Fast-learning 2D Game Animator with a background in freelance work and arts education, producing frame-by-frame 2D animation for teams and private clients while staying comfortable working within variable frame-rate requirements and production schedules. Experienced across multiple disciplines—2D animation, game-play and cinematic animation, and engine workflows—partnering with both non-specialist clients and specialist collaborators to deliver on goals, troubleshoot technical issues, and research best-practice alternatives for optimal production.…

Keanu Johnson

PRO
5.0 (1 review)

Fast-learning 2D Game Animator with a background in freelance work and arts education, producing frame-by-frame 2D animation for teams and private clients while staying comfortable working within variable frame-rate requirements and production schedules. Experienced across multiple disciplines—2D animation, game-play and cinematic animation, and engine workflows—partnering with both non-specialist clients and specialist collaborators to deliver on goals, troubleshoot technical issues, and research best-practice alternatives for optimal production.…

Available to hire

Fast-learning 2D Game Animator with a background in freelance work and arts education, producing frame-by-frame 2D animation for teams and private clients while staying comfortable working within variable frame-rate requirements and production schedules.

Experienced across multiple disciplines—2D animation, game-play and cinematic animation, and engine workflows—partnering with both non-specialist clients and specialist collaborators to deliver on goals, troubleshoot technical issues, and research best-practice alternatives for optimal production.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced

Work Experience

TA: 3D Modeling and Animation at Stetson University
August 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021
Assisted students in learning contemporary versions of Maya, Mudbox, Unity, and Blender. Troubleshot technical problems and advised on workflow, best practices, and technical workarounds for class assignments and personal work, including guidance on using given production programs first and then implementing efficient production workflows.
STETS ON-FIEA SUMMER PROJECT GRANT (Game Production) at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy
April 1, 2019 - December 1, 2026
Produced a game from initial pitch to a playable prototype in 10 weeks in Unreal Engine 4. Transitioned from previous Unity experience to learning Unreal Engine 4 during the same period, applying animation and production techniques to support the prototype and delivery timeline.
Freelance Digital Artist (2D Animation / Game Animation)
April 1, 2019 - December 1, 2026
Produced work across multiple disciplines including illustration, frame-by-frame animation, and game development in different engines. Delivered animation for projects led by timelines and client needs, adapting to changing pipelines and requirements while maintaining production quality. Provided services aligned with export-ready workflows for engine integration (including Unity and Unreal) and supported both creative direction and technical implementation needs through the production process.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Digital Arts), minor in History at Stetson University
August 1, 2019 - May 1, 2022

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Gaming, Education, Media & Entertainment
    Youtuber Video Assets - The Fizzcave!
    Here I was commissioned to create a "Superhero Lair" for a youtuber client. The background includes references to their character's backstory and powers, the creator's social media presence, and for a comic book hero? Everything is PLASTERED in Kirby Dots! This commissioner actually asked me back for multiple seasonal redesigns and occasional upgrades to the fizzcave. check out the christmas](https://www.twine.net/signin and halloween](https://www.twine.net/signin versions as part of my illustration portfolio] youtube youtuberAssets comics illustrator…
    Digital Character Design Portfolio

    This “Project” is a link to my collection of credited projects as a character designer. [Click HERE to view my work](https://www.twine.net/signin on my personal artist site! (off-site link)

    My character design sensibility is informed by a mix of historical realism and cartoon fantasy, and my art style runs the gambit from stylized & silly to more illustrative work with more mellow and even horror imagery. Let me know what’s needed for your project and we’ll adjust!

    Visual Development, Marketing, & Game Development - TORCHED
    My capstone project in college was a game prototype called "TORCHED", which involved a playable prototype, an artbook (available on request) detailing the design process, and THIS illustration printed on a 3-foot poster. TORCHED is about a Rhys Qesser, grad-student elf who falls into an ancient ruin, and must find his way out. Unfortunately, Rhys is excitable, easily distracted, and his mentor is one of the greatest archaeologists of his time. He can't POSSIBLY leave without investigating the WHOLE ruin first, taking notes and touching everything! The characters that appear on the poster here are a fully intelligible script, notes on how to translate it appear in the artbook! gameDesign prototype gamePoster UnrealEngine FIEA Fantasy…
    Creature Design - Cute Monsters!
    My favorites from my creature design exercises over the years. A mix of original and more "precedented" fantasy creatures, put together here in a friendly cartoon style. CreatureDesign MonsterDesign…
    Fantasy Character Design - Ser Gawain
    One of my first big character design projects out of school. Character design for an animated project I ended up not being able to get funding for. Gawain from King Arthur mythos, imagined here with a green sash, and layers of leather padding + chain armor. characterDesign ConceptArt fantasy KingArthur…
    Fantasy Character Design - Marcus the Thief
    Was commissioned to create a fire-elemental rogue for a client's D&D game. Fantasy Tabletop Gaming characterDesign…
    Fantasy Illustration - MADAME EVA'S HAND OF FATE
    Was contacted by a friend and frequent client to do character art for their book project on DM's Guild. The book is called *Ravenloft: Madam Eva's Hand of Fate," and it releases on October 16 2026! Art used ahead of publishing with permission from project lead. illustrator Tabletop TTRPG Fantasy DMsGuild Portfolio Link: https://www.twine.net/signin Book Link: Go by the book once it comes out!!…