COMING SOON
Hello! My name is Tessa Newsome and I’m very happy you’ve decided to look through my work!
Creative Director, Illustrator, and Game Designer
I worked professionally for 10 years as an illustrator before attending the Columbus College of Art and Design in 2021. I earned my Game Art and Design Bachelor's Degree in 2024 and now design for both tabletop and video games.
My work focuses strongly on emotional storytelling. Themes of navigation, confusion, and acceptance appear throughout my projects.
I also work as a private art teacher for students ranging in age from 8 to 40. I help them learn efficiently and nurture their creative direction. Each student receives a customized curriculum based on their personal journey.
I am highly motivated and inspired by the amazing artwork and stories that have emerged from indie creators over the past decade. Shows, movies, anime, and games with unique art styles and strong narratives fuel my creative drive. Some of my biggest inspirations include Gris, Night in the Woods, The Beginner's Guide, and The Cat Lady.
My goal is to create many narrative- and art-driven games that inspire, connect, and create community for those who need it most.
If you have any commission questions or business inquiries, please reach out via email:
Newsome.Tessa@gmail.com
2019: Kalalla Opens Online Storefront
2019: Debuts D.A.T.
Jan 2020: Monster Concept Artist for Cancelled Project
Feb–Mar 2020: Participated in Treat Yourself Zine
Nov 2020: Participated in Spyro: Year of the Dragon Collab
Started as Director for Agents of the Nerdy Podcast
Dec 2020: Started Streaming as a Vtuber
Feb 2021: "Eye Love You" (First Clothing) Collection Released
June 2021: Leveled Stream Up and Became Affiliate
Aug 20, 2021: Debuted Kalalla into the Vtuber Community
Aug 2021: Started at Columbus College of Art and Design (Game Art and Design Degree)
Oct 15, 2021: Participated in first 24 hr Animation Jam (Team Squid Squad) → Click Here for Animation
Nov 4–14, 2021: Hosted first Annual Lalavember Creator Con
Jan 2022: DAT Rebranding
Mar 30–Apr 4, 2022: First Gallery Exhibit (Assembled Identities, Byer Gallery, Columbus OH) Featuring: "Songs of Crossroads" → Click Here for Website
May 13, 2022: Exhibited in Chroma (CCAD End of Year Festival)
May 27–29, 2022: First Con (FanBoy Expo, Columbus OH)
Sep 30, 2022: Agents of Geekdom Network Debuts (Becomes Manager)
Jan 4, 2023: Game Internship for Freestyle Komics
August, 2023: Started Mentoring "G"
May 10, 2024: CCAD Chroma Festival
Released Ramen Rivals the board game
Released The Fool
August, 2024: Began Teaching "Y" student
January 2025: Main Developer on Powerless Visual Novels
Jan–Apr 2025: Social Media Manager for Shonen Flop
April 2025: Began Teaching "B and A" students
Vtuber Contact: VTKalalla@gmail.com
Commission Contact: newsome.tessa@gmail.com
Contact me at any time!
Art Director
Illustrator | Product Designer | Graphic Designer
Photoshoot Director | Stylist | Photo Editor
Animator | Video Editor
Accountant
Writer
Web Designer | Programmer
Brand Manager | Marketing Director
Team Manager | Executive Administrator | Founder
November 2020 | Started as Director of Agents of Nerdy (later became Agents of Geekdom)
Accountant
Brand Manager | Marketing Director
Team Manager | Executive Administrator
Video Editor
Recruiter
Social Media Manager | Consultant | SEO Research
Create Curriculum/Lessons per Student | Offer Guidance & Critique on Personal Projects | Mentorship
November 2020 | Freestyle Komics Media Department
Marketing | Social Media Advisor
Sales Crew | Retail
Build/Move Crew
Assistant | Secretary
January 4, 2023 – 2024 | Freestyle Komics Game Department
Game Designer
Social Media Assistant
Feb–Mar 2020 | Participated in Treat Yourself Zine
Nov 2020 | Participated in Spyro: Year of the Dragon Collab
Oct 15, 2021 | Participated in 24hr Animation Jam (Team Squid Squad) → Click Here for Animation
Mar 30–Apr 4, 2022 | First Gallery Exhibit (Assembled Identities, Byer Gallery, Columbus OH) Featuring: “Songs of Crossroads” → Click Here for Website
May 13, 2022 | Exhibited in Chroma (CCAD End of Year Festival)
Apr–May 2023 | Collaborated in Fate Fray Zine at CCAD
2023 | Editor on Hospice: Concussion (Kickstarted Oct 2023)
Oct 2023 | Game Creators Guild Drawtober Game Jam: Casino Night
Aug 2023–May 2024 | Game Designer for Ramen Rivals with Whitney Do
Aug 2023–May 2024 | Lead Artist, Writer, Designer, and Programmer for The Fool
June 2018: Associates in Accounting from Northwest State Community College
June 2021: Became Affiliate on Twitch
December 2024: Bachelor of Arts in Game Art and Design (Minor in Animation) from Columbus College of Art and Design
