Artist Spotlight: Whitney Pollett on Bringing Magic to Disney Lorcana

The Disney Lorcana North American Championship not only brought together fans and competitors but also gave attendees the chance to meet some of the creative minds behind the game. Among them was artist Whitney Pollett, who has contributed her talent to several iconic Disney Lorcana cards, including Elsa: Ice Surfer and Yzma: Conniving Chemist. Known for her work in toy and character design, Pollett shared her journey, creative process, and the surreal experience of seeing her art come to life in the form of collectible cards.

Pollett’s first contribution to Disney Lorcana was Elsa: Ice Surfer, a card that perfectly captured the regal yet adventurous spirit of Disney’s ice queen. Since then, she’s worked on a variety of cards, including Yzma: Conniving Chemist, Mother Knows Best featuring Mother Gothel, and has also worked behind the scenes on several Tinker Bell fashion designs, often uncredited in the final product. Reflecting on her work, she explained, “I do a lot of concept work, including fashions, designs, and layouts. Ravensburger takes that and hands it off to artists for further inspiration. It’s a fun and exciting little secret project."

While Pollett’s professional background in toy design prepared her for this work, she noted that creating for Disney Lorcana comes with its own challenges. “It’s so similar to toy design in terms of the briefing process," she said. “But when working on characters like Elsa, you’re very aware of how precious they are. There are so many little things you have to consider because you don’t want to deviate too far from the original character."

Pollett also highlighted the meticulous research she undertakes for each project. For the Enchanted variant of Yzma: Conniving Chemist, she delved into the flora and fauna of Peru to design elements inspired by real-life poisonous plants and creatures. “I cartoonified them, of course," she laughed, “but they’re based on actual things from that region." Whitney hopes that someday a Disney Lorcana fan who also studies botany will notice the scientific research that went into that design.

As an artist who often works under strict NDAs, Pollett admitted that attending events like the Championship is a surreal experience. “I’m usually behind the scenes, so to come out and have people line up to thank me or get their cards signed—it’s amazing," she said. “The Disney Lorcana community is by far the kindest group of people I’ve ever met. It’s an honor to engage with them and see how much they love and appreciate the game."

Whitney also gets to engage with fans at other conventions, which is how she first laid eyes on a rare Enchanted version of Yzma: Conniving Chemist. “I worked on that card for weeks, but when I finally held it, I was floored. The foil details—like the amethyst stroke around the character and how her eyeliner catches the light—were incredible. They even let me make her rose gold instead of a traditional gold, which I think helps her stand out."

Pollett has a clear affinity for designing complicated female characters, whether it’s Tinker Bell, Elsa, or Yzma. “I love a complicated woman," she said with a smile. “Yzma is so ambitious. She’s intelligent, well-versed in science and STEM, and determined to achieve her dreams—even if they’re the stuff of nightmares. I tried to capture her blend of elegance and sharpness, with nods to Al Hirschfeld’s sweeping lines."

One of the unique challenges of working on Disney Lorcana is merging Disney’s diverse artistic styles into the game’s cohesive aesthetic. From the clean lines of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the rougher edges of the Xerox era in 101 Dalmatians, Pollett immerses herself in each character’s origins. “I watch the movies, screenshot moments, and build mood boards. Ravensburger also provides references, which I add to. It’s all about respecting the original design while making it work within Disney Lorcana’s world," she explained.

As the game continues to grow, Whitney Pollett expressed her excitement about the future of Disney Lorcana. She hopes to see Tinker Bell joined by her Disney Fairies friends, like Iridessa, Rosetta, and Vidia. “If I could do an entire fairy deck, I would," she said.

Pollett closed by reflecting on what Disney Lorcana has given her as an artist. “This project stopped me in my tracks and reignited my inspiration," she said. “It’s not often you get to work on something that makes you feel that way. I’m so grateful to Ravensburger and the Lorcana community for that."

It’s often said that if you choose a profession based on something you love to do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, that’s not exactly true; at some point, work becomes just that - work. However, as a commercial artist known within the toy industry as a “secret weapon," Disney Lorcana has given Whitney Pollett something of a renaissance inspired by one of her heroes, Leonardo Da Vinci. “My heart was fluttering," she recalled about the first Teams chat with the other Disney Lorcana artists where she got to see the blending of Da Vinci’s aesthetic with classic and contemporary Disney characters. “I was in awe. This flood of inspiration came rushing back, and I just thought, ‘Thank you, Disney Lorcana, for giving me this gift again.’ It’s been so long since I worked on a project that truly made me feel this way."

As Disney Lorcana continues to capture the hearts of fans worldwide, it’s clear that artists like Whitney Pollett play a significant role in its magic. With her passion for Disney, Da Vinci, and attention to detail, she’s helping to ensure that Disney Lorcana isn’t just a game—it’s an experience.