Kathleen Kelly

Kathleen Sienna Kelly

Profile

A Creative Project Manager of artificial and immersive educational XR environments and games. Proven 5+ years 100% on time and on budget launches as project key holder with deep knowledge of creative and engineering pipelines, UI and UX. An empathetic leader who engages, inspires, and cultivates productive teams and partnerships. Lead Designer | Illustrator who thrives in ambiguity and consistently delivers high quality results in rapidly evolving technical environs to achieve project objectives.

Professional Experience

Sun Sea Originals, LLC (Florida) and Kelly Art Studios, LLC (Connecticut) 2015 - Present
Founder | Creative Project Manager | Lead Artist

Full service creative solutions and technical services business in the development of games and VR. Professional Digital Illustrator and Visual Designer with expertise in corporate and product concepting, 2D art, written content, illustration, scope, storyboarding, UI and UED, requirements, pipelines, verification and launch of digital products for kids and adults. Nationally exhibited painter, muralist, author, photographer, ceramicist, and motivational speaker.

Clients: Virtical, Atheneum, Penguin, Holiday House, Teaching K-8 Magazine, CIGNA

Left Brain Games, Inc., Torrington, CT 2014 - 2015
Creative Technologist (Part time) https://www.lbgdev.biz/industry.php

Responsible for innovating and pivoting between multiple B2B products each day with attention to detail as primary technical artist within a fast moving, rapidly evolving Agile startup launching direct to consumer interactive mobile games. Branded products led brainstorming sessions. Designed marketing materials. Created art assets, user interface, and wireframes. Wrote product stories. Performed cross-platform testing. Collaborated with engineers. Advised on UX.

Clients: DARPA, PBSKids, Kid Awesome, EyeTech Digital Systems, Ripley Entertainment, and Mattel Corp.

Sabbatical 2006 - 2014

Developing Artist Institute, LLC, Manchester, CT 2001 - 2006
Founder, Director, Employer, Communications & Art Teacher

Founded a successful private art school. Hired and trained staff of five. Engaged directly with clients, parents, and built community partnerships. Developed an inclusive, differentiated 2D and 3D art curricula including portfolio development. Taught classes and camps. Launched students into art colleges. Established and maintained 4000 sq. ft. facility with 200+ year-round students ages 6 - 80.

The McGraw-Hill Companies, New Media Division 1991 - 2001
Project Manager (1996-2001)

Managed high-cost interactive simulation-based reading, science, and math products for state adoption. Served as a product manager and key holder with deep knowledge of product requirements, cross functional processes, and pipelines. Spearheaded stakeholder communication through targeted and concise written and verbal communication. Highly detailed, strategic and risk averse project tracking of budgets, client, and product objectives. Led teams through candid feedback, lessons learned, and responsive innovation. Collaborated with 80+ experts in multiple time zones with expertise in ID, art, animation, translation, AV, engineering, documentation, UX, permissions, legal, and QA. Managed offshore developers and verified deliverables.

2D Artist, Illustrator, Lead Outsource Artist (1991 – 1996)

Responsible for digital concept, design, illustration, and product development in collaboration with Instructional Designers and Engineers in the launch of engaging, interactive educational software for grades K-12. Outsource Art Lead to art vendors. Verified and reviewed all art in process and final art assets for highest standards of quality and consistency across MH brand. Signed invoices.

Education, Certifications, Volunteer

Hartford Art School
Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA), University of Hartford, CT 2000 – GPA 3.91

Paier College of Art
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA), Hamden, CT 1986 – GPA 3.49

Additional Coursework

Graphic Design, Fairfield University | Spanish, University of Salamanca

Certifications

MS Project, AutoCAD 360, Managing Multiple Projects, AP Studio Art

Courses in Microsoft Power Platform (2022)

Volunteer

HD Camera Operator for a Florida non-profit reported to Director of Production 2021 - 2022
HD Camera Operator, Trainer, Film Director reported to Director of AV Production 2014 - 2016