Christopher DiNardo

With an expansive career creating visually compelling designs across a variety of media landscapes, I continue to love the creative process. Proficient in industry-standard tools and a few of the oddball solutions, I am committed to bringing ideas to life. With a keen eye for design and a collaborative mindset, I thrive in fast-paced environments and am driven by the opportunity to push creative boundaries.

Animator|Designer at Freelance (2016 – Present)

Since 2016 I have been working as a Freelance Designer, Animator, and Editor. Generally remote, but I have also crossed the country a few times to work on extended team projects in the studio.

My work has covered all spectrums: from commercial work in Los Angeles to political ads in Washington DC. Instructional videos for military families, architectural visualizations, broadcast show titles, lifestyle videos - and maps. Lots of Maps. A comprehensive list would be tiresome, but my clients include Mean Green Media, the Home Builders Association, NatGeo, Ambient Skies, Mattel, and Stormwind.

VFX Supervisor at Blade (2015 – 2016)

Hired as the Supervisor for Blade’s graphics department, I enhanced Blade’s ability to meet deadlines and exceed client expectations. I was responsible for producing visualizations for various industrial-scale construction projects, while maintaining a team of juniors. While servicing local clients including the Diamondbacks, Blade was able to extend its client and work to a nationwide network.

CG Animator|Designer at Cerebral Lounge (2008 – 2015)

As a CG animator and designer at Cerebral Lounge I helped the company double its production staff through exceptional work, consistent standards, and staff coaching. As the senior 3D artist, I was constantly tasked with creative design, execution, and team leadership on Cerebral Lounge’s key projects which spanned Discovery Communications properties, National Geographic Channel, PBS, Smith Gifford, Gensler, and a Beyoncé Lady Gaga video thrown in for good measure.

Animator|Designer at Freelance (2005 – 2008)

Armed with a suitcase-sized laptop and an internet connection I was working just 300 steps from the beautiful beaches on the island of St Croix in the US Virgin Islands. I worked as a freelance animator, educator, and architect’s assistant where my years of self motivation and reliance allowed me to produce work for local and remote stateside clients.

CG Animator2 at Turner Studios (1997 – 2005)

From its days in the basement of Ted Turner’s plantation house through its time in the custom sixty million dollar facility that it had grown to require, I worked for Turner Studios Effects department. While there I worked on every Turner property; TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, TCM, Turner Sports, and many more. Alongside a small group of designers and animators, the team worked on all forms of production, including practical effects, shot augmentation, and of course fully animated CG.

The award list was literally too long to maintain, as in 2003 when we won 20 PROMAX (two platinum awards,) 24 BDA, and seven Southeast Regional Emmy awards.

Art Director at Macquarium (1994 – 1997)

As the first recruit for Macquarium Multimedia, in Atlanta, Georgia I taught myself Alias (pre-Maya), Photoshop, After Effects (then CoSA), and a host of other tools to meet the production demands that the business required. Macquarium produced interactive content, original productions, broadcast and on set graphics, as well as web development. I was responsible for artistic staff hiring, education, and production management.

In three years the company grew to a staff of over twenty, allowing Macquarium to spawn Fathom Studios.

Illustrator at Freelance (1992 – 1994)

I began my artistic career while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design. I worked largely in pen and ink, and almost exclusively with White Wolf Publications, the producers of the phenomenally successful World of Darkness series of role playing games. I had over 150 printed pieces in a half dozen books, not including their re-release.

BFA in Illustration – Savannah College of Art and Design (1989 – 1993)