Gary LaCoste

Brand Designer

Gary has been a freelance illustrator since 1998. He began his career working on game board and toy designs for clients, including Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Disney and LEGO.

A decade later, Gary shifted his focus to include children’s publishing, developing and promoting his own style of humorous illustration. He worked on many books and became a regular contributor to multiple kids’ magazines, most notably Highlights, Time For Kids, and Clubhouse Jr.

In 2017, he started freelancing for Dan and the KickCharge team developing and illustrating brand mascots. Collaborating with this creative group of artists and designers always inspired Gary and, in 2023, he was offered the opportunity to join the KickCharge roster full-time.

Education

Associate degree in drawing and design, Greenfield Community College.

Proudest Accomplishment

Gary’s proudest accomplishment, other than his family, is the long creative partnerships and friendships he has enjoyed with his illustration clients, some for over 20 years. These relationships, and now his position at KickCharge, enable Gary to earn a living working with a talented group of individuals doing what he loves: drawing.

When not at work

Gary happily lives with his family in Western Massachusetts. When he isn’t cheering on his wife as she tackles adventure races or cheering on his daughter, who is a junior dog handler, Gary is working on their 1890s Colonial house or his 1971 Plymouth Barracuda.

Words to Live By

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso