I care about my community.
I began my adult life as a biomolecular programmer at Scripps Research. Now I’m a Character Artist and Designer based in Glendale, California who loves crafting cute monsters. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with art and science. I spent long hours at the local library, flipping through astronomy and biology books, and sketching characters that “felt right.” I even wrote and illustrated bedtime stories for my little brother, imagining that one day, like Milne or Baum, I’d create wondrous tales for children of my own. This dream lived on, even as a homeless teenager.
But life had different plans. Living with Schizophrenia has meant facing difficult decisions, including choosing not to have children of my own. Still, I keep creating—making warm, comforting designs for grown-ups who admire adorable characters, for any kids who stumble upon my work, but mainly for the children I’ll never have. Thankfully, I’ve been symptom-free for years, and it’s a privilege to pour that gratitude into my art.
Currently, I enjoy collaborating with clients for commercial projects. I also teach character design at a psychiatric group home. I care about my community.
When I say I’m a Character Designer, I mean it: I make the most appealing characters in the world ;) My process involves collaborating, designing narrative-driven concepts, writing stories, and dabbling in animation. I’ve spent years honing my style so each character looks and feels unique.
Let’s work together.
TESTIMONIALS
“Aleo Covi has been an incredible asset to Psychiatric Supportive Living. His ability to craft unique and irresistibly cute characters immediately caught my eye on Instagram, leading me to reach out and offer him a position teaching character art in our workshops. Aleo’s classes are truly worth the premium price, delivering exceptional quality and a premium service that our clients deeply appreciate. Working with Aleo has been a positive and enriching experience; his creativity and dedication inspire both our residents and staff alike. We chose Aleo over other artists because of his distinctive designs and the lovable, adorable characters he creates, which perfectly align with our mission to provide supportive and engaging environments. I highly recommend Aleo Covi to any organization looking for talented and passionate character designers.”
—Adriana Castellanos - Co-Founder, Psychiatric Supportive Living
“I highly recommend Aleo for his exceptional talent as a character artist, specializing in fantasy illustration that brings richly detailed worlds and compelling characters to life. His artwork, featured at the SWP'24 Conference at Yale University, masterfully blends creativity with personal experience, offering a unique perspective on both fantasy storytelling and schizophrenia advocacy. Through his art, Aleo not only crafts immersive narratives but also challenges stigma, using his platform to foster understanding and awareness. His ability to merge fantasy with meaningful advocacy makes him a powerful voice in both the artistic and mental health communities, making him a valuable asset to any creative or advocacy-driven initiative.”
—Cecilia McGough - Founder & Executive Director, Students With Psychosis
“I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Aleo Covi on several projects over the past few years. Aleo has contributed exceptional creativity and keen instincts in design. He has been an asset to the team. His ability to couple his artistic vision with a practical approach implementation has been invaluable to our process. Aleo was an integral member of our team during Carved. Aleo is not only a talented designer but also a reliable partner, always willing to go the extra mile to ensure project success. Not only does his professionalism shine, but his optimism has made him an indispensable part of maintaining strong cohesion among members of our team. I highly recommend Aleo to anyone looking for an exceptional character artist.”
—Zach Faraday - Studio Manager, Faraday Creators LLC