Norman Belen is an animator, illustrator, and educator whose career began in 1987 with training from Japan's Tokyo Movie Shinsha. A pioneer in the Philippines, he became one of the country's first 3D animators and earned a prestigious 4A's Best in Special Effects award for his work on television commercials. Relocating to Singapore, Norman took on a leadership role for the groundbreaking pilot "Rats 2099: The Young Heroes." His creative vision was key to the project, which went on to win the Asian Television Technical and Creative Award for Best 3D Animation. With over 15 years dedicated to education as a lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore), he has mentored countless students and helped shape the next generation of creative talent. Now based in Canada, his recent work includes providing illustrations for the children's book The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Story and a variant comic book cover for Supacross. An active freelance artist specializing in live caricatures, Norman continues to explore visual storytelling and is a member of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group.…

Norman Majadas Belen

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Norman Belen is an animator, illustrator, and educator whose career began in 1987 with training from Japan's Tokyo Movie Shinsha. A pioneer in the Philippines, he became one of the country's first 3D animators and earned a prestigious 4A's Best in Special Effects award for his work on television commercials. Relocating to Singapore, Norman took on a leadership role for the groundbreaking pilot "Rats 2099: The Young Heroes." His creative vision was key to the project, which went on to win the Asian Television Technical and Creative Award for Best 3D Animation. With over 15 years dedicated to education as a lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore), he has mentored countless students and helped shape the next generation of creative talent. Now based in Canada, his recent work includes providing illustrations for the children's book The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Story and a variant comic book cover for Supacross. An active freelance artist specializing in live caricatures, Norman continues to explore visual storytelling and is a member of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group.…

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Norman Belen is an animator, illustrator, and educator whose career began in 1987 with training from Japan’s Tokyo Movie Shinsha. A pioneer in the Philippines, he became one of the country’s first 3D animators and earned a prestigious 4A’s Best in Special Effects award for his work on television commercials.

Relocating to Singapore, Norman took on a leadership role for the groundbreaking pilot “Rats 2099: The Young Heroes.” His creative vision was key to the project, which went on to win the Asian Television Technical and Creative Award for Best 3D Animation.

With over 15 years dedicated to education as a lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore), he has mentored countless students and helped shape the next generation of creative talent.

Now based in Canada, his recent work includes providing illustrations for the children’s book The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Story and a variant comic book cover for Supacross.

