I am a detail-oriented and highly creative layout and storyboard artist with a strong focus on cinematic composition, camera direction, pacing, and shot duration to convey emotion, relationships, and visual clarity across animation and game projects. I translate scripts and design intent into clear, executable camera, layout, and storyboard solutions; I have hands-on experience in environment design and digital matte painting, and I collaborate across disciplines to maintain visual consistency and narrative cohesion in fast-paced pipelines. I also bring leadership and cross-department coordination skills, and I adapt quickly to new styles and tight deadlines in animation and game production.…

Cran Zhou

PRO

I am a detail-oriented and highly creative layout and storyboard artist with a strong focus on cinematic composition, camera direction, pacing, and shot duration to convey emotion, relationships, and visual clarity across animation and game projects. I translate scripts and design intent into clear, executable camera, layout, and storyboard solutions; I have hands-on experience in environment design and digital matte painting, and I collaborate across disciplines to maintain visual consistency and narrative cohesion in fast-paced pipelines. I also bring leadership and cross-department coordination skills, and I adapt quickly to new styles and tight deadlines in animation and game production.…

Next availability:
June 10, 2026

I am a detail-oriented and highly creative layout and storyboard artist with a strong focus on cinematic composition, camera direction, pacing, and shot duration to convey emotion, relationships, and visual clarity across animation and game projects. I translate scripts and design intent into clear, executable camera, layout, and storyboard solutions; I have hands-on experience in environment design and digital matte painting, and I collaborate across disciplines to maintain visual consistency and narrative cohesion in fast-paced pipelines. I also bring leadership and cross-department coordination skills, and I adapt quickly to new styles and tight deadlines in animation and game production.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Chinese
Fluent

Work Experience

Environment Artist & 2D Designer at Howling Wolf Games
May 11, 2025 - August 17, 2025
Independently completed storyboards and layout design for the main menu and core scenes, designing narrative-driven shots to support promotional content and enhance emotional impact and character presence for videos and marketing materials. Designed various in-game assets, including weapons, projectiles, UI visual effects, and characters.
Animator & 2D Designer at Lushan Qianli Fresh Egg Farming Co., Ltd.
June 2, 2023 - January 20, 2024
Independently produced three 2D animated promotional shorts for company products from start to finish; the videos gained thousands of views across social media platforms after release and contributed to increased consumer engagement. Designed a series of original 2D characters for the company’s products and integrated them into both packaging design and animated content; the character designs became the primary visual identity on product packaging and continue to be used.
animation tutor at Sichuan Global Alliance Education Consulting Co., Ltd.
June 2, 2023 - August 19, 2023
Instructed and mentored 15 students in storyboard, figure drawing, and layout design, with an emphasis on character emotion, cinematic pacing, and visual storytelling, resulting in measurable improvements in their skills.
Environment Artist & 2D Designer at Sichuan Huanqiu Yilian Education Consultation Co., Ltd
May 2, 2025 - August 20, 2025
Instructed and mentored 15 students in storyboarding, figure drawing, and layout design, with emphasis on character emotion, cinematic pacing, and visual storytelling, resulting in measurable improvements in their skills.
Animator & 2D Designer at Sheridan College
June 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Colored characters for two student thesis films, completing character color design across approximately 20 major scenes; collaborated efficiently with a 30-person production team, contributing to an accelerated schedule and successful early project completion.
Animator & 2D Designer at Lushan Qianli Fresh Egg Farming Co., Ltd.
November 1, 2024 - April 1, 2025
Independently produced three 2D animated promotional shorts for company products from start to finish; the videos gained thousands of views across social media platforms after release and contributed to increased consumer engagement. Designed a series of original 2D characters for the company’s products and integrated them into both packaging design and animated content; the character designs became the primary visual identity on product packaging and continue to be used.

Education

Bachelor of Animation at Sheridan College
September 1, 2022 - April 23, 2026

Qualifications

19th place 2023 24 hours global animation contest
October 11, 2023 - October 11, 2023
Designed all layouts and painted all backgrounds for the film, ensuring visual consistency with the overall style and narrative setting. Contributed the final story concept and script writing for the team, and led the design of key shots. Independently completed all post-production work, including compositing, sound design, and editing. Rapidly adapted to an unfamiliar art style under extreme time constraints, efficiently delivering all visual assets within the limited production window.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Gaming

Skills

Experience Level