I’m a Senior 3D Animator and Lead 2D Designer who loves storytelling and analytics-driven creativity. I have a proven track record in mobile advertising for AAA franchises, plus experience in story-driven 3D character animation and educational book illustration. I excel at providing design support for international teams and I’m comfortable across Windows and iOS platforms. I’m a proactive collaborator, whether in the office or remotely, always aiming to elevate creative output in line with style guides, media trends, and company missions. I’m technically versatile, proficient with Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, and related tools, and I continuously expand my skillset to keep pace with a fast-evolving industry. I thrive on feedback and flexible collaboration, and I’m known for adapting quickly to new challenges while delivering high-quality work that resonates with audiences and stakeholders alike.

Justin Penfield

I’m a Senior 3D Animator and Lead 2D Designer who loves storytelling and analytics-driven creativity. I have a proven track record in mobile advertising for AAA franchises, plus experience in story-driven 3D character animation and educational book illustration. I excel at providing design support for international teams and I’m comfortable across Windows and iOS platforms. I’m a proactive collaborator, whether in the office or remotely, always aiming to elevate creative output in line with style guides, media trends, and company missions. I’m technically versatile, proficient with Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, and related tools, and I continuously expand my skillset to keep pace with a fast-evolving industry. I thrive on feedback and flexible collaboration, and I’m known for adapting quickly to new challenges while delivering high-quality work that resonates with audiences and stakeholders alike.

Available to hire

I’m a Senior 3D Animator and Lead 2D Designer who loves storytelling and analytics-driven creativity. I have a proven track record in mobile advertising for AAA franchises, plus experience in story-driven 3D character animation and educational book illustration. I excel at providing design support for international teams and I’m comfortable across Windows and iOS platforms. I’m a proactive collaborator, whether in the office or remotely, always aiming to elevate creative output in line with style guides, media trends, and company missions.

I’m technically versatile, proficient with Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, and related tools, and I continuously expand my skillset to keep pace with a fast-evolving industry. I thrive on feedback and flexible collaboration, and I’m known for adapting quickly to new challenges while delivering high-quality work that resonates with audiences and stakeholders alike.

