Character Designer · Storyteller · Musician
Louis Henry Mitchell
Louis Henry Mitchell serves as the Creative Director of Character Design at Sesame Workshop, overseeing a wide range of character art responsibilities for the iconic Sesame Street. Mitchell's expertise extends to various projects, including designing elaborate Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons and floats, as well as directing captivating Sesame Street Muppet photo shoots. Joining Sesame Workshop in a full-time capacity in 2020, Mitchell had previously lent his talents to the organization as a freelancer since 1992.
One of Mitchell's notable achievements includes the creation of Julia, the pioneering Sesame Street character representing individuals on the autism spectrum. Initially introduced as an illustrated character for an autism outreach book, Mitchell's vision expanded as he collaborated with the Jim Henson Company to bring Julia and her family to life as Muppets for the show. In addition to his role as the exclusive Sesame Street Muppet designer, Mitchell recently unveiled two new African-American Muppets, Wesley and his Muppet father, Elijah, as part of Sesame Workshop's Racial Justice initiative. He also contributed Ji-Young to the “Coming Together” project aimed at addressing anti-Asian violence.
Prior to his impactful work at Sesame Workshop, Mitchell embarked on his artistic journey at the age of 17 under the mentorship of Neal Adams, a renowned figure in the comic book and sequential art world. Mitchell's career encompasses diverse activities such as illustrating children’s books, designing characters and toys, and participating in international teaching and speaking engagements. An active member of The Norman Rockwell Museum's Board of Trustees, Mitchell showcases a versatile skill set encompassing drawing, painting, and sculpting, along with expertise in art direction utilizing both traditional and digital mediums.
Educated at The School of Visual Arts and The Art Students League, Mitchell currently resides in Rego Park, Queens.
