About the Artist.
About the Artist.
Stephen Campanella (b. 1999) is an illustrator & graphic designer based in New York City where he lives and creates. He is currently represented by Artistique International.
A graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as design studies at Polimoda in Florence, Italy, his interests in film, music, and pop culture spread widely across his body of work.
His knowledge in various areas of design have allowed him to work with reputable companies such as The Museum at the Society of Illustrators, The Lego Group, as well as Studio MinaLima - the graphic design team behind the Harry Potter film franchise. Working in art marketing, gallery and exhibition curation, and advertising through design have allowed Stephen to gain the experience necessary to illustrate as a freelancer.
Stephen’s true passions lie in his alternative poster design work. His skills in traditional materials (graphite, ink, etc.) are incorporated with the latest digital media techniques to create modern posters with a classic illustrated style. Adorned with realistic portraiture and bold typography, his posters have been featured through galleries, art exhibitions, and multiple online platforms, being sold internationally for editorial use as well as private clients. He is a brand ambassador for Blackwing Pencils, which he uses to create all of his original graphite illustrations.
Currently, he is writing and illustrating his first book, to be completed in 2025. Stephen is also a visual arts educator, creating and teaching courses in drawing, painting, graphic design, photography, and animation.
For more work, follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Clients & Publications
NBCUniversal / Penguin Random House / Spoke Art / American Illustration / MEOKCA x Poster Posse / The Museum at the Society of Illustrators / Paragon Books / Swarovski / David Yurman / New York Comic Con / Hero Complex Gallery / Layered Butter / Communication Arts / Alternative Movie Posters / MoCCA Arts Festival (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) / Hue Magazine / Creative Quarterly / The Fashion Institute of Technology / PosterSpy / Dropcast Movie Poster Podcast / W27 Design Magazine / Tigerbelly Podcast / Rockland Center for the Arts
Selected Awards & Recognition
American Illustration 44 / Society of Illustrators 67 / Communication Arts 2025 / Creative Quarterly 73 / Creative Quarterly 71 / Creative Quarterly 70 / Creative Quarterly 63 / Creative Quarterly 62 / The Fashion Institute of Technology / PosterSpy / Alternative Movie Posters
Speaking & Workshops
FIT Illustration Workshop Lecture (April 2025) / The Museum at the Society of Illustrators Spring Art Week (April 2025) / FIT Illustration Workshop Lecture (December 2024) / FIT Illustration Workshop Lecture (May 2024) / FIT Illustration Thesis Lecture (April 2024) / The Museum at the Society of Illustrators Spring Art Week (April 2024) / FIT School of Art & Design Poster Design Lecture (March 2023) / Clarkstown High School North Illustration Career Day Lecture (March 2023)
Design Experience
Stephen Campanella Art | New York | 1. 2018 - Present | Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Creative Director
The Society of Illustrators: The Museum of Illustration | New York | 9. 2019 - Present | Gallery and Design Intern, Freelance Workshop Educator, MoCCA Arts Festival Illustrator & Exhibitor
Blackwing Pencils | New York | 12.2024 - Present | Brand Ambassador
MEOKCA x Poster Posse | California | 3.2024 - 6.2024 | Protégé Illustrator
W27 Magazine | New York | 8. 2021 - 6. 2022 | Head of Illustration / Art Director
House of MinaLima (in collaboration with WarnerMedia) | New York | 4. 2021 - 8. 2021 | Gallery and Design Assistant (Opening Season)
Teaching
Clarkstown Central School District | West Nyack, New York | 9. 2022 - 9. 2024 | Visual Arts Teacher (Grades 9-12) Painting & Drawing, Studio Art, Photography, Animation); Set Designer for Spring Productions
Rockland Center for the Arts | West Nyack, New York | 6. 2019 - Present | Visual Arts Teacher (Grades K - 12 Painting & Drawing, Portfolio Development)
Education
The Fashion Institute of Technology | New York, NY | Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (2022) / Associate in Applied Sciences (2020) - Major: Illustration / Minors: Film & Media Studies, Art History
Polimoda | Florence, Italy | Design Studies (2022) - Focus: Illustration
STAC | Sparkill, NY | Master of Science in Teaching (2023) - Visual Arts Education (K-12)
Certifications
New York State DOE | New York | Visual Arts Education Content Specialty (2023); Educating All Students (2023)
The Museum of Modern Art | New York, NY | Teaching with Art: Using Inquiry, Activities, and Themes Specialization (2025); Modern and Contemporary Art and Design Specialization (2025)
American Museum of Natural History | New York, NY | Dinosaurs: Evolution, Extinction, and Paleobiology (2025)
Adobe | New York, NY | Content Creator Specialization (2025); Graphic Designer Professional Certification (2025)