Storyteller and VFX Artist transitioning to UX Design. Leveraging 15+ years of experience crafting award-winning visuals for film and television and 5+ gold awards for fiction podcast writing, I’m passionate about user-centered design and excited to translate my skills into captivating user experiences. Strengths include user research, multi-discipline collaboration, and problem-solving.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, OR 2012 – 2017
VFX & Finishing Supervisor
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Led a team of VFX artists in delivering high-quality visual effects for national and international commercials. Oversaw creative direction, project management, and client communication, ensuring projects met deadlines and exceeded client expectations.
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Mentored junior artists, providing guidance and feedback to help them develop their technical and creative skills. Conducted regular creative reviews on internal work, identifying and addressing potential issues.
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Successfully collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team of designers, directors, and editors to ensure seamless integration of VFX into the final product.
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Increased department productivity by streamlining workflows and implementing best operating practices, creating an increase in employee satisfaction and an increase in the overall quality of visual effects delivered.
Method Studios, L.A., CA 2003 – 2009
Senior Flame Artist (Film & Television VFX)
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Created visually stunning and technically complex visual effects for major film and television productions such as the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise and multiple award-winning commercial productions.
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Pioneered and tested innovative VFX concepts and techniques in Autodesk Flame, developing layer-based and node-based compositing solutions that contributed to the studio’s visual effects pipeline development.
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Effectively presented final deliverables to team leads and clients, ensuring clear communication and project approval.
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Collaborated closely with directors, producers, and editors throughout the production process, ensuring seamless integration of VFX with the narrative and achieving the desired creative vision.
Freelance VFX Artist (Various Studios), L.A., CA 2009 – Present
Freelance Senior Flame Artist (Film & Television VFX)
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Demonstrated versatility and adaptability by contributing to a diverse range of film and television projects.
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Leveraged strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to overcome complex visual effects and production challenges, consistently delivering high-quality work within tight deadlines.
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Developed a deep understanding of diverse client needs and expectations through close collaboration with creatives, directors, and production companies.
EDUCATION
Art Institute of Dallas, Dallas, TX 2001
Associate of the Arts, Animation Art and Design Program
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Awards: Dean’s List 2001 (Top 10%), Departmental Merit Scholarship
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Studied animation fundamentals, including art and design principles.
UCLA Extension, (online) 2022
Feature Film Screenwriting
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Completed online course focused on storytelling for feature films.
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Explored film analysis, character building, and effective communication through brainstorming and peer reviews.
CERTIFICATIONS
Coursera , (online) 2024
Google UX Design Professional Certification
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Completed a 6 of 7courses in the UX Design Professional Certification program.
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Current Average - 92%
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Projected Certification Completion: June 2024
SKILLS & OTHER
Technical Skills: Autodesk Flame, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, G-Suite
*Member of the Academy of Interactive and Visual Art
Awards (Visual Effects Artist):
2007 Sears Tools “Arboretum”
2008 Microsoft Zune “Ballad of Tina Pink”
2013 Nike “Vapor Trail”
Awards (Fiction Podcast Creator):
2021 “Priced to Sell” - HearNow Audio Arts Festival GOLD Award
2022 “Outgrowth” - LA Web Festival GOLD Award
2023 “Outgrowth” - LA Sci-Fi Film Festival GOLD Award, HearNow Audio Arts Festival GOLD Award, LA Motion Picture Film Festival GOLD Award, W3 Awards GOLD Award