Jessica Rowden

Jessica Rowden is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Entertainment Arts at the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, where she teaches 2D animation with a focus on hand-drawn techniques. She earned her BFA from the same institution and remains actively engaged in both education and professional animation practice.

Research and Creative Interests: Jessica specializes in traditional cel and hand-drawn animation, with extensive experience in bringing complex visual designs to life for commercial applications. Her work bridges artistic craftsmanship with modern digital tools, emphasizing character expression, motion fluidity, and narrative clarity in animated sequences.

While her professional output is practice-based rather than publication-driven, her teaching and industry work reflect deep engagement with animation as both an art form and a commercial medium. She continues to contribute to the animation field through freelance projects and mentorship.

Professional Affiliations and Experience:

• Adjunct Faculty, Entertainment Arts, College for Creative Studies (2022–present)
• Freelance 2D Animator (2019–present), clients include: Glen Keane Productions, Eat Rice, Zendesk, IAMSTATIC, Kingdom of Something, Ninakami
• Senior 2D Animator, First Fight Studios (2016–2019)
• Junior 2D Animator, First Fight Studios (2015–2016)

Education:

• BFA, College for Creative Studies

Advising and Grants: There is no public information available about graduate students advised or research grants received. Given her role in a practice-based arts program, her mentorship likely occurs through project-based instruction and studio supervision.

Labs and Creative Teams: Jessica collaborates with various independent and commercial animation studios globally. While not affiliated with a formal research lab, she participates in creative teams such as those at Glen Keane Productions and IAMSTATIC, contributing to high-profile animated content.