• Provide simple solutions to the complicated problems facing CG professionals
• Design artist-facing features that can also impact large scale production pipelines
• Veteran animator and layout artist with film, television and game credits
• Streamline the daily workflows used by creative professionals
• Exploit the strengths of my Agile team as Product Owner while improving their weaker skills
• Research customer problems to determine design priorities and direction
• Apply real-world experience to produce the tools that create AAA games and feature films
• Make the lives of users easier and simpler
• Develop user-friendly production tools and scripts
• Simplify complex workflows, improve procedures, and anticipate future needs
• Supervisory, Lead and Mentor experience in Animation and Layout

Autodesk Inc, Toronto, ON

Principal User Experience Designer, 2011-2015

• Crafted user experiences for Maya, the leading solution for Animation, Games and Visual Effects
• Democratized the innovative technology of leading studios to small and medium-sized customers
• Validated proposed features through customer feedback, user interviews and domain expertise
• Delivered mockups, prototypes and workflow diagrams to Development and Product Management
• Mentored and supervised interns and inexperienced designers on remote teams
• Prioritized defects with QA to improve stability and meet division goals
• Consulted with industry leading animation and game studios regarding proposed technical solutions
• Steered the development of pipeline solutions for small and large production houses
• Collaborated with Product Management to determine acceptance criteria and product goals
• Authored and maintained Agile user stories as the Product Owner of several teams

Plumber 3D, Portland, OR

UX Designer and Developer, 2009-2010

• Designed and developed a completely GUI-based CG production pipeline for Maya using Python
• Created documentation, video reference guides, sample projects files and user tutorials
• Devised a simple turnkey implementation with hooks for customized client solutions
• Authored and maintained the product website with Dreamweaver

Sony Imageworks, Culver City, CA

Layout Artist, 2010

• Developed and documented production tools bridging the editorial and layout departments
• Inventor: “Asset Management During Production of Media,” US Patent/Application No. 20130232398

LAIKA Animation, Portland, OR

Lead Layout Artist/Animator, 2006–2009

• Standardized layout and pre-visualization workflows for in-house projects and production sequences
• Department liaison to the Research and Development team

The Third Floor, Los Angeles, CA (Remote)

Previs Artist, 2021 - 2022

• Previsualized shots and sequences for upcoming episodic series of a major intellectual property
• Performed cinematography, edited motion capture and created keyframe animation as needed
• Ensured creative consistency, shot continuity and pipeline compatibility for all sequence
• Designed and developed production and workflow tools to improve efficiency
• Fulfilled the Director's vision in a timely, efficient manner

Industrial Brothers Animation, Toronto, ON

Layout Supervisor, 2019 - 2020

• Managed a staff of 8 Previs and Layout Artists
• Oversaw cinematography and character blocking
• Ensured creative consistency, shot continuity and pipeline compatibility for all sequence
• Determined technical strategies for Layout with a budding shot pipeline
• Set production goals and schedules
• Designed and developed production tools and workflows to improve efficiency
• Directed the team to fulfill the Director's vision in a timely, efficient manner
• Managed and mentored junior artists
• Ensured on-time hand-off to downstream departments
• Determined workflows and developed production tools

Scene Planner, 2020 - 2021

• Performed previs and layout for the upcoming Netflix action/adventure series
• Oversaw assigned sequences through all stages of production
• Ensure creative consistency, shot continuity and pipeline compatibility
• Assisted in the development of workflows in new USD pipeline
• Designed and developed creative workflow tools to improve efficiency

Seneca College, Toronto, ON

Professor, 2020 - 2021

• Taught courses in Digital Cinematography, Layout and Visual Storytelling
• Designed and developed course plan and all class materials and assignments
• Mentored and evaluated student work during the semester

Sheridan College, Oakville, ON

Guest Lecturer, 2019 - Present

• Present a yearly lecture on the roles and methods of 3D Layout in the animation process
• Mentor fourth-year animation students via reviews of the cinematography of their final projects

