USV Faculty

Christopher Kelly is a Digital Art & Animation Adjunct Professor at the University of Silicon Valley and a veteran animator and artist with decades of experience in the visual arts industry. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York City, he began his career in the mid-1980s and had the privilege of studying under industry legends such as Harvey Kurtzman, Gene Colan, and Will Eisner.

Chris has contributed his talents to a wide range of clients, including Disney Imagineering as a Storyboard and Conceptual Artist and Disney Interactive as an Animator, Writer, Producer, and Animation Director. His additional credits include work with Cartoon Network, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros, Hasbro, Walt Disney World, and musical and entertainment icons such as Hot Tuna, Rainforest Action Network, Frank Gorshin, and Woody Harrelson.

In addition to his extensive industry work, Chris founded CK Tiki Studios in 2018, a 2D animation studio specializing in hand-drawn animation with a focus on old-school artistry. He is also passionate about environmental, animal, and human rights causes, which align with his creative pursuits.

Over the past twenty years, Chris has trained and mentored aspiring artists into feature film–quality animators, illustrators, designers, and background painters, continuing his dedication to developing the next generation of creative talent.