A native of New York state, Michael Allen attended Parsons School of Design and received a BFA from Towson University. Throughout his career, he has worked for a number of prestigious consumer clients as an art director in advertising and publishing and as a graphic designer. In addition, he was an action photographer for NFL properties and a character designer for Nickelodeon, and he has written for the Cartoon Network on an animated series.

Michael has taught art enrichment courses in the New York City public schools and, most recently, art and design courses at Columbia University for the School of Professional Studies Program. His experience in a range of creative fields allows him to teach students a variety of professional skills and techniques in the visual arts and to offer insight into helping them identify and choose the best career path.