SPIN VFX, Toronto, ON

Layout Lead, 2018 - 2019

• Translated written/spoken descriptions or storyboard panels into dynamic 3D visual effects shots
• Responsible for complex layout, scene and shot set ups
• Ensured creative consistency, shot continuity and pipeline compatibility for assigned shots
• Determined technical strategies to accomplish complex client requests
• Produced and composited animatics and tests for client and supervisor evaluation
• Created original all CG camera animation and camera setups needed for special situations
• Designed and developed production tools and workflows to improve efficiency
• Software included: Maya, Nuke, Katana, Shotgun, Arnold, LinuxLead Layout artist and team supervisor
• Fulfilled the Director's vision through cinematography and character blocking
• Performed sequence staging, character blocking and camera animation
• Managed and mentor junior artists
• Ensured on-time hand-off to downstream departments
• Determined workflows and develop production tools

Snowball Studios, Toronto, ON

Lead Layout Artist, 2017 - 2018

• Lead Layout artist and team supervisor
• Fulfilled the Director's vision through cinematography and character blocking
• Performed sequence staging, character blocking and camera animation
• Managed and mentor junior artists
• Ensured on-time hand-off to downstream departments
• Determinde workflows and develop production tools

Arc Productions, Toronto, ON

Layout Artist, 2015 - 2016

• Layout artist for film and television projects
• Performed sequence staging, character blocking and camera animation
• Projects included: “Blazing Samurai”, “Elena of Avalor”, “Barbie: Starlight”, “Max Steel”

Sony Picture Imageworks, Culver City, CA

Layout Artist, 2010

• Rough Layout artist for the Aardman film "Arthur Christmas"
• Performed sequence staging, character blocking and camera animation
• Furnished animation, lighting, and effects blocking via layout
• Developed animation systems and rigs
• Authored departmental production tools

Reel FX, Dallas, TX

Remote Layout Artist, 2009-2010

• Rough Layout artist for "Looney Tunes" theatrical stereoscopic shorts
• Performed sequence staging, character blocking and camera animation
• Furnished animation, lighting, and effects blocking via layout

LAIKA Animation, Portland, OR

Lead Layout Artist/Animator, 2006–2009

• Layout artist for in-house projects and production sequences
• Character animator for LAIKA House and Feature Film departments
• Performed shot staging and set planning for complete sequences
• Authored and supported production tools, including complete previsualization pipeline
• Liaison between Layout and Research and Development departments
• Devised production workflows and refined departmental procedures

Dreamworks Feature Animation, Glendale, CA

Layout Artist, 2003–2005

• Performed shot staging, character blocking and set planning in Rough Layout
• Created custom animation and production tools using MEL script
• Rigged RLO characters and devised tools for consistent animation controls
• Provided set dressing and final cameras with proprietary software
• Projects included Over the Hedge and Father of the Pride

T.J. and E. Productions, San Rafael, CA

Animator/Artist, 2000–2002

• Performed layout, animation, lighting and editing for in-game movie sequences
• Animated, rigged and modeled real-time characters for released X-Box title
• Solved technical issues and created production tools in MEL

Tippett Studio, Berkeley, CA

Animator, 1998-1999

• Animated creatures and effects for the feature film The Haunting
• Rigged control systems as needed for assigned shots
• Performed layout for in-house development projects

Dream Quest Images, Simi Valley, CA

Character Animator, 1997-1998

• Animated lead character of Mighty Joe Young
• Created previsualization animatics for Mighty Joe Young and Inspector Gadget

Mainframe Entertainment, Vancouver, BC

Senior Animator, Supervising Animator, 1996-1997

• Supervised suite of eight animators, and animated assigned shots
• Ensured timely delivery of completed episodes of Beastwars
• Performed modeling, rigging, surfacing, effects and lighting for assigned shots
• Weekly quota of 30 seconds of finished footage per week

Vancouver Film School, Vancouver, BC

3D Animation and Visual Effects Program

• Recipient of Director's Letter of Recommendation

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Bachelor of Arts: English

• Recipient of Random House Award for Oustanding Achievement in Literature