“I was able to really hit the ground running by being comfortable with experimenting in mediums like animation and stop motion,” Leong Alvarado shared. “The ability to adapt to the unknown while trying new things is a skillset that has been hugely helpful throughout my career.”

Leong Alvarado eventually became an Art Director at MTV and then went on to a variety of innovative roles in the entertainment industry. From designing commercial sets to branding for the Oprah Winfrey Network, she has had a front row seat to the changing visual landscape for broadcast networks.

Leong Alvarado’s most recent role as Vice President for Branding, Design and Creative Services at Disney Entertainment oversees the creative strategy for television series on ABC that also stream on Hulu. Her team does everything from designing posters (key art), social media advertisements, billboards, and more for shows like The Bachelor, American Idol, and 911. Her team’s work can also be found in Disney Parks and on Disney Cruises. Her position also allows her to work across Disney, Freeform, FX, Hulu, and National Geographic to help guide Disney Entertainments’ overarching umbrella branding and design.

Bringing designs to life has been both challenging and rewarding for Leong Alvarado. Learning how to read a room and give and receive feedback, a foundational skill learned during her time at MassArt, has enabled her to execute design campaigns at the highest levels. 

With the entertainment industry constantly evolving, her advice for students is simple: “don’t be afraid to explore because your path can lead you to unexpected places.”