Hello! My name is Kyle/Kyla Robateau (They/He/She), and I am currently residing in Chicago, Illinois. Many know me as "Bug" within various online spaces. I'm a comic artist, merchandise creator, illustrator, and animator with a passion for exploring the natural world, queerness, oppression, and the complexities of relationships throughout my work. I create autobiographical works, fan content, and am the creator of the original comic series "Mae and the Kingdoms of Seasons." I also run the small business "The BugMangaka," which is where I sell products such as my printed comics, stickers, button pins, and more.…

TheBugMangaka

Hello! My name is Kyle/Kyla Robateau (They/He/She), and I am currently residing in Chicago, Illinois. Many know me as "Bug" within various online spaces. I'm a comic artist, merchandise creator, illustrator, and animator with a passion for exploring the natural world, queerness, oppression, and the complexities of relationships throughout my work. I create autobiographical works, fan content, and am the creator of the original comic series "Mae and the Kingdoms of Seasons." I also run the small business "The BugMangaka," which is where I sell products such as my printed comics, stickers, button pins, and more.…

Available to hire

Hello! My name is Kyle/Kyla Robateau (They/He/She), and I am currently residing in Chicago, Illinois. Many know me as “Bug” within various online spaces. I’m a comic artist, merchandise creator, illustrator, and animator with a passion for exploring the natural world, queerness, oppression, and the complexities of relationships throughout my work. I create autobiographical works, fan content, and am the creator of the original comic series “Mae and the Kingdoms of Seasons.” I also run the small business “The BugMangaka,” which is where I sell products such as my printed comics, stickers, button pins, and more.

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Skills

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Experience Level

Adobe After Effects
Expert
Adobe Premiere Pro
Expert
Audacity
Expert
Clip Studio Paint
Expert
Salesforce
Expert
Adobe InDesign
Expert
Adobe Photoshop
Intermediate

Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Education

Bachelor in Fine Arts at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
August 26, 2021 - May 14, 2025
Focus on Comics and Illustration
Independent Study with Sara Varon at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
January 1, 2023 - May 14, 2023
Worked under the mentorship of Sara Varon, the creator of "Robot Dreams," to write and thumbnail a long-format 66-page comic
Comics at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
August 26, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Utilized panel layout, typography, and contrast to convey a narrative Completed, printed, and bound several printed copies of a 16-page comic over a short period of time Formatted and printed risograph illustrations
Beginning Screenwriting at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
August 26, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Developed narrative space and narrative structure to write compelling stories Wrote and properly formatted a 12-page screenplay
Animation I: Drawing for Animation at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
May 14, 2022 - August 26, 2022
Studied the twelve animation principles to produce dynamic and appealing animations Animated with traditional media and lightbox

Qualifications

Owner of The BugMangaka
June 26, 2023 - July 1, 2024
Manages small business by communicating with customers to sell products both in-person and online Designs and manufactures products such as stickers, button pins, art prints, and zines Manages finances and shipping both domestically and internationally
Sticker Manufacturing
February 1, 2023 - July 1, 2024
Prepares, prints, and cuts stickers for other small businesses Provides input on sticker designs
Freelance Seamstress
July 1, 2022 - July 1, 2024
Repairs textiles and clothing with both hand and machine sewing Embroiders textiles with custom machine embroidery Repairs and restuffs plush objects
Volunteer Art Teacher
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Worked with children ages six to twelve Created lesson plans to teach fundamental art skills
Private Tutoring
January 1, 2023 - July 1, 2024
Teaches individuals how to become proficient in art and editing programs
Freelance Illustrator
January 1, 2021 - July 1, 2024
Creates custom illustrations for clients in mediums ranging from traditional to digital Designs and manufactures personalized greeting cards for clients

Industry Experience

Other, Computers & Electronics, Media & Entertainment
    uniE621 Mew and Mewtwo Cover
    3/5/24, Digital Comic cover illustration themed after "Pokemon: The Movie" created for college coursework illustrator…
    uniE621 The Tale of Queen Freesia (cover)
    5/8/23, Digital Comic cover illustration for the comic "The Tale of Queen Freesia" illustrator…
    uniE621 So, You Want to be a Maid? (page 3)
    7/8/22, Ink, Digital Screentones, 5 x 7.5 in Page 3 of "So, You Want to be a Maid?" as featured in the zine "Mae and Friends" illustrator…
    uniE621 So, You Want to be a Maid? (page 5)
    7/8/22, Ink, Digital Screentones, 5 x 7.5 in Page 5 from the comic "So, You Want to be a Maid?" illustrator…
    uniE621 I Gotta Believe!
    12/15/23, Digital Illustrated poster themed after the video game "Parappa the Rapper" illustrator…
    uniE621 Runaways (page 6)
    12/17/22, Digital, Digital Screentones, 6 x 9 in Page 6 from the comic "Runaways" illustrator…
    uniE621 Runaways Process (page 11)
    12/17/22, Graphite, Digital, Digital Screentones, 6 x 9 in A timelapse of the steps taken to create a comic page from the comic "Runaways" illustrator…
    uniE621 Kingdoms of Seasons Designs (group 21)
    4/26/22, Digital Various character designs created for the comic series "Mae and the Kingdoms of Seasons" illustrator…
    uniE621 Couples Counseling Explosion
    2/28/24, Digital A comic cover for "South Park: The Fractured But Whole" created as college coursework illustrator…
    uniE621 Main Characters Website Icon
    1/23/22, Digital Created for the "Mae and the Kingdoms of Seasons" comic website illustrator…