Hi, I’m Matthew Gjura, a versatile 3D animator and 2D character designer with a passion for turning concepts into expressive characters and immersive visuals. I collaborate closely with teams and clients to lead end-to-end production, from initial concept art to polished rigging and animation, across both remote and in-person settings. My work spans character design, 3D modeling, rigging, shading, and facial animation, with a focus on storytelling through visuals. When I’m not animating, I enjoy volunteering, mentoring, and exploring new tools like Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine, and various Adobe Creative Cloud apps to craft compelling visuals for games, film, and marketing projects. I thrive in collaborative, creative environments and value a positive, fun team culture.…

Matthew Gjura

Hi, I’m Matthew Gjura, a versatile 3D animator and 2D character designer with a passion for turning concepts into expressive characters and immersive visuals. I collaborate closely with teams and clients to lead end-to-end production, from initial concept art to polished rigging and animation, across both remote and in-person settings. My work spans character design, 3D modeling, rigging, shading, and facial animation, with a focus on storytelling through visuals. When I’m not animating, I enjoy volunteering, mentoring, and exploring new tools like Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine, and various Adobe Creative Cloud apps to craft compelling visuals for games, film, and marketing projects. I thrive in collaborative, creative environments and value a positive, fun team culture.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Matthew Gjura, a versatile 3D animator and 2D character designer with a passion for turning concepts into expressive characters and immersive visuals. I collaborate closely with teams and clients to lead end-to-end production, from initial concept art to polished rigging and animation, across both remote and in-person settings. My work spans character design, 3D modeling, rigging, shading, and facial animation, with a focus on storytelling through visuals.

When I’m not animating, I enjoy volunteering, mentoring, and exploring new tools like Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine, and various Adobe Creative Cloud apps to craft compelling visuals for games, film, and marketing projects. I thrive in collaborative, creative environments and value a positive, fun team culture.

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Language

English
Fluent
Japanese
Beginner

Work Experience

Graphic Artist / Internship at Insightful Metrics
September 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024
Created graphic illustrations for various clients with a vision of product. Connected with team to achieve goal of clients’ vision. Participated in weekly working sessions to review project deliverables.
Graphic Artist / Manager at Uncle Louie G Italian Ices & Ice Cream
April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2023
Created and maintained digital menus, logos, and graphic design for print and digital media. Designed and implemented a digital marketing plan for social media platforms. Assisted in website creation, design, and maintenance. Served as team leader responsible for shift duties and led training for new team members.
Animator at Kozmik Dragon Animation Studioz
September 1, 2024 - Present
Created character designs and concept art references for objects and props to support the 3D workflow; planned key design factors; delivered clean UV maps with non-overlapping UVs; built unique rigs for characters, objects, and props; drafted multiple facial expressions and 2D facial animation rigs.
Self Employed at Everyday Studios
March 1, 2023 - Present
Specialized in character design and concept art for diverse clients and in-house projects. Led front-to-back production to ensure smooth workflows and a welcoming team environment.
Volunteer Camera Operator at Nona Church Narcoossee Campus
June 1, 2025 - Present
Volunteered with camera operating for two church services on Saturdays. Communicated with team leader and team members through headset as a main form of communication to approach visionary goal on how to present live recordings of weekend worship services to make sure are upload ready. Asked questions about anything related to operating assigned camera when it comes to achieving goal is being visualized.
Animator at Kozmik Dragon Animation Studioz
September 1, 2024 - Present
Created character designs and concept art references for objects, and props are ready to be used to help and envision the 3D process by planning out key factors on specific design preferences. Provided clean UV maps, and made sure no UVs overlap each other in case any minor or major detail(s) needs to be added. Provided a unique rig for each character, object(s), and prop(s) ready for animation. Drew different facial expressions for eyes and mouth and created 2D facial animations rigs for each respective facial part.
Animator at Kozmik Dragon Animation Studioz
September 1, 2024 - Present
Created character designs and concept art references; prepared objects and props; produced clean UV maps and non-overlapping UVs; developed unique rigs; drafted facial expressions and 2D facial animation rigs.
Volunteer at Nona Church Narcoossee Campus
June 1, 2025 - October 29, 2025
Operated camera for two church services on Saturdays; collaborated with team via headset to present live recordings of weekend worship services; asked clarifying questions to ensure upload-ready recordings.
Animator at Kozmik Dragon Animation Studioz
September 1, 2024 - October 29, 2025
Created character designs and concept art references; prepared clean UV maps; developed unique rigs for characters, objects, and props for animation; designed facial expressions and 2D facial animation rigs.
Self-Employed / Character Designer & Concept Artist at Everyday Studios
March 1, 2023 - October 29, 2025
Specialized in character design and concept art for diverse clients and in-house projects; led front-to-back production to ensure smooth workflow and a welcoming team environment.
Graphic Artist at Insightful Metrics
January 31, 2024 - January 31, 2024
Designed 1-3 weekly graphic illustrations based on photographic references; coordinated with Project Manager; planned weekly sessions to review deliverables and meet client vision.
Manager at Uncle Louie G Italian Ices & Ice Cream
March 31, 2023 - March 31, 2023
Designed and maintained two digital menus and related graphic design for print and digital media; implemented a digital marketing plan across social platforms; led weekday shift duties and served as lead trainer for new team members.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation at Full Sail University
September 28, 2020 - February 3, 2023
Bachelor of Science at Full Sail University
January 1, 2019 - February 28, 2023
Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation (B.S.) at Full Sail University
January 11, 2030 - February 1, 2023
Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation (B.S.) at Full Sail University
January 11, 2030 - February 1, 2023
Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation (B.S.) at Full Sail University
January 11, 2030 - February 1, 2023
Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation (B.S.) at Full Sail University
January 11, 2030 - February 1, 2023