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Work Experience

Senior 3D Animator, 2D Designer at Applovin
September 1, 2021 - October 1, 2024
AppLovin makes technologies that help businesses of every size connect to their ideal customers. The company provides end-to-end software and AI solutions for businesses to reach, monetize and grow their global audiences. For more information about AppLovin, visit: www.applovin.com.
Lead Designer at YouSpace, Inc
December 1, 2016 - December 1, 2020
It is my job to model, texture, illustrate, animate, and simulate design assets for game apps, commercials, and rapid concept prototyping. I do a variety of 2D and 3D animations for the company, along with some light rigging, modeling, cloth simulation, etc.
Senior 3D Animator, 2D Designer at AppLovin (SparkLabs)
January 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Produced 1-3 mobile/television advertisements per week for external clients, aligning assets with each client's genre/style and target mood. Created 3D models, illustrations, UI, and character animations; provided remote feedback to international design teams; led storyboards, scripts, and animatics for client approval; enhanced assets through illustration, editing, modeling, rigging, and animation; set up lighting, VFX, and rendering using Unreal Engine; integrated AI-generated images and audio to fit brand style guides; edited green-screen VO for explainer overlays; contributed to in-house AI and Unreal pipelines. Also volunteered on Audience Plus projects to respond to web design/ad requests within a day; co-titled the initial ads for a new in-house game and guided updates to match changes in game design.
Lead 3D Designer, Animator at YouSpace Lab
January 1, 2020 - September 15, 2025
Led rapid prototyping for gesture-recognition and motion-tracking applications; principal 3D designer/animator for interactive commercials. Produced 3D idle and reactive avatars, animation for TEK flagship product, plus 2D motion graphics and instructional videos. Coordinated with engineering to test and refine UI/UX, reducing polygon counts, optimizing textures, and integrating cloth simulation in Unreal Engine. Created storyboards and promotional materials for pitches and investor office tours.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
January 1, 2017 - September 15, 2025
Produced 2D animations for RinyoToons and educational content; illustrated backgrounds and characters for children’s books, including Uncle Matteh’s Farm and Five Little Monkeys; updated art styles and created turn-around sheets and style guides for onboarding designers; collaborated with translations to ensure visuals matched language timing; developed animation tests, mascot designs, and potential character caricatures.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
January 1, 2023 - September 15, 2025
Continued 2D animation work for educational and entertainment content; updated visuals to stay faithful to prior works, authored turn-around sheets, and supported translation alignment for Syrian translations; created potential future project visuals and character designs.
Pre-Production / Cleanup Artist at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
January 1, 2017 - September 15, 2025
Contributed to storyboard and animatics for student film Chiaroscuro; provided feedback to modelers and riggers; created test animations for avian characters; supported a turnaround for delayed projects as a weekend volunteer.
Senior 3D Animator, 2D Designer at AppLovin (SparkLabs)
January 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Produced 1-3 mobile/television advertisements weekly for external clients; led storyboard/animatics; managed remote feedback to international teams; created 3D models, illustrations, UI, and character animations; enhanced assets via illustration, photo editing, modeling, rig editing, and animation; set up environments, lighting, VFX, and sequences in Unreal Engine for rendering; edited AI-generated images/videos/audios to align with client style guides; used green screen footage and VO for explainer overlays; contributed to interactive 3D ads and AI integration into the creative pipeline; helped standardize Unreal Engine rendering; volunteered for Audience Plus projects and co-led in-house ad batch development.
Lead 3D Designer, Animator at YouSpace Lab
December 31, 2020 - September 15, 2025
Core 3D designer for interactive applications and rapid prototyping; led advertising for flagship TEK product; created internal instructional video and all related storyboards, 2D motion graphics, and 3D animation; beta-tested features with engineering for gesture recognition and UI/UX; contributed to interactive store experiences and animation for marketing.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
December 31, 2017 - September 15, 2025
Contract designer for non-profit organization focused on language preservation and children's education; produced 2D animations for RinyoToons; illustrated backgrounds and characters for children's books; updated art style and created turn-around sheets and style guides; collaborated with translations to ensure visuals matched meaning and timing.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
December 31, 2023 - September 15, 2025
Contract designer for non-profit organization; produced 2D animations for RinyoToons; illustrated backgrounds and characters for children's books; updated art style; created animation tests, mascot designs, and caricatures for potential projects; collaborated with translations and producers.
Senior 3D Animator, 2D Designer at AppLovin (SparkLabs)
January 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Produced 1-3 mobile/TV advertisements per week for external clients, promoting mobile games, cosmetics, and health products. Led storyboards, scripts, and animatics; created 3D models, illustrations, UI, and character animations; enhanced existing assets via illustration, photo editing, modeling, rig editing, and animation. Set up environments, lighting, VFX, and rendering using client assets and in-house assets; edited AI-generated images, video, and audio to align with client style guides. Managed remote feedback with international design teams and contributed to AI/pipeline innovation and Unreal Engine rendering.
Lead 3D Designer, Animator at YouSpace Lab
January 1, 2020 - September 15, 2025
Core 3D designer and lead advertiser for interactive applications and rapid prototyping of gesture recognition and motion-tracking experiences. Led the creation of 3D idle/reactive avatars, cloth simulations, and optimized polygon counts; produced instructional videos and 2D motion graphics for internal and client-facing demos; collaborated with engineering for improved UI/UX and interactive experiences.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
January 1, 2017 - September 15, 2025
First period (Remote): Contract designer for a non-profit focused on language preservation and children’s education. Produced 2D animations for RinyoToons, illustrated backgrounds and characters for children’s books, updated art styles, and created turnaround sheets and style guides. Coordinated with translations to ensure visuals matched meaning and timing; created animation tests and mascot designs.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
January 1, 2023 - September 15, 2025
Second period (Remote): Continued contract work on education-focused content; produced animations for RinyoToons, illustrated new book assets, and updated character designs while aligning with translations and timing; contributed to potential future projects with mascot and test animation assets.
Pre-Production / Cleanup Artist at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
January 1, 2017 - September 15, 2025
Supported student films with storyboards and animatics; provided feedback to modelers/riggers to improve animation on human characters; created test animations and assisted with cleanup; volunteered weekends to ensure swift project turnaround.
Senior 3D Animator, 2D Designer at AppLovin (SparkLabs)
January 1, 2024 - September 15, 2025
Produced 1-3 mobile/television advertisements weekly for external clients, adapting assets to client genres/styles and guiding projects from concept to final render. Led storyboards, scripts, and animatics based on ad analytics, created custom 3D models, illustrations, UI elements, and character animations, and enhanced assets through illustration, photo editing, modeling, rig editing, and animation. Set up environments, lighting, and VFX for high-quality renders; edited AI-generated images, video, and audio to fit brand guides; utilized green screen footage and VO for explainer overlays. Coordinated with international design teams, providing remote feedback and maintaining quality. Drove Unreal Engine-based rendering and contributed to AI integration within the pipeline. Co-titled the initial batch of in-house game ads and created concept videos to gauge audience interest. Volunteered on Audience Plus initiatives to attract new clients.
Lead 3D Designer, Animator at YouSpace Lab
January 1, 2020 - September 15, 2025
Led core 3D design for interactive applications and rapid prototyping for developer R&D and investor pitches. Served as lead advertiser for TEK, producing 3D idle/reactive animations and instructional content. Beta-tested product with engineering to improve user interactions (gesture recognition/UI/UX) and created 3D assets for Project MIR (interactive smart mirror) including rigging, cloth simulation, and texture optimization. Created 3D layouts, motion graphics, and animations for in-store experiences and instructional videos.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
January 1, 2017 - September 15, 2025
Contract designer for a nonprofit focused on language preservation and children’s education. Produced 2D animations for RinyoToons and illustrated backgrounds and characters for children’s books. Updated art styles and created turnaround sheets and style guides for onboarding. Collaborated with translations to ensure visuals matched meaning and timing; developed animation tests, mascot designs, and caricatures for future projects.
Animator, Illustrator at Rinyo Inc.
January 1, 2023 - September 15, 2025
Contract designer for nonprofit education content. Produced YouTube animations, updated book illustrations, and developed style guides for consistency across translations. Collaborated on turnarounds and onboarding visuals; contributed to mascot and character designs for campaigns.
Pre-Production, Cleanup Artist at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
January 1, 2017 - September 15, 2025
Participated in student films, contributed to storyboards and animatics, provided feedback to modelers/riggers, created test animations for character work, and supported rapid turnaround of projects during college productions.

Education

Bachelors of Art at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
September 1, 2013 - July 1, 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Art & Animation at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
January 11, 2030 - September 15, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Art & Animation at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Art & Animation at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Art & Animation at Cogswell Polytechnical College (University of Silicon Valley)
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2017

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Gaming, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Retail, Other