Professional Experience
Animation & Motion Graphics Artist | Nekomation | 2008 to Present
Chicago, IL & St. Louis, MO
Chicago, IL & St. Louis, MO
- Produced over 3.5 minutes of traditional character animation, from concept art to final lip-sync and color, in 15 days for the game “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location”.
- Designed and executed illustrations in two unique styles for the intro animation in “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator”.
- Rehired by Scottgames to illustrate all five endings of “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator”.
- Eight years of experience creating animation, illustration, and graphics for start-ups in toys, games, and technology.
- Awarded highly-competitive Fellowship from the Regional Arts Commission to work with start-ups in the Cortex District.
- Created over 100 unique illustrations for the award-winning card games “Zombie Ninja Pirates” and “Vampire Werewolf Fairies” which clearly and humorously depicted abstract concepts such as “Witch Trial” and “Internal Conflict” in a single image.
- Designed the look for the “Zombie Ninja Pirates” game series that unified the disparate art styles of various “celebrity contributors” into a cohesive concept.
- Concept and execute tailored solutions for local and international clients utilizing illustrations, motion imagery, digital assets and motion text for variety of projects including commercials, mobile games and short films.
- Work with a broad range of technologies to successfully develop a unique style for each project based on each client’s specific needs, budget and time constraints.
- Hired and managed animators as-needed to adapt to changing scope of projects.
Program Coordinator: Graphic Communications | St. Louis Community College | Jan. 2017 to June 2018
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO
- Provide creative leadership to students on highly successful service learning projects, acting as primary interface between professional clients and students. Provide feedback, creative direction and technical assistance as needed.
- Interface with Provost, Division Deans and Department Chairs to design and develop creative solutions for a wide range of college initiatives.
- Awarded the Board of Trustees’ Certificate of Appreciation in January 2018.
- Mentor and advise 80+ students in the Graphic Communications program in the selection of courses each semester.
- Oversee operating budget, class and teaching schedules for six faculty and four student workers.
Adjunct Professor | St. Louis Community College | Jan. 2012 to Jan. 2017
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO
- Redesigned animation/ illustration curriculum to deliver a higher quality of education on-par with that of major universities. Graduates of the program have won scholarships to major art universities across the country based on the quality of work produced in the new program.
- Awarded Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Liberal Arts 2016.
- Students have won major grants and scholarships to Bachelors Programs at CalArts, Savannah College of Art and Design, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and Kansas City Art Institute.
- Initiated ongoing collaboration between the Graphic Communications and Mass Communications Departments which partners students in the creation of short animated films. (The first program of its kind at STLCC.)
- Identified a previously untapped market for recruitment in Home Schooled students. Organized department tour and special animation lesson for students which has led to an increase in enrollment of Home Schooled students.
- Teach 100 and 200-level courses in animation, illustration and digital art.
Marketing & Outreach | National Women's Caucus for Art | Sept. 2015 to July 2016
New York, NY (Remote Work)
• Assisting with various marketing and fundraising initiatives including: The Lifetime Achievement Awards and Annual Conference.
Lead Animator | "Win the Jamm Hollywood" (TV Pilot) | May 2011 - September 2012
Los Angeles, CA
• Successfully conceptualized and created all pre-production artwork for an animated TV series on a limited six-month schedule.
• Working collaboratively with the Executive Producer to establish a “look” for the show that is both engaging and efficient to animate.
• Manage animation team: give direction, prepare and distribute animation assets, interview and hire animators, give assistance and support team members to ensure quality and timely completion of goals.
• Create and maintain all production schedules and budgets for animation department.
• Meet regularly with Executive Producer to discuss production goals, work-flow and progress.
Production Assistant | "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (Feature Film) | July - Sept. 2010
Chicago, IL
• Secured filming locations and performed general escort duties on to and off set for Main and Areal Units.
• Kept lockdowns packed with on lookers safe and in place during shots involving car chases, stunts, explosions and aerial photography.
Lead Illustrator | Gozer Games, LLC | 2009 - 2012
Bensenville, IL
• Created over 100 unique illustrations for the award-winning card games “Zombie Ninja Pirates” and “Vampire Werewolf Fairies” on a limited 3 month production schedule.
• Clearly and humorously depicted abstract concepts such as “Witch Trial” and “Internal Conflict” in a single image.
• Hired on as lead illustrator after only one project due to my reliability, professionalism and creativity.
Animation Reviewer | Film Monthly | 2008 - 2010
Chicago, IL
New York, NY (Remote Work)
• Assisting with various marketing and fundraising initiatives including: The Lifetime Achievement Awards and Annual Conference.
Lead Animator | "Win the Jamm Hollywood" (TV Pilot) | May 2011 - September 2012
Los Angeles, CA
• Successfully conceptualized and created all pre-production artwork for an animated TV series on a limited six-month schedule.
• Working collaboratively with the Executive Producer to establish a “look” for the show that is both engaging and efficient to animate.
• Manage animation team: give direction, prepare and distribute animation assets, interview and hire animators, give assistance and support team members to ensure quality and timely completion of goals.
• Create and maintain all production schedules and budgets for animation department.
