FIT Illustration Department

FIT Illustration Department Official Facebook of the FIT Illustration program, the Animation program and the Creative Technology & Design Minor

The Illustration & Interactive Media Department is excited to welcome Leo Santana as the very first full-time faculty me...
05/20/2026

The Illustration & Interactive Media Department is excited to welcome Leo Santana as the very first full-time faculty member in Animation & Game Design! 🎬🎮✨
Leo Santana’s work bridges the gap between concept and the final frame. By specializing in layout, animation, lighting, and compositing, he translates raw scripts and storyboards into dynamic cinematic sequences.
With a career rooted in high-end visual storytelling at world-renowned studios, Leo has contributed to major productions from their initial pitch to the final polish. His technical previs and postvis work has helped shape complex sequences and visualize blockbusters such as Thor: Love and Thunder, Wicked, Deadpool & Wolverine, Ms. Marvel, and the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, to name a few.
Leo offers a direct bridge to the industry with his understanding of the entire production pipeline, giving emerging artists practical insights to navigate technical hurdles.
Away from the animation desk, Leo is an avid traveler who has visited 12 countries so far, including a year spent living and working in London, UK. When he isn’t stamping his passport or competing in fighting game tournaments, he can usually be found relaxing with his partner and trying to keep up with the endless energy of their Cavapoo, Latte. 🌍🐶
Please join us in welcoming Leo to the department!

🎨✨The Illustration & Interactive Media Department is thrilled to welcome Marcos Chin as our newest full-time faculty mem...
05/20/2026

🎨✨The Illustration & Interactive Media Department is thrilled to welcome Marcos Chin as our newest full-time faculty member in Illustration! 🎨✨
Marcos Chin’s vibrant work tells stories across mediums — from wall art and textiles to animation, advertising, magazines, and large-scale public installations. His illustrations have been featured by globally recognized brands including Apple, Google, YouTube, Starbucks, Marvel, Universal Studios, Honda, The New York Times, and even The Sphere in Las Vegas.
His prints and textiles have also appeared at New York Fashion Week, bringing his bold visual storytelling into the world of fashion and design.
Beyond his professional practice, Marcos has taught and led workshops around the world at institutions including the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Maryland Institute College of Art, and Harbour Space in Bangkok, sharing his passion for illustration with emerging artists internationally.
When he’s not creating, Marcos enjoys writing, cooking, exercising, and exploring NYC neighborhoods with his partner and their dog, Shalby.
Please join us in welcoming Marcos to the department!

🎨✨The Illustration & Interactive Media Department is thrilled to welcome Marcos Chin as our newest full-time faculty mem...
05/20/2026

🎨✨The Illustration & Interactive Media Department is thrilled to welcome Marcos Chin as our newest full-time faculty member in Illustration! 🎨✨
Marcos Chin’s vibrant work tells stories across mediums — from wall art and textiles to animation, advertising, magazines, and large-scale public installations. His illustrations have been featured by globally recognized brands including Apple, Google, YouTube, Starbucks, Marvel, Universal Studios, Honda, The New York Times, and even The Sphere in Las Vegas.
His prints and textiles have also appeared at New York Fashion Week, bringing his bold visual storytelling into the world of fashion and design.
Beyond his professional practice, Marcos has taught and led workshops around the world at institutions including the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Maryland Institute College of Art, and Harbour Space in Bangkok, sharing his passion for illustration with emerging artists internationally.
When he’s not creating, Marcos enjoys writing, cooking, exercising, and exploring NYC neighborhoods with his partner and their dog, Shalby. 🐶🗽
Please join us in welcoming Marcos to the department!

Congratulations 🎉 to the students and alumni who were chosen to be part of the Society of Illustrators 2026 Student Sch...
05/17/2026

Congratulations 🎉 to the students and alumni who were chosen to be part of the Society of Illustrators 2026 Student Scholarship Competition! Here they are alongside IL Instructor Steven Tabbutt and IL adjunct instructor Lily Qian at the reception on Friday, May 8th at the Society of Illustrators!

📸1. $1,500 The Alan Peckolick Scholarship Award for Excellence in Illustration
Title: The Sprawl
Illustrator: Yesenia Saavedra
Procreate
Instructor: Steven Tabbutt

📸2. Title: Daydreaming
Illustrator: Maria Bazilevskaya .draws
Acrylic
Instructor: Steven Tabbutt

📸3. Title: On Their Way
Illustrator: Gian Brack
Oil on panel
Instructor: Nathaniel Gold

📸4. Title: Horses & Wolves
Illustrator: Layla Ganibegovic .spurs
Gouache
Instructor: Lily Qian

📸5. Title: Moths to a Light
Illustrator: Courtney McWilliams
Oil on wood panel
Instructor: Anastasiya Tarasenko

📸6. Title: The March
Illustrator: Nicky Tevdoradze
Procreate
Instructor: Chad Wallace

(Not featured in photos)
🖼️ 7. Title: Shishigami
Illustrator: Kalipso Zeytz
Pen and ink
Instructor: Nathaniel Gold

05/15/2026

(1/1)
Franka Pessin (she/her)
Illustration BFA

Hi! My name is Franka Pessin I am an illustrator who loves capturing Grim and fantastical stories onto paper.

During my time at FIT, I explored new materials, met amazing Professors, mentors and students. I’ve definitely grown during my time here.

My piece Rex Mortuus Est will be on display at the Graduating Students Exhibition. I hope you stop by and check out all the amazing works.
Who knows, you may even catch a murderer ...

05/15/2026

(2/2)
Join us in celebrating the incredible work of the FIT Animation & Game Design Class of 2026! 🎬🎮✨ Experience a dynamic screening showcasing the creativity, storytelling, animation, game design, and technical talent of our graduating students.

📍 FIT - Haft Auditorium
Feldman Center - West 27th Street, between 7th and 8th Ave.
📅 Tuesday, May 19
🕕 6–9 PM

05/15/2026

(1/2)
Join us in celebrating the incredible work of the FIT Animation & Game Design Class of 2026! 🎬🎮✨ Experience a dynamic screening showcasing the creativity, storytelling, animation, game design, and technical talent of our graduating students.

📍 FIT - Haft Auditorium
Feldman Center - West 27th Street, between 7th and 8th Ave.
📅 Tuesday, May 19
🕕 6–9 PM

05/14/2026

(1/1)
Leia Kouroupis (she/her)
Illustration BFA
leiakouroupis.myportfolio.com

Hi I’m Leia! I love working with soft colors and themes of memory, nostalgia and nature in my illustrations! I’m grateful for my time at FIT and for all the amazing people I met. I hope to work in book illustration, especially children’s books post grad and am excited for the journey to come!

05/13/2026

(1/2)
Grace Li (she/her) .3.1415
Illustration BFA
pigeonpi.com

Hi! I’m Grace and I love drawing characters, creating stories, and making animations. For my Calendar Cast project, I created 12 character designs based on the months of a year and animated them using aftereffects.

05/13/2026

(2/2)
Emily Johannes (she/her) .exists
katexists.portfoliobox.net

Emily, also known as Kat, is a le***an illustrator who dreams of working on pieces for tabletop roleplaying games, board games, and trading card games! She has discovered a love for making art based on storytelling at FIT and is so excited to share her artistic vision with everybody. Her portfolio can be found at katexists.portfoliobox.net.

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