Sandra Equihua

Sandra Equihua
Equihua at the 2023 WonderCon
Born
Sandra Equihua

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Alma materIbero-American University Tijuana
Known forCo-creating El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera
Notable workEl Tigre, The Book of Life, Son of Jaguar, Maya and the Three
Spouse
​
(m. 2001)​
AwardsAnnie, Emmy

Sandra Equihua is a Mexican animator, painter, sculptor, character designer, voice actress, and illustrator.

Biography

Born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico,[1] Sandra attended the Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO) and received her BFA in Graphic Design in Tijuana, Mexico. While studying under illustrator Rafael Lopez at Art Center at Night in San Diego, she learned to conceptualize, experiment with technique, color and ideas, discovering her real passion was illustration. This expanded her artistic range and she moved to Los Angeles.[2] She also studied under the Clayton Brothers at Art Center at Night in Pasadena.

Her original paintings have been shown in galleries both in Mexico and the United States. She designed characters for El Macho (Sony), ¡Mucha Lucha! (WB), The Buzz on Maggie (Disney), and Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! (Nick Jr.). Her work in the animation field includes illustration, character design, and voice acting.[3] She melds the influences of mid-century design and her own Mexican heritage.[4]

Equihua is married to artist Jorge R. Gutierrez and together they created the Nickelodeon series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera.[4][5] The show dealt with issues such as immigration, ambition, romance, success and defeat. In October 2014 the 3D animated film The Book of Life was released, and Sandra designed all the female characters[6] with reality flaws and personal touches to add authenticity. Symbolism and heritage are an essential part of her character development, evidenced in the use of traditional Mexican folkloric designs and other cultural references. The poetic, magical story references spaghetti westerns, bullfighting and pop music.[6]

In 2018, Equihua creatively consulted, voiced and created character designs for Jorge R. Gutierrez's Son of Jaguar, a VR short for Google Spotlight Stories.[7][8]

In 2021, Equihua creatively consulted, voiced and created character designs for Jorge R. Gutierrez's event series Maya and the Three at Netflix Animation.[9][10]

Awards

Sandra Equihua won an Annie and Emmy Award for her character designs on El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera.[11] She was the first Latina artist to achieve the honor.[12] She won an Annie for her character designs for The Book of Life.[13]

References

  1. ^ "A Conversation with Sandra Equihua". fullecirclemagazine.com. 1 December 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2026. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Sandra Equihua Martínez". Paseo de la Fama Tijuana (in Spanish). Consejo de Desarollo Economico de Tijuana. 2 July 2012. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Sandra Equihua". Lynda.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  4. ^ a b Marks, Terry (2011). "Interview: Sandra Equihua - Animator/Producer - Culver City, California, USA". Good Design: Deconstructing Form and Function and What Makes Good Design Work. Rockport. pp. 72–75. ISBN 978-1-59253-529-3. OCLC 785648145. Retrieved 7 June 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ Cereijido, Antonia (10 October 2014). "The Day of the Dead gets its Hollywood moment". Latino USA. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  6. ^ a b Murphy, Mekado (15 October 2014). "Hand-Carved Love Triangle". The New York Times (published 19 October 2014). pp. AR.18. ISSN 0362-4331. ProQuest 1613659532. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  7. ^ Zahed, Ramin (12 April 2018). "Google Spotlight Launches Art Book and Exhibit". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 June 2026. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  8. ^ Mon, Sierra (12 January 2018). "Google Spotlight Stories: 'Son of Jaguar' & 'Sonaria'". ArtStation Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  9. ^ "'Maya and the Three' Creator Jorge Gutiérrez Unveils New Animated Feature, 'La Venganza Rodríguez'". Animation Magazine. 20 June 2025. Archived from the original on 8 June 2026. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  10. ^ Sarto, Dan (25 October 2021). "Jorge R. Gutiérrez and Sandra Equihua Talk 'Maya and the Three'". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  11. ^ Gurza, Agustin (24 March 2007). "Daring duo of Latino Animators". Los Angeles Times. pp. E.1. ProQuest 422164032. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  12. ^ Derrick, Lisa (8 October 2018). "How Border Crossing Inspired Mexican Artist Jorge R. Gutierrez's Vibrant New Book". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  13. ^ "42nd Annual Annie Awards". Annie Awards. 2014. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
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