When Athena Cooper isn’t creating professional and affordable web sites, print design or illustration for her clients, she’ll undoubtedly be telling a story, reading a story, or painting a story. As a professional digital and print illustrator with a knack for character design, Athena uses her skills to help other people tell their stories both online and offline. She is proficient in web design and development, illustration and print design, character design and Flash animation and offers these services as part of her own business, Athena Cooper Design & Web Services.

Athena’s love for design and animation began at age 12 when she began experimenting with 2D computer animation. Her interest spread to print design work, and eventually to the web; Athena designed her first web site in 1998. A Bachelor of Arts in Communications from SFU refined Athena’s natural storytelling ability, and she later enhanced her skills with a Diploma in Computer Animation from the Art Institute (AI) of Vancouver. Athena launched Keyframe: the Animation Resource in 1999 as a community for animation enthusiasts, and administrated the site for many years, keeping it updated as web technology developed and matured.

As Web Administrator and Designer for 2010 Legacies Now from 2007-2011, Athena was able to connect her professional work to social initiatives being created around the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver. She helped nurture and develop several high-profile sites related to the Games, and was honoured to be a torchbearer for the 2010 Paralympic torch run. Athena also worked as the Web Coordinator for the Four Host First Nations Pavilion during the Games. Alongside these projects, she has continued to develop a rich portfolio of freelance design and illustration work and took the leap to entrepreneurship in 2011 with the launch of Athena Cooper Design & Web Services.

Athena enjoys empowering business owners by creating quality web sites and marketing materials that help them establish a message that resonates powerfully with their audiences. The stories behind these messages truly drive the creative process that Athena undertakes with every client and inspire her to conceive something unique with each new project.

As an enthusiastic supporter of the BC SPCA and owner of a charming rescued Pomeranian/Jack Russell cross, Athena communicates the value and rewards of adopting and owning a pet. Her energetic, lovable pooch provides a welcome diversion between rounds of client work and they enjoy their daily long walks in the local park.