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I am a highly motivated and determined CSU Fullerton graduate seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my exceptional leadership and communication skills. I am passionate about achieving the best results possible in every task and sharing my energetic enthusiasm and influence with others. My goal is to innovate standards by deeply understanding the foundations of my duties and then making modifications to simplify priorities and necessities in the workplace. I bring experience in animation direction, character and background design, scenic painting, and graphic design, complemented by leadership skills gained from coaching swimming and lifeguarding at the YMCA. Throughout my career, I have coordinated teams, managed pipelines and deadlines, and collaborated effectively in creative processes. I have practical experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Clip Studio, and other animation software, as well as strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. I am eager to contribute my artistic, leadership, and collaborative talents to a creative and dynamic work environment.…I am a highly motivated and determined CSU Fullerton graduate seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my exceptional leadership and communication skills. I am passionate about achieving the best results possible in every task and sharing my energetic enthusiasm and influence with others. My goal is to innovate standards by deeply understanding the foundations of my duties and then making modifications to simplify priorities and necessities in the workplace. I bring experience in animation direction, character and background design, scenic painting, and graphic design, complemented by leadership skills gained from coaching swimming and lifeguarding at the YMCA. Throughout my career, I have coordinated teams, managed pipelines and deadlines, and collaborated effectively in creative processes. I have practical experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Clip Studio, and other animation software, as well as strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. I am eager to contribute my artistic, leadership, and collaborative talents to a creative and dynamic work environment.

Sterling Applebaum

Animation Director, Character Designer, Background Designer, +2

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I am a highly motivated and determined CSU Fullerton graduate seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my exceptional leadership and communication skills. I am passionate about achieving the best results possible in every task and sharing my energetic enthusiasm and influence with others. My goal is to innovate standards by deeply understanding the foundations of my duties and then making modifications to simplify priorities and necessities in the workplace. I bring experience in animation direction, character and background design, scenic painting, and graphic design, complemented by leadership skills gained from coaching swimming and lifeguarding at the YMCA. Throughout my career, I have coordinated teams, managed pipelines and deadlines, and collaborated effectively in creative processes. I have practical experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Clip Studio, and other animation software, as well as strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. I am eager to contribute my artistic, leadership, and collaborative talents to a creative and dynamic work environment.…I am a highly motivated and determined CSU Fullerton graduate seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my exceptional leadership and communication skills. I am passionate about achieving the best results possible in every task and sharing my energetic enthusiasm and influence with others. My goal is to innovate standards by deeply understanding the foundations of my duties and then making modifications to simplify priorities and necessities in the workplace. I bring experience in animation direction, character and background design, scenic painting, and graphic design, complemented by leadership skills gained from coaching swimming and lifeguarding at the YMCA. Throughout my career, I have coordinated teams, managed pipelines and deadlines, and collaborated effectively in creative processes. I have practical experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Clip Studio, and other animation software, as well as strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. I am eager to contribute my artistic, leadership, and collaborative talents to a creative and dynamic work environment.

Available to hire

I am a highly motivated and determined CSU Fullerton graduate seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my exceptional leadership and communication skills. I am passionate about achieving the best results possible in every task and sharing my energetic enthusiasm and influence with others. My goal is to innovate standards by deeply understanding the foundations of my duties and then making modifications to simplify priorities and necessities in the workplace. I bring experience in animation direction, character and background design, scenic painting, and graphic design, complemented by leadership skills gained from coaching swimming and lifeguarding at the YMCA.

Throughout my career, I have coordinated teams, managed pipelines and deadlines, and collaborated effectively in creative processes. I have practical experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, Clip Studio, and other animation software, as well as strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. I am eager to contribute my artistic, leadership, and collaborative talents to a creative and dynamic work environment.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Work Experience

Animation Director / Character & Background Designer at CURSED (CSUF Production Class)

May 1, 2020 - August 27, 2025

Directed animation for the independent short film 'CURSED' from January 2020 to May 2020, designed characters and backgrounds, recruited candidates who fit the project's quick turnaround, coordinated meetings both in-person and via Zoom, constructed pipelines and deadlines for animators using Excel and Google Sheets, and provided feedback and problem-solving for animation programs including Toon Boom, Clip Studio, and Adobe Photoshop.

Scenic Painter at Knott’s Berry Farm

May 1, 2022 - Present

Painted, cleaned, and maintained stage and theatrical elements such as stages, props, renovations, and touch-ups. Assisted in pouncing, tracing, and prepping set pieces and renderings of scenic flats, drops, and 2D cutouts. Collaborated and brainstormed solutions with team members to achieve scenic pipelines and deadlines.

Production Assistant at Locomotion Pictures

August 31, 2015 - August 27, 2025

Coordinated various technical and administrative activities including managing errands, allocating scripts, and supporting set design. Acted as liaison between production and team safety management. Completed production duties on the short film 'The Shadow Hours' in 2015.

Newsletter Team: Graphic Designer at Rise Up Animation

April 1, 2021 - Present

Communicated and collaborated with coordinator and designers to deliver a monthly newsletter. Solved problems and resolved pipeline and deadline issues. Promoted to Newsletter/Graphic Designer role in May 2023. Crafted and edited the theme of monthly newsletters via Canva.

Head Coach of Swimming & Lifeguard (Full-time) at YMCA of Orange County

March 1, 2022 - Present

Built athletic relationships with over 80 athletes and families. Provided training, encouragement, and development in defensive and offensive swimming skills five days a week. Scheduled, planned practices, reviewed and evaluated meets, budgeted swim team operations, and coordinated swim meets and events with Aquatics Director.