PRESIDENT/FOUNDER ANDRES I. ALVAREZ
Andres Alvarez has enjoyed a truly brilliant run in Television Animation, lending his impressive creative flair as both a talented Storyboard Artist and Character Designer. His extensive portfolio includes work on some genuinely iconic and acclaimed shows, spanning exciting universes like Men In Black, the Godzilla Animated Series, Starship Troopers, and Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot. Of course, his contributions also extend to the wonderfully absurd world of SpongeBob Squarepants, cementing his legacy in both action and comedy animation.
Andres' influence extends far beyond the production studio floor. His remarkable expertise and mastery of industry-standard tools have earned him a special honor from Toon Boom Inc., who have recognized his skill by naming him their "Software Ambassador." This title highlights his deep understanding of how to bridge creative vision with technical execution. In this capacity, he often shares his knowledge with the next generation of artists, offering professional insights into best practices and actively helping to shape the very tools that keep the world of animation vibrant and progressing. He’s not just creating the shows we love; he’s mentoring the talent that will define the future of the medium.
STORYBOARD PORTFOLIO
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CHARACTER DESIGN PORTFOLIO
The History and Evolution of the Animation Design Center
In 2002, the founder, Andres, established the Animation Design Center (ADC) with a specific and local mission. The center was initially intended to provide opportunities in the South Bay of California to students who might not otherwise have access to professional animation information and skill-sets. This commitment led to the implementation of a singular class offering, which rapidly gained popularity. The curriculum quickly expanded to include courses in Character Design, Storyboarding, Background Design, and 2D Animation. However, the ADC’s reach remained regional until the widespread availability of video conferencing software, which allowed the center to offer its classes globally, reaching every continent and time zone.
The ADC's expansion to a worldwide audience transformed its mission, making the amazing art form of animation accessible to all, regardless of geographic location. With the subsequent development of pre-recorded video, self-learning options, education has become even more convenient and accessible to students. Looking ahead, as the implementation of AI continues to present challenges to artists in the traditional sense, the Animation Design Center remains dedicated to helping students realize their dreams and develop stronger, competitive portfolios for the evolving industry.