THE ARTIST.
Stephen Campanella (b. 1999) is a graphic designer, poster and book illustrator working in art & design industry, based in New York City where he lives and creates.
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 2024. Stephen is also a visual arts educator, creating and teaching courses in drawing, painting, graphic design, photography, and animation.
PUBLICATIONS, FEATURES, AND RECENT CLIENTS
NBCUniversal / Penguin Random House / Spoke Art / MEOKCA x Poster Posse / The Museum at the Society of Illustrators / Paragon Books / Hero Complex Gallery / Layered Butter / Alternative Movie Posters / MoCCA Arts Festival (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) / Swarovski / David Yurman / Hue Magazine / Creative Quarterly / The Fashion Institute of Technology / PosterSpy / Dropcast Movie Poster Podcast / W27 Design Magazine / Tigerbelly Podcast
SELECTED AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Society of Illustrators 67 / 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 (December 2024), FIT Illustration Workshop Lecture (May 2024), FIT Illustration Thesis Lecture (April 2024), The Museum at the Society of Illustrators Spring Art Week workshops in NYC (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
Blackwing Pencils | New York | 12.2024 - Present | Brand Ambassador
MEOKCA x Poster Posse | California | 3.2024 - 6.2024 | Protégé Illustrator
The Society of Illustrators: The Museum of Illustration | New York | 9. 2019 - 3. 2022 | Gallery and Design Intern, Freelance Workshop Educator (Present)
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
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); Fieldwork Experience
White Plains City School District | White Plains, New York | 9.2024 - Present | Visual Arts Teacher (Grades K-5)
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)