I'm Peter Carlson, a multidisciplinary motion designer and animator based in Arlington, VA. I specialize in 2D animation, illustration, and motion design for brands and media platforms. My work has been featured with Mashable, Giphy, Dell Interactive, and other partners, blending playful visuals with clear storytelling. I enjoy collaborating with writers, editors, and data analysts to craft content that resonates on social feeds and editorial channels. When I'm not animating, I like exploring VR drawing tools and new motion tech to push visual storytelling further.…

Peter Carlson

I'm Peter Carlson, a multidisciplinary motion designer and animator based in Arlington, VA. I specialize in 2D animation, illustration, and motion design for brands and media platforms. My work has been featured with Mashable, Giphy, Dell Interactive, and other partners, blending playful visuals with clear storytelling. I enjoy collaborating with writers, editors, and data analysts to craft content that resonates on social feeds and editorial channels. When I'm not animating, I like exploring VR drawing tools and new motion tech to push visual storytelling further.…

Available to hire

I’m Peter Carlson, a multidisciplinary motion designer and animator based in Arlington, VA. I specialize in 2D animation, illustration, and motion design for brands and media platforms. My work has been featured with Mashable, Giphy, Dell Interactive, and other partners, blending playful visuals with clear storytelling.

I enjoy collaborating with writers, editors, and data analysts to craft content that resonates on social feeds and editorial channels. When I’m not animating, I like exploring VR drawing tools and new motion tech to push visual storytelling further.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Animator at Mashable
December 1, 2017 - October 14, 2025
Created and animated motion graphics and illustrations reflecting Mashable's editorial voice for web and social content; designed and produced 8-12 themed vertical compositions weekly for Mashable Reels; collaborated with video producers and internal teams to support daily content; developed branding assets and animated content for events such as SXSW 2015-2017.
Freelance Animator at Giphy
September 1, 2016 - October 14, 2025
Created a series of original GIFs for branded campaigns with clients including Nike and Fox; produced themed GIFs for the 'reaction' section; designed and animated daily content for Snapchat Discover; created animations reflecting personal style and brand voice for Instagram/Vine; tested VR drawing software and performed live shows.
Designer at Ceros
February 1, 2019 - October 14, 2025
Designed interactive experiences for desktop and mobile based on Ceros Originals editorial content, combining illustrations, animations, data visualization, character animation, motion design, typography, and cinemagraph GIFs; collaborated with a team of designers, writers, editors, and data analysts to develop concepts for weekly organic content.
Senior Animator at Holler
March 1, 2020 - October 14, 2025
Created and presented decks and mood boards for topical content; delivered educational demonstrations on specific animation skills; brainstormed and designed concepts for branded and organic content; collaborated with a studio team and cross-functional partners to exceed client expectations for brands including Venmo, Tinder, Coca-Cola, Reebok, Chipotle, Marriott, Baidu, and more.
Motion Designer (Remote) at Wpromote
January 1, 2023 - October 14, 2025
Collaborated with designers, editors and project managers to produce high-quality content for advertisers; developed motion graphics, illustration and animation to convey client messages; managed file organization and participated in group brainstorming; clients included REEF, Avail, Yummly, Purple Carrot, Honeywell, PUR, and others.
Animator at Mashable
December 1, 2017 - October 14, 2025
Created a series of original GIFs for branded campaigns including Nike and Fox; designed and animated daily content for Snapchat Discover; produced animations and illustrations reflecting personal style for Instagram/Vine; contributed to Mashable Reels and SXSW 2015-2017 visuals; collaborated with video teams and editors; developed 8-12 themed vertical compositions weekly; created digital & print assets for branding.
Designer at Ceros
February 1, 2019 - October 14, 2025
Designed interactive experiences for desktop and mobile based on Ceros Originals editorial content; combined illustrations, animations, data visualization, character animation, motion design, typography and cinemagraph GIFs; worked with writers, editors and data analysts to develop concepts and conduct weekly editorial content research.
Senior Animator at Holler
March 1, 2020 - October 14, 2025
Created and presented decks and mood boards for topical content; gave educational demonstrations on animation skills and techniques; participated in weekly brainstorms to design and animate concepts; collaborated with a studio team of designers and animators to enrich conversations globally; worked with sales and client partner teams to meet and exceed brand expectations (Venmo, Tinder, Coca-Cola, Reebok, Chipotle, Marriott, Baidu, and more).
Freelance Animator at Giphy
September 1, 2016 - October 14, 2025
Created a series of original GIFs for branded campaigns; developed themed GIFs for the reactions section; designed and animated daily content for social platforms; produced personal-style animations for Instagram/Vine; tested VR drawing software and engaged with live audiences; assisted video producers with motion graphics and custom typography.
Motion Designer (Remote) at Wpromote
January 1, 2023 - October 14, 2025
Collaborated with a team of designers, editors and project managers to create high-quality content for advertisers; developed and executed solutions to communicate client messages using video, animation, motion graphics and illustration; managed efficiency and file organization; participated in group brainstorming, developing mockups, storyboards and visual concepts; clients included REEF, Avail, Yummly, Purple Carrot, Honeywell, PUR and more.
Animator at Mashable
December 1, 2017 - October 15, 2025
Created a series of original GIFs for branded campaigns with clients including Nike and Fox; designed and animated daily content for Snapchat Discover, adapting to trends and analytics to cater to millions of daily viewers; produced animations and illustrations reflecting personal style and the brand voice for Instagram/Vine; contributed to themed drawing shows and tested VR drawing software; assisted video producers with motion graphics and custom typography for branded and internal projects; designed and animated 8-12 themed vertical compositions weekly for Mashable Reels; developed digital and print assets/apparel for visual branding at SXSW; created an original animation for a large-scale branded Dell Interactive installation.
Freelance Animator at Giphy
September 1, 2016 - October 15, 2025
Created a series of original GIFs for branded campaigns including Nike and Fox; designed and animated daily content for Snapchat Discover; produced themed GIFs for social platforms, including Instagram and Vine; participated in themed drawing shows and tested VR drawing software; assisted video producers with motion graphics and typography for branded and internal projects; designed and animated vertical compositions based on editorial content for Mashable Reels; created digital and print assets for branding and events.
Designer at Ceros
February 1, 2019 - October 15, 2025
Designed interactive experiences for desktop and mobile based on Ceros Originals editorial content; combined illustrations, animations, data visualization, character animation, motion design, custom typography and cinemagraph GIFs; collaborated with writers and data analysts to develop concepts and weekly organic content.
Senior Animator at Holler
March 1, 2020 - October 15, 2025
Created and presented decks and mood boards for topical content; provided educational demonstrations with Q&A on animation techniques for the studio team; participated in weekly brainstorms to develop concepts and animate branded and organic content; worked with a studio team to enrich conversations globally and collaborated with sales and client partner teams to meet and exceed expectations for brands and partners including Venmo, Tinder, Coca-Cola, Reebok, Chipotle, Marriott, Baidu and more.
Motion Designer (Remote) at Wpromote
January 1, 2023 - October 15, 2025
Collaborated with designers, editors and project managers to create high-quality content for advertisers. Developed and executed solutions to communicate clients' messages using video, animation, motion graphics and illustration. Managed efficiency and file organization, participated in group brainstorming sessions, developed preliminary designs, mockups, storyboards and visual concepts. Clients included REEF, Avail, Yummly, Purple Carrot, Honeywell, PUR and more.

Education

B.F.A. in Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2011
Summer Pre-College Program at Maryland Institute College of Art
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2006
Academic Diploma at Sudbury Model School
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2007
at Fairhaven School
January 11, 2030 - October 14, 2025
B.F.A. in Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2011
Summer Pre-College Program at Maryland Institute College of Art
January 1, 2006 - October 14, 2025
Academic Diploma at Sudbury Model School
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2007
B.F.A. in Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2011
Summer Pre-College Program at Maryland Institute College of Art
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2006

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services

Skills

Experience Level