Available to hire
Hi, I’m Birgitta Pollanen. With a rich background in animation and visual arts, I have spent many years teaching and working on diverse projects ranging from background painting to 3D layout and effects animation. I enjoy developing lesson plans and sharing my enthusiasm for Toon Boom Harmony, Maya, Photoshop, and other creative tools with my students. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to various productions such as “Superhero Girls,” “The Lion Guard,” and “F Is For Family.”
My passion lies in combining artistic creativity with technical skills to bring stories to life. I’ve worked extensively on layout, rigging, painting, and effects animation, always aiming to deliver high-quality, engaging content. Whether teaching or creating, I am committed to advancing the craft of animation and inspiring the next generation of artists.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Chinese
Intermediate
Work Experience
Instructor at Self / Various
September 1, 2009 - June 6, 2024Developed lesson plans and provided instruction based on curriculum focused on animation techniques and software including Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, Photoshop, and Maya. Covered topics such as rigging, storyboarding, 2D and 3D layout, background painting, effects animation, and basics of animation principles and camera moves. Delivered courses at different levels, managing both practical and theoretical components related to animation production.
Background Painter at Superhero Girls / The Lion Guard
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018Painted backgrounds using Photoshop for episodes in these animated series, delivering high-quality digital background artwork that supported the visual storytelling and aesthetics of the productions.
Background Painter at Big Jump Productions
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017Painted backgrounds with Toon Boom Harmony for the project 'F Is For Family', ensuring consistency in design and quality across the episodes.
Background Painter at PIP Animation Services
April 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015Painted backgrounds for multiple animated projects including Cyber Chase, Pirates Passage, and Freak Town using Photoshop to create immersive and detailed environments for children’s educational and entertainment animation projects.
Background Painter at Endeavor Canada – Australia and UK production
May 1, 2008 - January 23, 2009Painted rough layouts and digital backgrounds for the project Dex Hamilton using Photoshop. Contributed to the look development and design consistency in alignment with project style guides.
Rough Layout - 3D at Starz Media
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Worked on feature animation project 'Nine' (Tim Burton Production) performing 3D layout, camera animation, rough character animation, incidental modeling emphasizing timing, cutting, and hook-ups in Maya 8.
Instructor at Harbin University of Science and Technology China
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2007Implemented animation program and developed lesson plans for 2D animation and ESL classes specializing in animation terminology to support student learning and proficiency in both artistic and technical language aspects.
Art Director at Koolhaus Games
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005Served as Art Director producing a working prototype of AAA title 'Grimm: S.O.G.'. Supervised art assets and ensured artistic quality and consistency throughout game development.
Instructor at Vanarts Vancouver Vancouver Institute for Media Arts
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005Provided courses in background design, layout, storyboard, animation assisting, effects, and game design. Developed curriculum and mentored students in multiple aspects of animation and digital arts.
Set Designer at Mainframe Entertainment Inc.
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004Designed sets for the project Fairytopia including digital background painting, creating texture maps, schematics, matte paintings, and texture mapping contributing to the visual development of the animation.
Instructor at Unnamed Institution
September 1, 2009 - June 13, 2024Developed lesson plans and instruction based on curriculum, teaching Toon Boom Harmony effects & rigging, storyboarding with Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, layout using Photoshop and Toon Boom Harmony, animation basics, 3D layout with Maya, background painting, and effects animation. Additionally, painted backgrounds for various episodes and projects.
Background Painter at Various Projects
April 1, 2015 - December 31, 2018Painted backgrounds for projects including 'Superhero Girls', 'The Lion Guard' using Photoshop, and 'F Is For Family' using Toon Boom Harmony. Also painted backgrounds for projects with PIP Animation Services including Cyber Chase, Pirates Passage, and Freak Town.
Rough Layout-3D at Starz Media
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Worked on the feature animation project 'Nine' (Tim Burton Production) performing 3D layout using Maya 8, camera animation, rough character animation, incidental modeling, focusing on timing, cutting and hook-ups.
Instructor at Harbin University of Science and Technology China
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2007Implemented animation program, developed lesson plans for 2D animation and ESL classes specializing in animation terminology (2D and 3D).
Art Director at Koolhaus Games
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005Served as Art Director for the production of the working prototype of a AAA title, Grimm: S.O.G., and supervised art assets.
