Connor Smith is a Senior Animator, Game Artist, and Creative Director with 8+ years of experience producing high-impact animation and visual content for games, brands, and digital media. Co-Founder of Ritual Studios and Lead Artist on a shipped indie game titled "Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson" on Steam, responsible for art direction, animation, and asset production from concept through launch. Proven track record collaborating with publishers, creative teams, and major brands including Giphy, Honda, Monster Energy, ESPN/X Games, and Bones Wheels. Skilled in 2D animation, effects, motion graphics, rotoscoping, and visual storytelling across games, social media, and video platforms, with work generating billions of views. Holds a B.A. in Game Art with international study and award recognition for innovation in game design.

Connor Smith

Connor Smith is a Senior Animator, Game Artist, and Creative Director with 8+ years of experience producing high-impact animation and visual content for games, brands, and digital media. Co-Founder of Ritual Studios and Lead Artist on a shipped indie game titled "Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson" on Steam, responsible for art direction, animation, and asset production from concept through launch. Proven track record collaborating with publishers, creative teams, and major brands including Giphy, Honda, Monster Energy, ESPN/X Games, and Bones Wheels. Skilled in 2D animation, effects, motion graphics, rotoscoping, and visual storytelling across games, social media, and video platforms, with work generating billions of views. Holds a B.A. in Game Art with international study and award recognition for innovation in game design.

Available to hire

Connor Smith is a Senior Animator, Game Artist, and Creative Director with 8+ years of experience producing high-impact animation and visual content for games, brands, and digital media. Co-Founder of Ritual Studios and Lead Artist on a shipped indie game titled “Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson” on Steam, responsible for art direction, animation, and asset production from concept through launch. Proven track record collaborating with publishers, creative teams, and major brands including Giphy, Honda, Monster Energy, ESPN/X Games, and Bones Wheels. Skilled in 2D animation, effects, motion graphics, rotoscoping, and visual storytelling across games, social media, and video platforms, with work generating billions of views. Holds a B.A. in Game Art with international study and award recognition for innovation in game design.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder at Ritual Studios
January 1, 2017 - Present
Founded Ritual Studios and led All Animations in Fretless: The Wrath of Rif fs as Lead Artist, including art direction and clean-up of all visual aspects and assets. Responsible for shipping the title on Steam as an indie team, coordinating with publishers, and collaborating to bring the vision to life.
Animator / Contractor at Giphy, Inc
January 1, 2020 - Present
Recruited and commissioned to create 15 original animations for use in campaigns.
Animator at Cartuna Video Production
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Constructed 10 rotoscoped skateboarding animations.
Illustrator / Graphic Designer at Shred.Co
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Illustrated and produced original graphics to be reproduced in bulk fabrication of skateboard decks.
Designer / Animator at Skate.Now
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Formulated and created the complete visual/graphic/animation design for Skate.Now and its merchandise.
Animator at Spirit Juice Studios
May 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Contributed animation for Emmy Award-winning short film Salve Regina.
Animator / Graphic Designer at X Games / ESPN
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Retained to generate animation effects and editing for Paul Hart's Real Street Video Underground Skate Shop; produced branded graphics for proprietary sports equipment.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Game Art at Columbia College
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2016
Game and Interactive Media Design at Victoria University of Wellington
September 1, 2013 - December 1, 2013

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet