Since her first year of college at University of the Arts, Ella Carter ’25 knew she wanted to share her love of animation by designing a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) for her senior thesis. After enrolling at Moore in 2024, Carter joined the Illustration program and brought her vision to life.
The result is Underfoot: An Itty-Bitty Fey RPG, in which players take on the roles of brownies, fairies, and sprite—each a species of fey—navigating towering dangers, solving problems and completing stealth missions. She developed the game with help from fellow Illustration senior Lee Tew ’25, who served as a writer, and Philadelphia artist Gideon Caro McDonald.
With the unexpected closure of UArts, Carter found support from Moore’s faculty members, who ensured that former UArts students had the resources they needed to succeed.
“The faculty took the time to really value us and ensure that we have access to all the same opportunities as the students who have been here for the last three years,” she said.
By the time she enrolled at Moore, Carter was already working as a freelance illustrator for clients like Inkwell Ideas, Let’s Roll Press and Philly PACK. In 2024, she also completed the NC Wyeth Studio Residency at the Brandywine Museum of Art and an internship with tabletop game company Weird Works, where she currently works as a contract illustrator.
Carter spent her senior year refining her creative skills at Moore, as well as reaching out to companies to publish Underfoot. Although she met with several well-known publishers, she ultimately decided to fund the game’s production through Kickstarter—and reached her goal in 18 hours.
Carter designed Underfoot around problem-solving and teamwork. Through her game, she hopes to foster creative collaboration, encouraging players to combine their unique strengths in an experience that’s fun and accessible for all ages.
“It’s really about accessibility,” Carter said. “I wanted to create something that my friends and I can play together, but also that a 10-year-old can pick up and enjoy.”
Now a graduate of Moore, Carter plans to continue freelancing as an illustrator while applying for in-house game design positions. In the future, she hopes to become an art director at a game company.
“My experience at Moore was valuable,” she said. “As a senior, it allowed me to perfect my skills before I go out into the world.”
Moore College of Art & Design is the only independent art and design college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Want to learn more about the Illustration major at Moore? Contact our Admissions team at enroll@moore.edu or 215.965.4015 to set up a call or a campus visit. We'd love to tell you more!
