Mike Uwandi

Creative Director, 9B Collective

Michael Uwandi is an Art Director and Visual Development Artist known for crafting iconic characters and immersive worlds across film, animation, and video games. His work has shaped beloved franchises, with key contributions to Moon Knight, Supergirl, Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett, and more.

With over a decade of experience, Uwandi has collaborated with Marvel Studios, Warner Bros, ILM, Disney, CBS, Sony, and Fox, bringing visually stunning projects like The Mandalorian: Season 2, The Book of Boba Fett, Blue Beetle, Wicked, and Captain America: Brave New World to life. His designs for Moon Knight, The Mandalorian: Season 2, and Westworld earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Sci-Fi Costume Design.

In addition to his work as an Art Director and Visual Development Artist, Uwandi served as Head of Visual Development on Riftwar, an adaptation of the beloved book series The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist, overseeing the artistic vision and worldbuilding from the ground up.

Beyond his artistic career, Uwandi is a creative entrepreneur. He co-founded Bright Winter Studio, a production company that merges cutting-edge technology with storytelling to push worldbuilding to new heights. He is also the co-founder of 9B Collective, the first Black-owned concept art studio, dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusivity in entertainment.

A respected industry leader, mentor, and speaker, Uwandi has shared his expertise at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Playgrounds Festival, LightBox Expo, and Comic-Con, while also supporting creative diversity through partnerships with The BRIC Foundation and Compton Alliance.