Yarrow Cheney

Yarrow Cheney (born June 27, 1973) is an American director, artist, designer, author, illustrator, and animator whose career has helped define the look of contemporary animation. After completing his studies at the California Institute the Arts in 1995, he entered the industry as an animator on projects such as Cats Don’t Dance (1997) and Quest for Camelot (1998), gaining valuable experience in traditional and early CGI techniques. Cheney soon transitioned to production design, a role that placed him at the visual helm of major DreamWorks and Illumination features including Despicable Me (2010), The Lorax (2012), and Despicable Me 2 (2013). His inventive set pieces and character environments earned him nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award (for the Dilbert main‑title design) and multiple Annie Award nods, underscoring his reputation for creating vibrant, story‑driven worlds. In 2016, Cheney co‑directed the wildly successful The Secret Life of Pets alongside Chris Renaud, a film that not only received positive critical reception but also became the sixth‑highest‑grossing film of that year, solidifying his status as a top‑tier animation director. He followed this triumph with The Grinch (2018), where he also contributed as a character designer, delivering a fresh visual take on Dr. Seuss’s classic tale. Beyond the big screen, Cheney explored writing and illustration, publishing his debut children’s book Superworld: Save Noah on October 4, 2022, a middle‑grade adventure created in partnership with his wife, author Carrie Cheney; a Paramount Animation adaptation of the series is currently in development. Throughout his career, Cheney has been recognized for his versatility, working on short films such as Puppy (2013) and contributing design work to titles like Dilbert and The ChubbChubbs!. His blend of artistic vision, technical expertise, and storytelling acumen continues to influence a new generation of animators and directors.