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Experience
Creative Director, Rec Room; Remote — May 2024 - Present• Established a profitable direction for Rec Room, aligning creative vision with business goals.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to generate innovative ideas and identify potential challenges.
• Leveraged CI to validate strategies before execution, optimizing game features and maximizing profitability of assets.
• Successfully doubled D1/7 conversion and increased revenue 225% on iOS in 6 months through strategic initiatives.
Studio Creative Director, Artie; Remote — March 2023 - Jan 2024• Collaborated with the GM and founders to pitch and test innovative game ideas.
• Developed and documented comprehensive brand guidelines for the company and its IP.
• Established a new visual direction for user interface design, enhancing overall aesthetics.
• Improved visual quality and optimized production pipelines for 2D and 3D assets.
Art Director, Jam City; San Francisco, CA — June 2013 - Aug 2022
• Led team to pitch and test new game ideas, leveraging successful IP brands and creating new IPs with strong potential for growth, aligning with company vision
• Collaborated with design, engineering, and product leads to determine visual needs, resulting in cohesive game styles and updated style guides, enhancing visual consistency
• Partnered with consumer insights and production to establish timelines and optimize pipeline for the desires of the target market
• Researched market trends to develop a new UA strategy, hired and directed a core team aimed at improving best practices, resulting in 20% more users per ad
Company Owner/ Principal Artist/ Art Director, Contract; San francisco, CA — July 2012- Present
• Develop preproduction artwork for animated films and games, collaborating with clients like Concept Art House and Pocket Gems.
• Create character and prop designs, illustrations, and storyboards for various projects.
• Negotiate client contracts and leveraged external teams to maximize output and efficiency.
Character Designer/ Art Director, BTS Film LLC; Italy/New York — Sept 2009 - Aug 2012
• Art Directed a talented 3D team in Italy, focusing on character design and model/texture packet creation.
• Provided detailed redlines and paint-overs to guide the team through the visual development process.
• Developed numerous storyboards and collaborated closely with the director to enhance the pipeline process.
Studio Art Director, Concept Art House; San Francisco, CA - March 2011-July 2012
• Collaborated directly with the CEO to establish a successful production pipeline for a variety of contracts.
• Engaged with clients to assess project-specific needs and implemented an effective approval process.
• Hired, trained, and supervised Art Directors across 2D, 3D, and Flash departments, ensuring high-quality final products.
• Managed up to 25 contracts simultaneously, fostering a proactive problem-solving culture within teams.
Art Director, Concept Art House; San Francisco, CA - Oct 2009 - March 2011
• Directed an outsourcing production team to ensure high-quality project delivery across multiple contracts.
• Engaged daily with clients to facilitate the approval process of assets, enhancing client satisfaction.
• Collaborated with creative teams to maintain artistic vision and project consistency.
Art Director, Expression College; 2006-2007
• Organized a student team to secure funding for preproduction materials for an animated short film.
• Led art direction, character design, and storyboarding, ensuring a cohesive visual narrative.
• Facilitated story meetings to align creative vision and enhance collaboration among team members.
Intern, Pixar; Emeryville, CA - Jan 2006 - March 2006
• Selected and prepared a variety of artwork for the gallery show Pixar: 20 Years of Animation
• Organized and sorted all preproduction artwork for Pixar's movie Cars
• Collaborated with the team to maintain project quality and meet deadlines, contributing to the successful execution of the gallery
show and movie production.
Education
About Me
I'm passionate about animated film and games! When I’m not making art, you’ll find me either boxing, climbing, playing tag with my kids in the park, or next to the fire with my lady planning our next outside adventure over a glass of wine.
Creative Director, Rec Room; Remote — May 2024 - Present• Established a profitable direction for Rec Room, aligning creative vision with business goals.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to generate innovative ideas and identify potential challenges.
• Leveraged CI to validate strategies before execution, optimizing game features and maximizing profitability of assets.
• Successfully doubled D1/7 conversion and increased revenue 225% on iOS in 6 months through strategic initiatives.
Studio Creative Director, Artie; Remote — March 2023 - Jan 2024• Collaborated with the GM and founders to pitch and test innovative game ideas.
• Developed and documented comprehensive brand guidelines for the company and its IP.
• Established a new visual direction for user interface design, enhancing overall aesthetics.
• Improved visual quality and optimized production pipelines for 2D and 3D assets.
Art Director, Jam City; San Francisco, CA — June 2013 - Aug 2022
• Led team to pitch and test new game ideas, leveraging successful IP brands and creating new IPs with strong potential for growth, aligning with company vision
• Collaborated with design, engineering, and product leads to determine visual needs, resulting in cohesive game styles and updated style guides, enhancing visual consistency
• Partnered with consumer insights and production to establish timelines and optimize pipeline for the desires of the target market
• Researched market trends to develop a new UA strategy, hired and directed a core team aimed at improving best practices, resulting in 20% more users per ad
Company Owner/ Principal Artist/ Art Director, Contract; San francisco, CA — July 2012- Present
• Develop preproduction artwork for animated films and games, collaborating with clients like Concept Art House and Pocket Gems.
• Create character and prop designs, illustrations, and storyboards for various projects.
• Negotiate client contracts and leveraged external teams to maximize output and efficiency.
Character Designer/ Art Director, BTS Film LLC; Italy/New York — Sept 2009 - Aug 2012
• Art Directed a talented 3D team in Italy, focusing on character design and model/texture packet creation.
• Provided detailed redlines and paint-overs to guide the team through the visual development process.
• Developed numerous storyboards and collaborated closely with the director to enhance the pipeline process.
Studio Art Director, Concept Art House; San Francisco, CA - March 2011-July 2012
• Collaborated directly with the CEO to establish a successful production pipeline for a variety of contracts.
• Engaged with clients to assess project-specific needs and implemented an effective approval process.
• Hired, trained, and supervised Art Directors across 2D, 3D, and Flash departments, ensuring high-quality final products.
• Managed up to 25 contracts simultaneously, fostering a proactive problem-solving culture within teams.
Art Director, Concept Art House; San Francisco, CA - Oct 2009 - March 2011
• Directed an outsourcing production team to ensure high-quality project delivery across multiple contracts.
• Engaged daily with clients to facilitate the approval process of assets, enhancing client satisfaction.
• Collaborated with creative teams to maintain artistic vision and project consistency.
Art Director, Expression College; 2006-2007
• Organized a student team to secure funding for preproduction materials for an animated short film.
• Led art direction, character design, and storyboarding, ensuring a cohesive visual narrative.
• Facilitated story meetings to align creative vision and enhance collaboration among team members.
Intern, Pixar; Emeryville, CA - Jan 2006 - March 2006
• Selected and prepared a variety of artwork for the gallery show Pixar: 20 Years of Animation
• Organized and sorted all preproduction artwork for Pixar's movie Cars
• Collaborated with the team to maintain project quality and meet deadlines, contributing to the successful execution of the gallery
show and movie production.
Education
- Animation Collaborative; Emeryville, CA - Visual Development 2013-2022
- Ex'pressions College, Emeryville, CA - BS, 3D Animation and Visual Effects 2004-2007
- Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO - BS, Studio Art 1998-2001
About Me
I'm passionate about animated film and games! When I’m not making art, you’ll find me either boxing, climbing, playing tag with my kids in the park, or next to the fire with my lady planning our next outside adventure over a glass of wine.