Jess Lanzillo
About Jess Lanzillo
Jess Lanzillo serves as the Vice President of Creative for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast, a position he has held since 2021. He has extensive experience in creative roles across various companies, including previous positions at KOMPAN A/S, Publicis Seattle, and Havas Worldwide.
Current Role at Wizards of the Coast
Jess Lanzillo serves as the Vice President of Creative for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. In this role, which began in 2021, Lanzillo is responsible for overseeing the creative direction and development of the iconic trading card game. This position builds on a series of roles at Wizards of the Coast, where Lanzillo has contributed to the evolution of the brand and its products.
Previous Experience in Creative Direction
Prior to the current role, Jess Lanzillo held several positions at Wizards of the Coast, including Senior Creative Director and Creative Director. From 2018 to 2021, Lanzillo directed creative initiatives that shaped the visual and thematic elements of Magic: The Gathering. Earlier, Lanzillo worked as Worldbuilding Design Manager in Magic R&D, contributing to the game's expansive lore and universe.
Professional Background in Production and Design
Jess Lanzillo has a diverse background in production and design. Lanzillo worked at Publicis Seattle as Director of Production from 2015 to 2017, managing production processes for various campaigns. Prior to that, Lanzillo served as Art Director/Production Coordinator at KOMPAN A/S from 1998 to 2001, where responsibilities included overseeing art direction and coordinating production efforts.
Educational Background
Jess Lanzillo studied at The Evergreen State College from 1998 to 2001, where foundational skills in design and production were developed. Additionally, Lanzillo attended Beloit College, furthering education in relevant fields that support a career in creative direction and production.
Experience in the Creative Industry
Lanzillo's career spans various roles in the creative industry, including positions at Havas Worldwide as Studio Lead/Senior Digital Artist and at The Breakers as Art Director. These roles contributed to a comprehensive understanding of design principles and production workflows, enhancing skills that are applied in current responsibilities at Wizards of the Coast.