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Art director and pre-production specialist with over a decade of experience across UK, European and North American animation studios, working from early development through delivery. Leads global remote teams (up to 45 artists) independently, building strong visual language, overseeing story/board/animatics, and delivering pitch-to-production with budgets, schedules, and client/executive relationships.…Art director and pre-production specialist with over a decade of experience across UK, European and North American animation studios, working from early development through delivery. Leads global remote teams (up to 45 artists) independently, building strong visual language, overseeing story/board/animatics, and delivering pitch-to-production with budgets, schedules, and client/executive relationships.

Joe May

Film Director, Art Director, Animator, +3

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Art director and pre-production specialist with over a decade of experience across UK, European and North American animation studios, working from early development through delivery. Leads global remote teams (up to 45 artists) independently, building strong visual language, overseeing story/board/animatics, and delivering pitch-to-production with budgets, schedules, and client/executive relationships.…Art director and pre-production specialist with over a decade of experience across UK, European and North American animation studios, working from early development through delivery. Leads global remote teams (up to 45 artists) independently, building strong visual language, overseeing story/board/animatics, and delivering pitch-to-production with budgets, schedules, and client/executive relationships.

Available to hire

Art director and pre-production specialist with over a decade of experience across UK, European and North American animation studios, working from early development through delivery.

Leads global remote teams (up to 45 artists) independently, building strong visual language, overseeing story/board/animatics, and delivering pitch-to-production with budgets, schedules, and client/executive relationships.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Work Experience

Art Director at Sun Creature

January 1, 2025 - Present

Directed visual language and style development for studio production from early development through production. Created style frames and colour scripts; briefed and reviewed design and animation teams across international, multi-timezone collaboration.

Independent Director & Preproduction Artist at Freelance

January 1, 2025 - Present

Continues art direction and preproduction work for studio clients. Prepares original self-directed projects from story, boards, and timing through animatics and edit-to-final for delivery. Mentors students and engages heavily in global animation subculture.

Creative Director / Art Director at Feed Me Light

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024

Led commercial projects end-to-end for a production company, working directly with executives and producers. Developed treatments for multiple concurrent client pitches and pitched a self-directed short film for development.

Lead Compositor at Titmouse

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019

Composited within a large studio pipeline on American animated series. Led team delivery and provided feedback in daily reviews alongside the art director.

Director / Producer / Art Director at Freelance

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2023

Directed and produced independent projects from pitch through delivery, managing budgets, schedules, and stakeholders. Assembled and led a 45-person global team for an independent animation project; created freelance agreements improving payment security; briefed and reviewed design and animation teams across international, multi-timezone collaboration. Mentored emerging artists across the UK, Mexico and Japan and supported local scene opportunities.

Multidisciplinary Artist / Compositor / 3D Artist at Freelance (including Golden Wolf & Andy Baker Studio, London)

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018

Directed and animated music videos and visuals for commercial and music clients. Delivered Adobe Animate-to-After Effects compositing and 3D/VFX on large team productions.

Multidisciplinary Artist / Compositor / 3D Artist at Freelance (incl. Golden Wolf & Andy Baker Studio, London)

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018

Directed and animated music videos and visuals independently for commercial and music clients. Delivered Adobe Animate-to-After Effects compositing and 3D/VFX work on large team productions.

Multidisciplinary Animator at Studio Moross, London

January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2016

Developed live visuals for major music tours and festivals; built studio workstations and a local render farm. Improved 3D and 2D animation skills and strengthened pitching and scope planning capabilities.

Multidisciplinary Animator at Studio Moross

January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2016

Developed live visuals for major music tours and festivals; built studio workstations and a local render farm. Strengthened 3D and 2D animation skills and contributed to pitching and scope planning.