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Ken Nicholls Sets/Props Designer

Ken moved to the west coast with his wife, Ellen and young daughter, Leigh 10 years ago to continue his career in architectural model making. He began thiscareer 3 years prior in Toronto after studying at Ontario College of Art.

Realizing he had hit the glass ceiling in architectural model making, he began training in animation through a friend who was a successful storyboard artist. Itwas this friend’s enthusiasm for animation that inspired Ken so much. Ken’s love for architecture was a great benefit in animation as it showed through hislayouts and background designs.

In 1996, Ken was hired as the Head of the Layout department for Walt Disney Animation Canada’s Vancouver studio. While at Walt Disney, Ken supervisedthe Vancouver Layout Department for such direct to video projects as Beauty and the Beast – An Enchanted Christmas, Winnie the Pooh – A Valentine forYou and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas.

Unfortunately, the Disney studio closed its Canadian doors in 1999, but Ken saw this as an opportunity to broaden his horizons. He was hired by MainframeEntertainment as a set/prop designer for the 26 episode CGI Action Man series. During this project, he was promoted to Production Designer/Art Directorwhere he was in charge of the entire “look” for the series. After Action Man was completed, Ken became the Production Designer/Art Director for Mainframe’s
Reboot – Season 4.

As well as these full time contracts, Ken has also worked freelance designing sets for several productions including Bowes Productions – Voyage of aUnicorn, and designing sets and props for gaming companies, such as Electronic Arts. You can visit Ken’s web site at www.kennicholls.com.

Ken is a talented and diverse artist who enjoys challenges in a variety of animation mediums. He looks forward to applying his enthusiasm to many newprojects and working with a company as innovative as Bowes Productions.