Kayla Davis
Kayla Davis is an independent producer and Brand Designer with over 20 years of experience in animation, motion graphics, and visual storytelling. She earned her BFA in Computer Animation from Atlanta College of Art (now part of Savannah College of Art and Design) in 2004, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. She began her career at Aflac, moving from the claims department into the in-house creative studio, where she contributed to commercials and 3D animation projects featuring the iconic Aflac Duck. Her early experiences in corporate and creative environments shaped her expertise in translating complex ideas into clear, engaging visual content.
Currently, Kayla is the founder and lead producer at Good Bones, LLC, where she develops and produces independent animated projects with a focus on non-disposable Black lead characters. Her pilot episode has achieved widespread attention, earning millions of views online and a YouTube award for rapid audience growth. At Good Bones, she oversees the full production lifecycle—from concept, funding, and team management to marketing, social engagement, and distribution—ensuring each project reflects her vision and high standards.
Kayla specializes in animation production, indie film development, motion graphics, and digital brand storytelling. Her work blends creativity with production discipline, emphasizing authenticity, collaboration, and representation. Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood, she continues to create character-driven content that entertains, inspires, and amplifies underrepresented voices in animation.
• Atlanta College of Art - BFA
• YouTube award
• Relay for Life
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being myself and being authentic, and not being willing to sacrifice or bend to anybody else's expectations or what they want. I stay true to who I am and don't compromise my vision or values for others.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to get out of your own head. Don't overthink things and don't let your own doubts hold you back. And possibly don't read the comments - especially if they're not the most positive. You have to protect your mental space and not let negativity from others get to you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would definitely sit down and have a conversation with them and tell them to keep pushing for your goal. Don't compare yourself to anybody, because your path is not going to be the same as anyone else's. I know it's inherent for us to always want to compare ourselves to the next big person, but I would say stop comparing yourself. You are you, and your path is going to be different than anybody you see out there. Stay focused on your own journey.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is getting out there and being seen, because everyone gets lost in the algorithm. You could post something and people would be like, I never saw what you posted, I don't know anything about this. So it's really about getting seen and getting noticed and getting out there. It could be going to conventions to promote, but it's just really getting out there and having enough money to sustain everything.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are honesty and family. I try to just shoot straight and be honest with everybody - I'm a horrible liar, so it's just easier for me to shoot straight. I try not to hurt people's feelings, of course, but I'll say things like, hey, you're not being a really good friend right now, or maybe you shouldn't gossip so much. Family is also very important to me. I believe you should always be able to count on family and always help your family. My grandmother just turned 100 and has dementia, and my family goes there every other week to take care of her. We're just not going to put her in a home - that was a promise we made. Family is very important to me.