Faculty

A man wearing a suit and tie faces the camera with a neutral expression, against a plain background.

Nicolás Villarreal

Executive Director of Visual Development, 2D Animation and Art Direction / Schools of Visual Development and Animation & Visual Effects

Villarreal graduated with honors from the Master’s program at Academy of Art University in 2002. He has worked as a traditional animator, character designer, sculptor, and Visual Development artist for film and video game companies, including Walt Disney Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment, Jim Henson Studios, Sega, Digital Domain, Reel FX, and Amazon Studios.

He has given presentations and screened his films at Pixar Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Blue Sky Studios, the Sydney Opera House and several universities in South America and Europe.

Nicolás Villarreal's Work

A small house with antennas emits light, sitting on a cliff. Two figures in spacesuits stand at the edge, gazing at a large, glowing moon against a starry sky.

Nicolás Villarreal

A small black-and-white figure appears to be sitting or crouching, surrounded by a vast, foggy, and minimalistic landscape, next to a large, blurred shadowy form.

Nicolás Villarreal

A cartoon character stands against a colorful, abstract background. Text reads: “Red Clover,” “Nieta,” “a film by Nicolas P. Villarreal.” Achievements include Cannes (2014), TIFF winner (2015), and several festival selections.

Nicolás Villarreal

A man in vintage attire, smoking a pipe and smiling confidently, stands hands-on-hips beside a small mouse. Text reads: "Young Walt." A signature, "Nicoles," is present.

Nicolás Villarreal

Ninjas are in dynamic action poses with staffs or swords, wearing distinct, varied costumes. A small silhouette strip below illustrates possible movements. Text includes "THE NINJAS" and notes around characters.

Nicolás Villarreal

A graphite portrait drawing depicts a woman gazing to the side, with a pendant necklace visible. A smaller sketch of her face is in the top right. Signed "Steve Lai '09" in the bottom corner.

Nicolás Villarreal

A painted portrait shows a man with a serious expression wearing a large, purple bowtie, set against a textured, brown and blue background. Text: “www.nicolarts.blogspot.com.”

Nicolás Villarreal

A bearded man with a serious expression appears in a digital painting, wearing an orange and dark garment against a dark background. Text: "nicofars.blogspot.com" and a signature at the bottom.

Nicolás Villarreal

Abstract geometric figure with stylized facial features is centered against a black background. Surrounding it are numerous film festival laurels. Text: "GUINNESS WORLD RECORD 1125 MOST AWARDS WON BY A SHORT FILM on / off Nicolás P. Villarreal."

Nicolás Villarreal

Our Faculty

Christopher Carman

Associate Director School of Visual Development

Part-Time Faculty

Faculty Member	Educational Background
Ryan Andrade	Bachelor of Fine Arts, Academy of Art University (San Francisco, California, Visual Development)
Vincenzo Barkasy	Bachelor of Fine Arts, Academy of Art University (San Francisco, California, Visual Development)
Thomas Denmark	Bachelor of Fine Arts, Academy of Art University (San Francisco, California, Illustration)
Steve Galgas	Bachelor of Fine Arts, Columbus College of Art & Design (Columbus, Ohio, Media Studies Time-Based)
Michael Judge	Bachelor of Arts, San Francisco State University (San Francisco, California, Cinema)
Jeremy Saliba	Bachelor of Fine Arts, Academy of Art University (San Francisco, California, Illustration)
Alessandro Squitti	Master of Fine Arts, Sapienza - Universita di Roma (Roma, Italy, Italian Language & Literature)
Carlos Vazquez Santiago	Master of Fine Arts, Academy of Art University (San Francisco, California, Visual Development)