• Meet regularly with Executive Producer to discuss production goals, work-flow and progress.
Production Assistant | "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (Feature Film) | July - Sept. 2010
Chicago, IL
• Secured filming locations and performed general escort duties on to and off set for Main and Areal Units.
• Kept lockdowns packed with on lookers safe and in place during shots involving car chases, stunts, explosions and aerial photography.
Lead Illustrator | Gozer Games, LLC | 2009 - 2012
Bensenville, IL
• Created over 100 unique illustrations for the award-winning card games “Zombie Ninja Pirates” and “Vampire Werewolf Fairies” on a limited 3 month production schedule.
• Clearly and humorously depicted abstract concepts such as “Witch Trial” and “Internal Conflict” in a single image.
• Hired on as lead illustrator after only one project due to my reliability, professionalism and creativity.
Animation Reviewer | Film Monthly | 2008 - 2010
Chicago, IL
Noteworthy Productions
"Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location"
Client - Scottgames
Job Role - Animator
* Over 500,000 copies sold since October 2016.
“A Tooth Tale” (Animated Film)
Client - Ron Fleischer
Job Role - Special Effects Background Artist
Awards - Best Animated Short: 2013 Garden Stare Film Festival, Best Short Film: 2013 Columbia College Chicago Alumni Film Competition, Honorable Mention: 2013 Santa Monica Film Festival, Honorable Mention: 2012 Columbus International Film & Video Festival
“Osgood Rex” (Musical)
Client - Project WonderMeant
Job Role - Character Designer & Mask Fabricator
Award - Audience Choice Award: 2012 St. Lou Fringe Fest
“Zombie Ninja Pirates” (Game Series)
Client - Gozer Games
Job Role - Lead Illustrator
Awards - 2011 Gaming Genius Award, 2010 Toy Man Award of Excellence
“The Three Artists” (Animated Film)
Client - Senior Film at Columbia College Chicago
Job Role - Director; Lead Animator
Award - Screened at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2008
Client - Scottgames
Job Role - Animator
* Over 500,000 copies sold since October 2016.
“A Tooth Tale” (Animated Film)
Client - Ron Fleischer
Job Role - Special Effects Background Artist
Awards - Best Animated Short: 2013 Garden Stare Film Festival, Best Short Film: 2013 Columbia College Chicago Alumni Film Competition, Honorable Mention: 2013 Santa Monica Film Festival, Honorable Mention: 2012 Columbus International Film & Video Festival
“Osgood Rex” (Musical)
Client - Project WonderMeant
Job Role - Character Designer & Mask Fabricator
Award - Audience Choice Award: 2012 St. Lou Fringe Fest
“Zombie Ninja Pirates” (Game Series)
Client - Gozer Games
Job Role - Lead Illustrator
Awards - 2011 Gaming Genius Award, 2010 Toy Man Award of Excellence
“The Three Artists” (Animated Film)
Client - Senior Film at Columbia College Chicago
Job Role - Director; Lead Animator
Award - Screened at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2008
Education
Bachelor of Arts | Film & Video (Animation) | 2008
Columbia College Chicago
Graduated with Honors - GPA 3.8
Associate of Applied Science | Graphic Communications (Illustration) | 2004
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
Columbia College Chicago
Graduated with Honors - GPA 3.8
Associate of Applied Science | Graphic Communications (Illustration) | 2004
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
Honors & Awards
St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees' Certificate of Accomplishment | 2018
Artists at CIC @ CET Fellowship | Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis | 2017
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Liberal Arts | STLCC at Florissant Valley | 2016
Biennial Faculty Exhibition | The Contemporary Gallery at STLCC Florissant Valley | 2012, 2014 & 2016
Women-in-Progress Exhibition (Group Exhibition) | The Contemporary Gallery at STLCC at Florissant Valley | 2010
St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees' Certificate of Accomplishment | 2008
Dean's List | Columbia College Chicago | 2005, 2006 & 2008
Artists at CIC @ CET Fellowship | Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis | 2017
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Liberal Arts | STLCC at Florissant Valley | 2016
Biennial Faculty Exhibition | The Contemporary Gallery at STLCC Florissant Valley | 2012, 2014 & 2016
Women-in-Progress Exhibition (Group Exhibition) | The Contemporary Gallery at STLCC at Florissant Valley | 2010
St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees' Certificate of Accomplishment | 2008
Dean's List | Columbia College Chicago | 2005, 2006 & 2008
Volunteer Work
Chair, STLCC Women’s History Month Committee | 2018
Facilitator, Strategic Planning Committee | 2017 to Present
Curator, "The Art of Matias Tapia" Gallery Exhibition | Fall 2016
Animation Supervisor, Title IX Awareness PSAs | Fall 2015 - Spring 2016
Graphic Designer, Drawing FergUSon Together | 2015
Facilitator, Strategic Planning Committee | 2017 to Present
Curator, "The Art of Matias Tapia" Gallery Exhibition | Fall 2016
Animation Supervisor, Title IX Awareness PSAs | Fall 2015 - Spring 2016
Graphic Designer, Drawing FergUSon Together | 2015