about me

My name is Rachel. Motion graphics designer by trade, storytelling animator in my heart, a helper on the road to help you create something through the trickery that is animation. I truly believe animation is magic. Broken down into its base technical components, it is individual still frames whizzing by our eyes at 29.97 frames per second. Or 24 frames per second if you are in film. The only true motion is that which our brain tricks us into believing there is by interpolating the change from one still frame to the next. And in those frames, whole new worlds are created. How is that not magic?

2D, 3D, 2.5D (yes, it exists, and I can explain how if you wish,) I have worked in all of these digital realms, and each has their own specific strength and advantage. It all depends on what you are trying to convey.

If you are interested in my services, please drop me a line via my contact page, and let’s work together.

Software capabilities: Maya, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Cinema 4D (in progress)

Hardware capabilities: Drawing and teaching. Mac and Windows.

 

Professional Experience

 

Freelance Work, Chicago

3D and Motion Graphics Designer, 2006-present

  • Creating various animations for design studios and short independent films in the Chicago area. Clients include Motorola, Scion, Adelstein Liston, Protokulture, and AS+GG Architecture.

 

Columbia College Chicago

Adjunct Faculty, 2012-present

  • Teaching Introduction to Computer Animation in the Animation section of the Film and Video department. This is an introductory course to 3D, both from the technical and conceptual realm.

 

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Instructor, 2010-present

  • Teaching Advanced Motion Design to juniors and seniors in the Visual Communications department, integrating principles of traditional animation into motion design theory.

 

20 West Productions, Chicago

Freelance Motion Graphics Designer, 2010-present

  • Working with producers to create graphics for reality television as well as branding animations for various parts of the parent company (sports, celebrity gossip, etc.) Clients include A&E, Discovery Health, DIY, & Chase.

 

Towers Productions (Towers Post,) Chicago

Motion Graphics Designer, 2007-2010

  • Working with producers, editors, and the art director to create new and refresh previous graphics for short form documentaries for television. Clients include Discovery Channel, The History Channel and National Geographic.

 

Studio North, North Chicago

3D and Motion Graphics Designer, 2005-2007

  • Working with Art Director and creative team to create animated or still 3D visuals for corporate clientele. Includes research for implementing new methods of 3D into various multimedia vehicles. Clients include CDW and Philips Advance.