ABOUT

Adem Kaan is an illustrator, designer, and 2D animator based in Philadelphia. He works across animation, character design, and visual development, collaborating with studios, brands, and creative teams to bring characters and worlds to life. His work spans entertainment, games, and product design, with experience ranging from animated content and concept design to brand and merchandise development.

Adem is also an adjunct professor, teaching animation, illustration, and digital media at universities including UArts, MICA, Rutgers, Rowan, Drexel, and Arcadia University. His teaching focuses on foundational principles, storytelling, and helping students develop a strong visual voice.

His work is driven by character, humor, and narrative, often blending expressive design with a strong sense of motion and personality.

SELECT CLIENTS

Peak Games (Toon Blast)
Horizon Group USA
Juvenile Diabetes Care Association
NBA / T. Ross Podcast
Punch Monkey Studios

FEATURES & PRESS

2020 - Smart But Dumb Podcast - Illustration with Adem
2020 - Cartoon Network’s Intergalactic Ice Cream Concept Artist
2019 - Skate the Foundry - Giant Poster Coloring Event

Education

2019 - MS in Digital Media - Drexel University

2016 - BFA in Illustration - University of the Arts

Recognition

• William H. Ely Illustration Exhibition Awards 

• University of the Arts Faculty Choice Award 

Publications

2021 - Halloween: Artbook
TBA - The World of Stephen King
2020 - Ghostbusters: Artbook
2019 - Visions from the Upside Down: Stranger Things
TBA - The Guillermo del Toro Artbook
2017 -The Thing: Artbook

College Courses Taught

• Concept Art

• Character Design

• Visual Development for Animation

• Digital Art Studio

• Children’s Book Illustration

• Storyboarding & Animation

• Illustration with Digital Media

• Figure Drawing

• 2D Animation
  

EXHIBITIONS

2024 - Crazy 4 Cult @ Gallery 1988
2024 - ShortShort Festival #5 @ Barnhouse Collective
2024 - The Masters @ Gallery 1988
2023 - ShortShort Festival #4@ Barnhouse Collective
2022 - 90’s Art Show @ Gallery 1988
2022 - Sketch Card Show 4 @ Hero Complex Gallery
2022 - 30 Years Later (1992) @ Gallery 1988
2022 - 20 Years Later (2001) @ Gallery 1988
2022 - ShortShort Festival #3@ Barnhouse Collective
2021 - The Jeffs Show @ Hero Complex Gallery
2021 - Idiot Box @ Gallery 1988
2021 - Sketch Card Show 3 @ Hero Complex Gallery
2021 - Hip To Be Square @ Hero Complex Gallery
2021 - 15th Annual Crazy 4 Cult @ Gallery 1988
2021 - Shopping Malls @ Gallery 1988
2021 - Name That Toon @ Hero Complex Gallery
2021 - 50 Years of Willy Wonka @ Gallery 1988
2021 - 30 Years Later (1991) @ Gallery 1988
2020 - Mallrats @ Gallery 1988
2020 - Idiot Box @ Gallery 1988
2020 - 14th Annual Crazy 4 Cult @ Gallery 1988
2020 - Quest for Fun @ Gallery 1988
2020 - LA Local @ Gallery 1988
2020 - Memes 2020 @ Gallery 1988
2020 - 30 Years Later (1990) @ Gallery 1988
2019 - 13th Annual Crazy 4 Cult @ Gallery 1988
2019 - Fused Underground @ Tattooed Moms
2019 - 90’s Show @ Gallery 1988
2019 - ShortShort Festival #1 @ Barnhouse Collective
2018 - 12th Annual Crazy 4 Cult @ Gallery 1988
2018 - WWE x G1988 @ Gallery 1988
2017 - The Thing Art Show @ Creature Features