Jess Jenkins
Illustration & Animation Affiliate
Jess is an illustrator foremost. But also a designer, animator, Japanophile, and mother to four rats and a cat. She is known as an Archivist of Memes, that ancient communication art. Ever since she was a child and first learned what the ‘illustrated by...’ on the front of her picture books meant, she has wanted to be an illustrator. Jess aspires to create imagery and tell stories that can inspire and spread joy and positivity.
The themes of mental health and wellness are often explored in Jess’ work. With a psychologist as a mother, friends struggling with their mental health and her own adversities, the theme is quite prevalent and important in her life. In 2016 she received a Creative Conscience award for her animation about the dangers of overlooking mental health.
Roque Lagrotta
Software Designer | Website Magician
Roque can be found in his natural environment, singing, programming, learning about new technology, and skating. Sometimes all at once. His aerodynamic body makes this an easier feat. Born to a family of writers, musicians and artists, Roque’s thinking was different and oft distracted, which made it difficult to fit in with his peers’ love for that thing called “sports”. Thus, he built a refuge made of pencils and whatever piece of leftover paper he could draw on. While in college, he had his first brush with toolkits that allowed him to fuse design, programming and digital technology to make things that really filled him with joy.
Partnering up with a friend, who was a bit of a buffoon, Roque created a short story combining animation and interactive design. This experiment was the beginning of a journey that allowed him to build up the skills and portfolio that got him into a small web design studio. Sixteen years later, and with the same passion for storytelling, Roque’s on the prowl for new ways to fuse art and tech as a way to discover new mediums to tell stories.