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Gaming, Software & Internet, Other
    paper Something Screwy | Full Sail University Character Animation | Animation Breakdown Reel

    Hello everyone! Here is an updated version of Something Screwy dialogue animation I’ve done few months back. But instead of just showing the final animation, I thought it would be nice to present it in a breakdown reel showing my process from start to finish. The feedback given to make the final animation look stronger wasn’t anything to major to work with.

    Software(s) Used:

    Autodesk Maya
    Adobe Premiere Pro

    Storyboarding Was Done Traditionally On Paper

    All 3D Character Rig(s) & Environment Assets Have Been Provided by Full Sail University

    Something Screwy Audio from Room Service (1938)

    #characteranimation #3danimation #animation #fullsailuniversity #fullsailcomputeranimation #fullsailcharacteranimation #autodeskmaya #maya3danimation #adobepremierepro #breakdownreel #reel #storyboard #blockinganimation #breakdowns #fromstarttofinish

    paper 3D Animation II Reel

    3D Animation II demo reel I’ve made of the animations I’ve worked on during the past month.

    Table Asset by Xtreme Arts

    Lowpoly Floating Island 3D Model by Khalid Malik

    All Remaining Assets Have Been Provided by Full Sail University

    #3danimation #animation #fullsailuniversity #fullsailcomputeranimation
    #fullsailauditclasses #fullsailcharacteranimation #characteranimation #autodeskmaya #maya3danimation #fullsail3danimation2 #fullsail3danimation2demoreel #animationreel #demoreel #auditclass #adobepremierepro