An active freelance artist specializing in live caricatures, Norman continues to explore visual storytelling and is a member of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Baker -Helper (Acting Lead) at Safeway
April 1, 2020 - Present
Prepared and supported high-volume daily baking production while meeting quality and production targets. Stepped in as Acting Team Leader during the Bakery Manager’s absence, overseeing daily operations and troubleshooting to keep workflows running smoothly. Onboarded and trained new hires on baking procedures and daily operational standards, reducing ramp-up time for new staff.
Baker-Helper at Safeway, Inc.
January 1, 2020 - Present
Prepared and set up baking needs to meet daily bakery requirements. Acted as team leader during the absence of the Bakery Manager, ensuring smooth operations. Mentored and trained new hires to familiarize them with daily bakery operations and procedures.
Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic – School of InfoComm Technologies
December 31, 2019 - September 5, 2025
Developed curriculum for Design, Animation, and Drawing modules ensuring alignment and integration. Oversaw hiring and scheduling of models for figure drawing requirements. Mentored students throughout their polytechnic years to enable timely course completion. Supervised weekly open public figure drawing sessions to provide extra practice opportunities. Liaised with external partners for final year projects to meet client specifications.
Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic - School of Info Comm Technologies
March 1, 2009 - June 30, 2019
Designed and structured core curriculum for Design, Animation, and Drawing modules aligned across multiple year levels and disciplines. Provided academic and pastoral mentorship to student cohorts, supporting on-time graduation. Managed industry partnerships and Final Year Project (FYP) liaison, ensuring student teams delivered content meeting corporate and technical specifications. Established and supervised a weekly, public-facing Figure Drawing session to support a collaborative studio environment. Handled recruitment, hiring, and scheduling of life models for studio figure drawing classes with strict instructional requirements.
2D/3D Artist
December 31, 2007 - September 5, 2025
Produced 2D and 3D art from 1995 to 2007, including animation and visual design tasks.
Visiting Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic - School of Film & Media Studies
May 1, 2003 - May 31, 2008
Co-developed foundations for a specialized Digital Visual Effects (DVFX) diploma course, expanding technical offerings. Designed and taught core modules in animation, 3D pipelines, and visual effects, including Principles of Animation and 3D Modeling & Animation. Directed, coordinated, and mentored student teams through Final Year Animation Projects, maintaining production standards from concept through final render.
Senior 3D Artist at Asia-Pacific Videolab (APV)
August 1, 2002 - April 30, 2003
Produced high-quality 3D assets, modeling, and animation for broadcast television advertisements and high-profile commercial campaigns under tight deadlines. Conducted VFX research and development and look-development tests for complex 3D visual effects, optimizing pipeline workflows for feature film productions.
Senior 2D/3D Artist at Bizarts Creative Pte. Ltd.
August 1, 1999 - August 31, 2001
Served as Lead Character Designer, Lead Storyboard Artist, and 3D Animator for the animated TV series pilot “Rats 2099: The Young Heroes,” receiving the Asian Television Technical and Creative Award (2001) for Best 3D Animation (Long Form). Supervised and coordinated external freelance concept artists, managing asset delivery and maintaining artistic consistency across the production pipeline. Produced concept art, storyboards, 3D assets, and Flame compositing for corporate video and digital media campaigns. Created custom digital illustrations featured in “Singapore Story: An Odyssey Through Time.”
Senior 2D/3D Artist at Animasia International Pte. Ltd.
October 1, 1996 - February 28, 1997
Worked as a 2D Animator, Digital Painter, and Compositor for the studio-produced television series “Agent Double O1,” handling assets from early animation through final compositing. Developed 3D assets and animation for broadcast television advertisements and high-impact commercial campaigns.
Traditional Cel Animator
December 31, 1995 - September 5, 2025
Worked in traditional cel animation from 1987 to 1995, involving hand-drawn animation techniques.
3D Artist at Video Headquarters (VHQ)
August 1, 1995 - September 30, 1996
Developed 3D assets, animation, and initial concept art for high-end broadcast advertisements and commercial campaigns, delivering projects from early style frames to final production renders.
2D/3D Artist at Optima Digital Inc.
March 1, 1993 - August 31, 1995
Contributed 3D artistry and asset creation for award-winning VFX campaigns for Ginebra San Miguel “Works” and Shell Rimula X “Rage/Attack,” both recognized with the 4A’s Best in Special Effects Award (1995). Served as Assistant Animation Director and Animation Coordinator/Supervisor for prominent TV commercial campaigns, managing artist workflows and ensuring quality control. Developed 3D assets, 2D animation, and original character designs for feature films, TV shows, and broadcast advertisements.
Traditional Cel Animator at Island Animation Inc.
July 1, 1989 - September 30, 1992
Provided key animation for internationally broadcast animated TV series including “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Police Academy,” “Computer Warriors,” and “Dino Riders.” Specialized as an Animation Fixer in the technical fix-up department, troubleshooting frame inconsistencies and refining line art for global series including “Costa” and “Sharky and George.”

Education

Undergraduate at University of Santo Tomas
January 1, 1987 - September 5, 2025

Qualifications

Industry Experience

Education, Retail, Media & Entertainment
    The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret
    The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret offers a glimpse into life in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation, a time marked by quiet resilience and bravery. At its heart is Alice, a young schoolgirl who uncovers a perilous secret–her family is hiding an American soldier. As the war unfolds around her, the threat of discovery looms, and Alice must navigate the uncertainties of wartime with courage beyond her years. ​Inspired by actual events, this gripping tale of sacrifice and subtle heroism brings history to life from a child’s perspective. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, acts of kindness and doing what is right can change the course of history. From the author’s website: https://www.twine.net/signin…
    The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret

    The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret offers a glimpse into life in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation, a time marked by quiet resilience and bravery. At its heart is Alice, a young schoolgirl who uncovers a perilous secret–her family is hiding an American soldier. As the war unfolds around her, the threat of discovery looms, and Alice must navigate the uncertainties of wartime with courage beyond her years.

    ​Inspired by actual events, this gripping tale of sacrifice and subtle heroism brings history to life from a child’s perspective. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, acts of kindness and doing what is right can change the course of history.

    Interior Art Sample: https://www.twine.net/signin