Mark Todd

Mark Todd is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Illustration at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. A celebrated illustrator and author, he has collaborated with prestigious clients such as The New Yorker, Sony Music, Rolling Stone, and Cartoon Network. His work bridges commercial art, education, and creative storytelling.

Education: Graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design in 1993. Career highlights include a five-year stint in New York working with MTV, Coca-Cola, and The MTA, followed by a return to Southern California to co-found Yosemite Studios with his wife, Esther Pearl Watson. He has also authored Whatcha’ Mean, What’s A Zine?, a guide to self-publishing comics.

Research interests focus on reimagining classic comic art through mixed media, blending nostalgia with post-modern sensibilities. His process involves spray paint, cel-vinyl, and varnishes to reinterpret iconic covers from series like Fantastic Four and X-Men. He emphasizes visual storytelling as a tool for clarity and engagement, often advising students on balancing artistic creativity with academic writing needs.

Labs/Teams: Co-founder of Yosemite Studios, a collective fostering collaborative creativity. Active in mentoring next-generation artists through his teaching and publishing efforts.