We were lucky to catch up with Casey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Casey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The first time I absolutely knew I wanted to pursue a creative path when I was about ten years old, I had been given an “ICarly”-themed camera for Christmas. During that time I was very interested in Youtube and creating ongoing story plots with toys such as Webkinz and Littlest Pet Shop. Then that spiraled into writing in my notebook about a story of twin sisters who were separated by birth, but they also have magical super abilities like creating ice from thin air and flying. This story was turned into a series on Youtube (which no longer exists) and I eventually tried to sell the 10 page manuscript to Scholastic. Send them a letter and all.

But, this was truly the first step into my creative mind at a young age.

However, becoming a visual storyteller came from discovering anime and indie animation at thirteen. That’s when I knew that I wanted to pursue the creative arts as a full time career. Although the divide from live action filming to hand-drawn animation may be jarring to some, it finally felt like I was coming home to a place where I belonged.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Casey Donaldson. I’m an artist/writer based in Columbus, Ohio. Currently I am the Head Director of a non-profit project called Danganronpa: Reckless Solitude. It’s a fangame based off the Japanese murder-mystery visual novel series: “Danganronpa”.

I started with a passion for creating when I was young. Creating stories from my notebook to writing fanfiction on Deviantart, but it turned more visually when I entered middle school. Attending art school helped me shape more of my visual techniques and sharpen my writing skills. I essentially became a jack-of-all trades when attending school, but honed in toward character design around my third to fourth year of college.

Since graduating, I’ve worked in a digital design/printing shop in my hometown of Salem, Ohio before moving back to Columbus where I completed my BFA in Animation. It’s hard to move from a passion job to a regular 9 to 5 while maintaining that creative flow that you felt fulfilled with. But through meeting a talented team of artists and writers, I’m ecstatic with the work I’m bringing to Reckless Solitude.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Growing up in a small town showed its difficulties, especially when it comes to having resources to explore different mediums like animation. Compared to some of my other peers when I started art school, I felt like I lacked some of the proper education. I didn’t know a lick of animation in my freshman year while a classmate was fluent in Maya or Toonboom Harmony which made me feel like I was an outsider. However, it lit a fire under me to work harder in areas that I had no expertise in. So, I wished that I had an animation mentor to help me in High School to at least teach me more of the fundamentals before beginning art school. Or even taking more art history classes in school (both high school and college).

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To tell a story. That’s pretty much my mission in my creative journey.

Which may sound simple enough, but when you dive into the deeper picture there’s a lot you can say with a narrative. Using the theme of the Proletariat vs the Privileged in Reckless Solitude; I attempt to show a general audience what happens when you’re raised in privilege compared to those who aren’t and how your character develops from it. I tend to tackle more character eccentric topics such as sexuality, gender, black-vs-white thinking and much more. I want someone leaving my stories thinking and beginning to have a conversation with others while also keeping an audience entertained.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crytrocity/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-donaldson-6455011a1/
• Twitter: https://x.com/crytrocity

Image Credits

SukiSoyaaa, maxomchi_, jinxdoesstuff_, BEEBS_ii, adramalecho