Instructor at Vanarts Vancouver - Vancouver Institute for Media Arts
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005Taught background design and layout, additional courses in storyboard, animation assisting, effects, game design.
Set Designer at Mainframe Entertainment Inc.
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004Worked on set design for Fairytopia project, including digital background painting, creation of texture maps, design schematics, matte painting and texture maps.
Effects Animation at Various Productions
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030Worked on traditional 2D effects animation for productions such as The Racoons and Fievel Goes West.
Animation Assistant at Amblimation
January 11, 2030 - January 11, 2030Assisted in animation for Fievel Goes West.
Instructor at Self-employed / Various Institutions
September 1, 2009 - June 8, 2024Developed lesson plans and instructed students based on curriculum focused on Toon Boom Harmony Effects & Rigging, Story Concepts with Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, 2D Layout using Photoshop and Toon Boom Harmony, Animation Basics including walk cycles, 3D Layout using Maya, Background Painting with Photoshop, and Effects Animation. Taught courses in both 2D and 3D animation, including ESL classes specializing in animation terminology. Worked at various institutions including Harbin University of Science and Technology, Capilano College, and Vanarts Vancouver.
Background Painter at Various Projects
May 1, 2008 - December 31, 2018Painted backgrounds using Photoshop and Toon Boom Harmony for animated series including "Superhero Girls," "The Lion Guard," "F Is For Family," "Cyber Chase," "Pirates Passage," "Freak Town," and "Dex Hamilton." Contributions included digital background painting and creation of texture maps.
Rough Layout / 3D Layout Artist at Starz Media
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Worked on feature animation "Nine" by Tim Burton as a 3D Layout artist using Maya 8, involving camera animation, rough character animation, incidental modeling, focusing on timing, cutting, and hook-ups.
Instructor at Harbin University of Science and Technology
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2007Implemented animation programs and developed lesson plans for 2D animation and ESL classes that specialized in animation terminology for both 2D and 3D.
Art Director at Koolhaus Games
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005Served as art director for the AAA game title prototype "Grimm: S.O.G.," overseeing art asset production and supervising the art team to ensure quality assets.
Instructor at Vanarts Vancouver (Vancouver Institute for Media Arts)
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005Taught courses on background design and layout, storyboard, animation assisting, effects, and game design.
Set Designer at Mainframe Entertainment Inc.
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004Designed sets and digital backgrounds, created texture maps, schematic design and orthographic views for backgrounds and props in "Fairytopia," including matte paintings and texture maps.
Instructor at Self-employed / Various Institutions
September 1, 2009 - June 15, 2024Developed lesson plans and provided instruction based on curriculum related to animation, including Toon Boom Harmony Effects & Rigging, Storyboarding with Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, 2D and 3D layout (Photoshop, Maya), Background Painting, and Effects Animation. Facilitated animation basics for students covering walk cycles with rigged characters, deformers, layout, and camera moves.
Background Painter at Various Projects
May 1, 2008 - December 31, 2018Painted backgrounds using Photoshop and Toon Boom Harmony for episodes of "Superhero Girls," "The Lion Guard," and projects including "F Is For Family," "Cyber Chase," "Pirates Passage," and "Freak Town."
Rough Layout Artist / 3D Layout Artist at Starz Media
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Worked on feature animation "Nine" (Tim Burton Production) involving 3D layout using Maya 8, camera animation, rough character animation, incidental modeling with emphasis on timing, cutting, and hook-ups.
Instructor at Harbin University of Science and Technology
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2007Implemented animation program and developed lesson plans for 2D animation and ESL classes specializing in animation terminology (2D and 3D).
Art Director at Koolhaus Games
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005Art director for the production of a working prototype of AAA title "Grimm: S.O.G." Supervised art assets and ensured the quality of visuals.
Instructor at Vanarts Vancouver (Vancouver Institute for Media Arts)
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005Taught background design and layout, storyboard, animation assisting and effects, and game design courses.
Set Designer at Mainframe Entertainment Inc.
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004Set design for the project "Fairytopia," including digital background painting, creation of texture maps, schematic design, matte painting, and texture mapping.
Education
Qualifications
Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Gaming, Professional Services
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
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