Meet Mikel Wellington | CG Character Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mikel Wellington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mikel, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic career because it was like having a superpower for me. The ability to impact someone’s thoughts, feelings, and expressions based on the art I created seemed very intriguing. Videogames were essential in my life, and having the chance to marry my love for gaming and art into a singular career path felt like all of these different passions merged into one. The idea of being able to do that professionally through the art I create seemed like the ultimate career path, especially once I realized it was something one could pursue.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is and always has been a collaborative effort. In CG Character Design/Modeling, my primary job is to translate with accuracy and artistic flare a design that initially starts as a flat drawing and turns into a 3D sculpture used in Film, Television, or Videogames. I’m the person who creates that 3D Character you see on screen or play within an interactive world. The path for me wasn’t easy. I thought I would be a professional gamer many times because of my love for gaming. I competed in Major League Gaming Circuit between 2003-2007, traveling across the United States to play Halo. I honestly thought that would be my path. Then, I met with the Art Director of Halo, who changed my life forever from one conversation. When I realized art was a career one could even pursue, I dove into it head first to discover what that path could look like for me. I’m most proud of a project I worked on set to release in 2023 called My Dad The Bounty Hunter. DAD was my second project working at Netflix Animation Studios and my first animated television show. It featured more characters of color than I had ever seen in my life, primarily because the team’s identity was so diverse and loving. To this day, it was the best team I’ve ever had. Everyone there spoke creatively with love and passion, and how they cared for the story and poured into the development made that project special for me. It’s not often when, from top to bottom that everyone on the show realizes that we have an opportunity to make a substantial change in this industry with the way we convey this story and these characters. It was incredibly impactful for myself and the team, and I’m exceptionally fortunate to have had that opportunity.

There will be challenges and pitfalls in anything worth pursuing. But it’s so critical that you don’t see this as a setback to your journey. These are just obstacles one must jump on the road to crossing the finish line. I can recall many moments in my life and career where I wanted to stop and quit, but I was encouraged by people who saw that potential and never allowed me to. Instead, they would motivate me with their words and their actions. It made me feel like nothing is personal and that all of it is just a part of life. The more we were willing to pour into ourselves, the better we would eventually be. Remember, anything you want in this life is just a hand-grab away. Set the intent for what you wish, follow it with actions, believe it will happen, and repeat that cycle until it’s your reality. I didn’t have an easy path, but most people don’t. So take the time, enjoy the journey, and you will have the success you seek.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Considering I live in Los Angeles, one of the things I like about this city is its architecture. It’s so different from house to house that it makes for an exciting adventure. I would start with Frank Lloyd Wright and his influences in this area. Next, I would recommend driving trips throughout the different cities within Los Angeles county because every place is uniquely different. Silverlake and Highland Park’s calm, relaxing vibes are very different from the laid-back nature of Malibu or the spectacle that is Hollywood. Next, we would set up a few tours around the television lots within Burbank to see how Warner Brothers and many other studios make the shows and films that we love. The Griffith Observatory gives terrific views of Los Angeles and has a history associated with it, specifically in animation. For example, in the movie Who Framed Rodger Rabbit, the scene where Eddie Valiant was driving through the tunnel leading to Toontown; was shot at the Griffith Observatory. I love food, so I’d show my guests all of my favorite food spots, like Cos&Pi for brunch and Melrose Ramen for late-night Ramen fixings! The food tour would finish with an elegant and unforgettable dining experience at 71 Above or Yamashiro Hollywood. Two of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles, the food is terrific, and the service is stellar. Next, I feel like a trip to Santa Monica/ Venice Beach is a must, and you have to drive up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) for some fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean. I would most likely end the trip with a visit to Disneyland. It’s cool to see Walt Disney’s original vision for his theme park and how it changed an entire industry and culture. It’s fascinating to me to see that influence on generations of people. Welcome to LA!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My life has been an endless sea of successes fueled by people who believe in me. I’ve had many mentors who poured into me when they didn’t have to. My first introduction to the world of video games/animation as a career was from the original Art Director of Halo, Marcus Lehto. One day at a conference, he decided to inform me that I didn’t have to play video games but that I could make video games. The time he spent speaking with me, which may have seemed like a fraction of a moment, was life-changing for me. My former professor Brent Alleyne constantly reminded me that competition would forever be a part of the artist’s journey, so get used to it and embrace it with grace and humility as we are forever students of this artistic craft. One of my first mentors, Manny Fragelus, constantly pushed me to let me know my dreams are more extensive than Washington DC. If I wanted to make it in this career as a professional artist, all I had to do was believe in myself and put in the work to achieve my goals one step at a time. Everett Downing gave me an opportunity when nobody else believed in me. He allowed me to work closely with him while he showed me the ropes of the animation industry, which led me to some of my most significant opportunities to this day in my career. Danny Williams showed me that there is always room for improvement and learning, even as a veteran. He is an artist with a capital “A” and someone I try to model myself closely after. His humility, kindness, and love for art are exceeded only by just how amazing a human he is, and for that friendship/mentorship, I’m incredibly grateful. My mother and father, Mary Wellington and Michael Burke, always supported me throughout every class, every drawing, and every desire to be the best version of myself. Their love never wavered and, like pillars, would always support the pursuit of my dreams. Myisha, the love of my life who has always been there for me. Many sleepless nights, self-doubt, and all of the struggles one can face on the road to their purpose. Anything is possible when you have someone like that to support you, love you, believe in you through their words and actions, and care for your dreams as if they were their own. She has shown me that setting intent for the things we want in this life, followed by the action and the belief that it can happen, yields a reality that sometimes couldn’t be in our wildest dreams. Her strength, love, and empathy are tangible, and I’m grateful daily to know that someone like her is in my corner.

Website: www.mikelwellington.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikel.wellington/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menty/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikelWellington