Juan David Molano Garzon

Available to hire

Hi, I’m a freelancer who specializes in 2D Cut-Out Animation, yet I am highly adaptable to Traditional Animation.

About

Hi, I’m a freelancer who specializes in 2D Cut-Out Animation, yet I am highly adaptable to Traditional Animation. My primary focus is bringing characters to life through fluid movement, convincing acting, and a deep mastery of animation principles using Toon Boom Harmony. While my core expertise lies in 2D animation, I provide a comprehensive production skillset as a 2D technical rigger, storyboard artist, illustrator, and designer of both characters and backgrounds.

I am highly proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Storyboard Pro, which allows me to transition seamlessly from initial illustration and background design to final scene assembly and animation.

What differentiates me is my 360-degree understanding of the 2D pipeline. Because I am an animator who also builds rigs and designs the assets, I have a unique ability to anticipate and solve technical bottlenecks before they even reach the timeline. I don’t just create visuals; I engineer functional, expressive assets that are optimized for performance, ensuring that every character and environment I develop is as production-ready as it is visually compelling.

  • Joined April 2026

Languages

  • EnglishFluent
  • Spanish; CastilianFluent

Industry experience

  • Media & Entertainment

More experts in Toronto, Canada

Projects · 6

"Miyako vs. The Vending Machine" (Character Action Animation)

This animation features Miyako, a combat-specialist android, facing a mundane situation she interprets as a threat. When a vending machine fails to deliver her candy, she approaches the problem with absolute seriousness, preparing to 'defeat' it as if it were a formidable enemy. The project focuses on action animation, showcasing mastery of timing, clear choreography, and physical performance. It demonstrates the ability to convey character intent and personality through the physics of movement and impact. animator

  • 2D Animator
  • Background Designer
  • Character Designer
  • +1
"Broke" (Character Acting & Dialogue Animation)

Based on audio from The Karate Kid, this animation features SmileZ in a relatable yet exaggerated scenario. After his card is declined at an ATM late at night, his frustration boils over as he talks back to the machine, creating a high-intensity emotional contrast. ​ The project centers on character acting, exploring subtext and narrative clarity. Special emphasis was placed on defining beats, crafting key poses and facial expressions, and implementing moving holds. The piece integrates core animation principles and precise lip-sync, alongside secondary actions that reinforce the character’s believability. SmileZ Design by Nic Parris Smilez Rig by Jordan Beatty

  • 2D Animator
  • Background Designer
"Hellish Shenanigans" (Character Acting & Dialogue Animation)

This character study, featuring the Miss Little Hell Raiser rig, is based on a classic dialogue clip from the film Super Troopers. Set in a 'Hellish Daycare' environment, the animation follows the character as she vents her frustration to a giant teddy bear. The core objective of this piece was to master character acting and lip-sync within a high-energy dialogue sequence. I focused on translating the vocal intensity into clear acting beats and facial expressions, while incorporating secondary actions—such as her tail or ears —to add weight and believability to her performance. Miss Little Hellraiser Rig created by Eduardo 'Bruks' animator background design compositing video

  • 2D Animator
  • Background Designer
Miyako Suzuki (Female Character Rig)

Miyako is an original character rig in Toon Boom Harmony designed to showcase high-energy action and combat performance. Inspired by Japanese Cyberpunk, the design merges traditional aesthetics with futuristic technology. Key features include her signature long black jacket with vibrant color accents, medium-length white hair, and striking dark pink eyes. Technically, this rig was built to handle dynamic posing and complex movement, ensuring a seamless blend of style and functionality for action-heavy sequences. characterdesign rigging

  • Character Designer
  • Character Rigger
"Trashy Attitude" (Animatic Collaborative Project)

This collaborative project tells the story of a mouse cornered by a cat in a 1970s New York City alleyway, only to be unexpectedly saved by a stray dog he used to tease. Through this encounter, the story explores themes of prejudice and empathy within a lighthearted narrative and a strong moral core. Now in the production stage, the project features a fully developed scene analysis, storyboard, and animatic, establishing a solid foundation for an extended narrative with a clear and effective rhythm. As a collaborative effort, this project highlights my ability to thrive in a team environment, showcasing skills in communication, leadership, and time management across a multi-stage production pipeline. Final Composite by Fernando Barroeta Guarneros (https://www.twine.net/signin Script by Matthew Warren (https://www.twine.net/signin Co-Storyboard Artist by Muhundaan Shanmugam (https://www.twine.net/signin

  • Character Designer
  • Storyboard Artist
"Tangled in Wool" (Animal Acting Animatic)

This project features Layla and Jerry, two cats with clashing personalities living under the same roof. The story follows Layla’s interrupted nap as she discovers Jerry has managed to get himself hopelessly tangled in a ball of wool. Though she reacts with her signature grumpiness, she decides to help him in her own unique way, leading to an unexpected and comedic resolution. This project focuses on demonstrating my ability to handle diverse character types, specifically animals, and the nuanced interaction between them. By exploring their contrasting personalities, I aim to build a brief yet effective comedic narrative. As the sole creator of this project, I handled the entire pre-production pipeline. This includes the original character designs for both Layla and Jerry, as well as the development of thumbnails, storyboards, and animatic to define the acting and cinematic flow before production. animator

  • Character Designer
  • Storyboard Artist

Work experience

Residence Services Representative · George Brown ResidenceApr 2025 – Feb 2026 · 11 mos

Delivered front desk support, resolving guest and student inquiries in person, by phone, and by email. Managed check-ins/outs, reservations, payments, and account updates using internal software. Maintained professionalism and a positive attitude while multitasking in a fast-paced environment.

Tour Guide · Durham CollegeMar 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

Led campus tours, providing engaging insights to prospective students and guests about Durham College.

Education

Animation - Digital Production (3-Year Advanced Diploma) · Durham College2022 – 2025

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