From eerie animations to haunting illustrations, these five SVA student artists are bringing the spirit of Halloween to life across their feeds.
Spooky season has arrived, and with it, an extra spark of creativity across the SVA community. From eerie character designs to spectral animations and hauntingly beautiful illustrations, the work by these student artists is channeling October’s ghostly energy in new and unexpected ways. If you’re looking to fill your feed with a little more mystery, magic, and Halloween spirit, these five accounts deliver the perfect seasonal inspiration.
1. Caitlin Martin (Student, BFA Illustration)
Equal parts whimsical and weird, the work by illustrator Caitlin Martin turns monstrous imagination into vibrant illustration. Her feed is a lively aquarium of strange, shape-shifting creatures—fish with fangs, hybrids with hearts and characters that blur the line between adorable and unsettling. Each piece feels like a trick and a treat, ideally suited to the Halloween spirit. Follow her at @chaotic.fish.
2. Zhiyi “Cindy” You (Student, BFA Illustration)
An illustrator and tattoo artist, Zhiyi “Cindy” You combines painting techniques and digital drawing to create a visual vocabulary rooted in her Chinese heritage. Her work frequently explores the experiences of women, shedding light on the hidden, often unspoken emotions that emerge in daily life. Each piece balances delicacy and strength, revealing stories that feel both personal and universal. Follow her at @zyuyou_art.
3. Natalie Frank (Student, BFA Animation)
Soft, expressive and full of charm, Natalie Frank’s animated illustrations capture the lighter side of spooky season. Her characters—rounded, colorful, and full of personality—move with warmth and humor, blending gentle comedy with visual wit. Each short feels like a tiny story about curiosity and friendship, brought to life through Frank’s inviting, hand-drawn style. Follow her at @1percentcharge.
4. Bea Avery (Student, BFA Illustration)
An illustrator, designer, and craftsperson, Bea Avery’s work spans digital art, graphic design, and product design, and has been featured in group exhibitions such as FestArt and in publications including The Delaware Division of the Arts. Her illustrations transform folklore and fantasy with exquisite detail—figures emerging from floral patterns, eyes blooming from petals, and creatures that feel mythic, macabre and mesmerizing. The result is work that captures the quiet magic and mystery of October. Follow her at @ziratuna.
5. Erim “Xolo” Cetinel (Student, BFA Animation)
A 2D animator from Istanbul now studying animation at SVA, Erim Cetinel was recognized as a Rookie of the Year Finalist in 2025 and is known for his “Axolotl Clock” animation and distinctive “ghost outfit” style. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of animation and French comics, he fuses his love of bugs, amphibians, paleontology, and classic cartoons into inventive, character-driven storytelling. His work celebrates the playful and the strange, bringing curiosity and humor to life in every frame. Follow him at @xolotal.