Leo Schmitt

Background Story

The Desire for Creation

Schmitt grew up in Brusque, a quiet mountain town in southern Brazil. His childhood home sat high above the valley, right beside a zoo where animals often wandered freely onto his street. While most kids learned about wildlife from picture books, Leonardo learned by watching them up close — monkeys, peacocks, turtles, snakes, anteater and toucans across the yard.

That unusual upbringing shaped him in ways he didn’t fully understand until later. He didn’t just like animals — he felt connected to them. Even as a child, he chose vegetarianism instinctively, not as a rule, but as a reflection of who he was. Animals felt honest, expressive, unfiltered — and in many ways, easier to understand than people. That quiet empathy would become the backbone of his art.

From the moment he could hold a pencil, Leonardo wasn’t simply drawing — he was observing, translating the texture of fur, the weight of silence, the personality behind every creature’s eyes. He spent hours creating worlds, characters, sculptures, mock-ups, and anything else his hands could shape. If he wasn’t drawing, he was building. If he wasn’t building, he was imagining.

As he grew older and faced the question “What am I going to do with my life?”, he explored every creative path he could find: Visual Arts, animation, art schools, digital design programs. But the answer became clear the deeper he went — the part that lit him up wasn’t the polished final product. It was the raw beginning, the messy, beautiful birth of an idea.

Professional Experience

Pathize || Designer and Illustrator

Schmitt shapes the visual identity of Pathize through illustrations, web design elements, branded decks, and video editing. He translates complex ideas into clear visuals and builds a consistent creative language that strengthens how the team communicates.

Viral Webbs || Illustrator

Created illustrations and book covers across multiple genres, adapting style and tone to match each author’s vision. Designed characters, scenes, and visual narratives that elevated storytelling.

LetterFest || Illustrator

Produced custom portraits of people and pets for gifts, celebrations, and memorials. Brought emotional depth and personality into each illustration, transforming moments into lasting keepsakes.

E-Vitrine || Social Media, Designer & Illustrator

Managed client accounts and produced branded posts, stories, and digital assets. Combined design and strategy to create engaging visual content aligned with each brand’s identity.

Freelance || Illustrator & Designer

Developed characters, tattoos, logos, and conceptual artwork for diverse clients. Built a versatile style and the ability to deliver creative solutions across multiple mediums.

Education

• B.S. Animation Design, Senac São Paulo, Brazil

• Foundation, EBAC São Paulo, Brazil