About
Ronald McKinney is a creative director, visual storyteller, and founder of Studio BLESS, working at the intersection of illustration, animation, and narrative world building.
His work focuses on developing cinematic, story-driven projects that blend visual development, character design, and long-form storytelling across multiple mediums.
He is the creator of Ascension After, an original anime-inspired IP exploring faith, prophecy, and spiritual conflict through animation, manga, and visual storytelling systems.
BACKGROUND
He earned his BFA in Fine Arts from Louisiana Tech University School of Design (2022), with a concentration in illustration.
His foundation in traditional drawing, composition, and visual development continues to inform his approach to cinematic storytelling and design-driven narrative work.
WORK & PRACTICE
Ronald’s work spans illustration, concept design, and brand development, with a strong emphasis on storytelling through light, atmosphere, and composition.
He has developed both independent creative projects and educational experiences through teaching and public presentation, including exhibitions and academic conferences focused on visual communication and interdisciplinary creativity.
CURRENT FOCUS
He currently leads Studio BLESS, an independent creative studio focused on developing original intellectual properties across animation, manga, and digital storytelling.
His ongoing work explores how visual narratives can be used to build meaningful, long-form creative worlds.
STYLE & INFLUENCE
His visual style is influenced by a blend of both Eastern and Western illustration traditions, combining cinematic lighting, graphic storytelling, and animation-driven composition.
This includes influences from manga and anime as well as Western concept art and illustration, with a focus on clarity, mood, and narrative impact through visual design.
WORK WITH ME
I’m currently open to creative collaborations, freelance opportunities, and project-based work in creative direction, visual development, and storytelling-driven design.
If you’re interested in working together, please share a few details below.