    uniE608 Full Sail University 3D Animation 1 Final Project Breakdown Reel
    Just a simple animation I worked on during the final week of my 3D Animation 1 audit class, which involved creating the movement for the 3D layout provided. Animation done by Me 3D Layout & Remaining Assets have been provided by Full Sail University 3danimation animation fullsailuniversity fullsailcomputeranimation fullsailauditclasses fullsailcharacteranimation characteranimation autodeskmaya maya3danimation fullsail3danimation1 fullsail3danimation1week4reel reel auditclass…
    uniE608 Gimme 5 Words Dialogue/Lip-Sync Exercise
    Here’s another exercise I worked on for my Project & Portfolio 5 audit class during week 3. The exercise this time involves creating a lip-sync animation based on the audio provided. I am no stranger when it comes to animating dialogue, but it never hurts to give activities like this to try to improve yourself more. Lip-Sync/Dialogue Animation done by Me All Assets have been provided by Full Sail University 3danimation animation fullsailuniversity fullsailcomputeranimation fullsailauditclasses fullsailcharacteranimation fullsailprojectandportfolio fullsailprojectandportfolio5 autodeskmaya maya3danimation bonusactivity bonusassignment bonusexercise dialogueexercise lipsyncing lipsyncanimation dialogueanimation practice practiceactivity practiceassignment practiceexercise fullsailauditclasses animator…
    uniE608 Dope Sheet Timing Adjustment Exercise
    Here is an exercise I worked on during the second week of my Project & Portfolio 5 audit class, which involved adjusting the timing for the animation shown using the dope sheet. I made a before and after video in Premiere Pro comparing what the animation looked like when I opened the scene for the first time (before), and what it now looks like after I refined the timing in certain areas (after). Time Adjustment & Comparison Video done by Me All Assets have been provided by Full Sail University 3danimation animation fullsailuniversity fullsailcomputeranimation fullsailauditclasses fullsailcharacteranimation fullsailprojectandportfolio fullsailprojectandportfolio5 autodeskmaya maya3danimation practice practiceactivity practiceassignment practiceexercise dopesheetexercise timingexercise beforeandafter comparison adobeprimierepro…
    uniE608 Full Sail Character Animation Parent Constraint Practice Activity
    This is a practice activity I’ve done during week 2 of my Character Animation audit course which involves applying a constraint to the dice ball into the animated arm and then animating the dice ball after the arm let’s go of it. Parent constraint animated by Me All Assets have been provided by Full Sail University 3danimation animation fullsailuniversity fullsailcomputeranimation fullsailcharacteranimation animationconstraints parentconstraints autodeskmaya maya3danimation practice practiceactivity practiceassignment…
    uniE621 Best Friends Forever!! :3
    He's something I've been working that features a few original characters of mine. Gnocchi (the blue cat the middle), Tria (the girl in the bottom left corner and Gnocchi's childhood BFF), and Trip (the red triangle who is Tria's pet). As I progress through this drawing, I wanted it to give off the feeling that it was drawn by Gnocchi as a gift to his childhood best friend Tria and her pet Trip for just being awesome friends for life and enjoying the adventures they all had together. You may certain shapes in the background the represent the three main characters you see here, the rest of the shapes will represent others characters you will see later in the future. The first time I sketched Gnocchi was in Junior year of high school when I was in geometry class. Of course I was probably bored so I wanted to doodle a little anime kitty head for fun, and that's just pretty much how Buru first came to be. As for Tria, pretty much the same reason as Gnocchi but her design was way different. In fact her first design look pretty similar to Trip's but the only difference was that she was a yellow triangle and she only had arms instead of legs. I decided to update her design to be a human here because I thought it would be too simplistic. So I also incorporated that idea to Trip instead since he would act like a goofy little pet of some sorts rather than a cautious figure for Gnocchi. (Will come out with descriptions for these characters when I create individual character bio art for them) Overall, I really enjoyed how everything came out. Especially with the background looks like it was done in watercolor paint, and the shapes and characters look like they were done in crayon to give off that innocent mixed-media look feel to it. (Note: Buru was the oldest name I had for Gnocchi at the time before I started to think about experimenting his design) characterdesign originalcharacterdesigns ocs drawing doodle shapes colorfulcolorfulart bffs clipstudiopaint clipstudiopaintpro perspective drawnbycharacterperspective characterintroduction gifttofriends…
    uniE621 Principal Blood E. Clot Original Character Pixel Art Design
    Here is a pixel art project I've worked on of a character I came up with called 'Principal Blood E. Clot'. As shown in the name, He is a High School Principal who is a blood-formed humanoid, that is pretty laid back. But when you do get him to his angry side, oh boy lemme tell you, It ain't going to be pretty. I wanted to work on pixel art to show off a variety of art styles I can achieve, and due to Blood E. Clot's stick figure-like appearance, I felt he would be the best to practice to get started on pixel art. The software I used to create this project is called FireAlpaca. pixelart pixel art firealpaca originalcharacter originalart original prinicpaloccupation principal highschoolprincipal bloodformedhumanoidcharacter laidbackprincipal digitalart digital…
    uniE621 Self-Portrait Study
    A Self Portrait Study I've worked on so I can improve on the different types of art styles to work with under my belt. illustrator art work selfportrait portraitstudy portraitdrawing traditional traditionalart sketch traditionalsketch traditionalmedia traditionaldrymedia…
    uniE621 No Clothes Johnny Original Character Design Concept
    Here is a character I created called 'No Clothes Johnny' for a fairytale story that I had an idea for under the same name. The line drawing was done in Adobe Illustrator and the final color and details were done in Adobe Photoshop. original originalcharacter originalartwork 2d 2dart digitalart digitalartwork digital2d drawing 2ddesign characterillustration characteridea fairytale fairytalecharacter characterdesign concept conceptart conceptdesign adobeillustrator adobephotoshop digital…
    uniE621 Categories of Emotion Infographic
    Here is a little project I did back in April of an infographic listing out the categories of each primary emotion mentioned in the post (Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Calmness). My favorite part of this project was adding the little characters to replicate the emotion they are representing. graphicdesign adobephotoshop infographic emotions happiness sadness anger fear calmness skytheme sun raincloud thundercloud windgust crescentmoon practiceproject practice madefromscratch project graphicdesigner…
    uniE608 Matthew Gjura Computer Animation Demo Reel 2023
    An updated version of my animation demo reel I have worked on for Q1 of 2023. animator video digital3d characteranimation computeranimation 3d 3danimation animationreel demoreel reel roughcut autodeskmaya animationreel2023 q12023 final fullsailuniversity…