From Imagination to Impact: Phillip Boutte Jr. Unpacks the Art of Vision at the 2025 Mosaic Event

At the 2025 Mosaic Event, students were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative engine that powers some of the world’s biggest films. The session was led by Phillip Boutte Jr., a concept artist, costume illustrator, and co-founder of 9B Collective, the first Black-owned concept art studio comprising primarily BIPOC artists. With nearly 20 years of experience, Phillip has helped shape characters and costumes for blockbuster films like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Jungle Cruise, Inception, The Hunger Games, and more. Phillip brought both creative brilliance and down-to-earth advice to this year’s theme: “The Power of Vision.”

Careers Behind the Credits

Phillip kicked off his presentation by asking students, “How many of you watch the credits at the end of a movie?” His point was simple but powerful. Every name listed in the credits represents a specific job. Whether in entertainment, healthcare, or tech, every field has a pipeline of jobs behind the product, and if students want to be part of those industries, they need to understand the work that goes on behind the scenes.

He encouraged students to look past social media highlight reels and recognize the hours of work, study, collaboration, and iteration that go into the careers they admire. In the creative industry, he said, what audiences see is often just the polished result of a long, detailed process.

“Social media shows the result, not the work,” he said. “But your power is in learning what that work really is.”

Designing Worlds: What a Concept Artist Actually Does

Phillip explained that his role as a concept artist and costume illustrator begins in pre-production, the earliest stage of film or TV creation. Working alongside directors, writers, and costume designers, he helps visualize characters, costumes, props, and environments before a single frame is filmed.

Using examples from his portfolio, including Jungle Cruise’s Trader Sam, the reimagined Black Tinker Bell in Peter Pan & Wendy, and Namor’s underwater kingdom in Wakanda Forever, Phillip showed students the creative process behind characters they know and love:

• Sketches and shape language to define visual direction

• Mood boards to explore tone, culture, and materials

• Rendering and modeling to bring ideas to life

• Research into real-world inspiration (botany, architecture, materials, history) to create authentic worlds

• Collaboration and iteration to align with the story and production needs

Even though many of his designs don’t make it to the screen, Phillip emphasized that every drawing matters; each one adds to the creative momentum that makes stories immersive.

A Deeper Dive into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

One of the most emotional and impactful projects Phillip shared was his work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Following the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, the design team had to pause, regroup, and find a way to honor his legacy while respectfully continuing the story. Phillip contributed to key moments, including:

• Developing Namor’s costume and underwater culture

• Creating keyframe illustrations to imagine pivotal scenes, such as Namor confronting Shuri and Queen Ramonda

• Exploring Aztec and Mayan influences in armor and weapon design

• Developing speculative technology using real-world materials to design underwater breathing mechanisms

Through this detailed work, he demonstrated how art and research converge to create worlds that feel lived-in and emotionally resonant.

Vision, Community, and Action

As Phillip wrapped up, he reminded students that vision is more than just drawing cool characters; it’s about curiosity, collaboration, and commitment. He challenged them to:

• Study their chosen fields deeply

• Surround themselves with creative peers

• Use libraries, community resources, and mentors

• Stay open to feedback and iteration

• Brand themselves intentionally and authentically

The Power of Vision in Motion

Phillip Boutte Jr.’s presentation was a masterclass in transforming creative vision into tangible impact. He helped students see that artistic careers are not only possible but also powerful and that their vision, paired with hard work and learning, can shape the stories of the future.

Mosaic Film Experience is proud to empower underrepresented youth to explore emerging and creative careers through the power of storytelling. We are also proud to highlight creatives like Phillip Boutte Jr., who are not only leading the industry but also reshaping it through intentional world-building and cultural authenticity. We believe students thrive when they see what’s possible and are equipped to envision a world that reflects their own stories, struggles, and strengths. Thank you to Phillip for sharing your powerful vision and to our educators, sponsors, and partners who made this year’s event possible.