, Kyoto (Voluntary Work) — Sep 2025–Present

• Illustration and character animation created as gifted works inspired by the Kurama Temple area and its associated history, folklore, and cultural figures
• Character portraits and short animations depicting figures from Japanese history and mythology, including Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Ushiwakamaru), Sōjōbō, Tengu, and Bishamonten (in progress)
• Each piece designed with the intent of suitability for cultural and educational display, portraying defining personality traits or mythological aspects through pose, motion, and expression
• Collaborative personal project developed with an expert in Japanese culture, folklore, and animation direction
• Emphasis on cultural research, respectful interpretation, and character-driven visual storytelling

Independent Animator, Animation Supervisor, Video Editor & Music Creator
KeyBlack Studios / YouTube (Self-Employed) — Nov 2017–Present

• Animation, storyboarding, FX, video editing, and audio production for animated music videos and performance-based content totaling 96M+ views
• Animator & vocalist on multiple viral animated music videos, including WELCOME HOME: A BATIM Animated Musical , WELCOME HOME: REMASTERED, and BEHIND THE CURTAIN: An Animated Musical Extravaganza
• Served as animation supervisor on collaborative music video productions, coordinating animation work across contributors while remaining directly involved in shot animation
• Original music composition, songwriting, and vocal performance for animated works
• Produced a broad range of content including animated music videos, performance pieces, mockumentaries, animation-driven storytelling, art process videos, livestreamed art and game content, and collaborative projects with other artists
• Ongoing freelance and collaborative video editing for independent creators and clients (late 2023–present), supporting animation, music video, and performance-driven productions

Videographer / Editor & Animator
Louder with Crowder (LWC) — Jul 2022–Dec 2022

• Video production, editing, and animation for live talk show environment
• On-call, real-time production of visual assets under tight deadlines

Character Animator (Freelance)
Chaos Emporium — May 2022–Jun 2022

• Key, rough, and tie-down animation for high-action animated pilot
• Shot production following established storyboards and direction

Videographer / Editor & Graphic Designer
GunMag Warehouse — Jan 2022–Jun 2022

• Filming, editing, animation, and motion graphics for e-commerce and social media content
• Branded visual assets and promotional materials

Freelance Illustrator & Animator
Self-Employed — Feb 2021–Present

• Concept Art, character design, and inks for original high-fantasy graphic novel
• Custom illustration and animation commissions per client specifications

Animation Supervisor
Lighthouse Studios — Sept 2020–July 2021

• Supervision and management of an animation team on a high-intensity animated production
• Served as acting animation director during pre-production, establishing animation approach, standards, and expectations prior to director hire
• Reviewed animation tests and contributed to hiring recommendations
• Provided ongoing animation feedback, shot review, and quality control during production

Character Animator (Freelance)
Powerhouse Animation Studios — Sept 2020

• Key, rough, and tie-down animation for CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story

Senior Character Animator
Flying Bark Productions — May 2018–Sept 2020

• Rough and key character animation for Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Rough and key character animation for LEGO: Monkie Kid

Character Animator & Designer
Mystery Skulls Animated — Oct 2018–Oct 2020

• Character animation on episodic animated music video “Mystery Skulls Animated – The Future”
• Character design exploration and visual development support for following episodes in series

Character / Prop / FX Designer & Animator
Copernicus Studios — Jan 2017–Mar 2019

• Character, prop, and effects design for Care Bears: Unlock the Magic
• 2D character and FX animation for Care Bears: Unlock the Magic and Pickle & Peanut

EDUCATION
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
BFA, Visual Arts — Concentration in Traditional Animation
Magna Cum Laude, December 2016