Available to hire
Hi, I’m Michael Wonser, a professional animator with 9 years of experience specializing in gaming animation. I am highly adaptable and love embracing challenges, whether working independently or collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver outstanding results. Over the years, I’ve developed strong skills in animation, design pipelines, and team leadership.
I enjoy creating engaging animations and have worked on a variety of projects from cutscenes to playable ads. I’m passionate about pushing creative boundaries and ensuring smooth production workflows that help teams meet deadlines and produce high-quality content.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Senior Marketing Designer at SparkLabs – AppLovin
January 31, 2025 - July 15, 2025Created high performing marketing creative and playable ads for clients around the world. Developed detailed concept decks to pitch advertising ideas to high-value clients to secure approval. Analyzed creative metrics and developed campaign strategies using internal tools. Communicated with an internal team of artists, engineers, and video editors to deliver effective marketing creative.
Cutscene Animator/Producer at Age of Empires 2 – CaptureAge
April 30, 2024 - July 15, 2025Led and organized a team of independent contractors. Created and helped maintain the production schedule over the 3-month contract period. Animated 70 distinct cutscene shots. Composited background and animations into completed cutscenes.
Lead Artist at Coin Dozer Adventures – Monumental LLC
May 31, 2023 - July 15, 2025Visually prototyped and explored new features by creating animatics for the Design and Art teams. Developed the art pipeline for delivering assets to our Live Ops game. Communicated with Producers and Directors about art related risks and issues in the production pipeline. Reviewed artwork and provided feedback to outsource partners.
Senior Artist/Senior Animator at Merge Zoo – Game Circus LLC
July 31, 2022 - July 15, 2025Responsible for Sprint planning, coordinating all art production resources, and managing deadlines while working closely with the Art Director and Art Producer. Created UI elements, VFX, and animations in collaboration with designers and programmers to help meet sprint deliverables. Attended meetings representing Art’s interests in all Merge Zoo Leadership meetings. Researched and developed a new 2D animation pipeline for 70+ characters; personally animated half of the animal characters, shared rigs when possible.
Full Time Animator/Artist at Game Circus LLC
January 31, 2020 - July 15, 2025Developed animations for characters, chest/reward sequences, and UI elements. Created rigs for various creatures and characters for the animation team. Responsible for many Pre-Vis animatics for game features, working closely with Designers and the Art Director. Designed the state machines to drive the evolving character standard and interface with the programming team.
Senior Marketing Designer at SparkLabs – AppLovin
January 31, 2025 - July 15, 2025Created high performing marketing creative and playable ads for clients around the world. Developed detailed concept decks to pitch advertising ideas to high-value clients to secure approval. Analyzed creative metrics and developed campaign strategies using internal tools. Communicated with an internal team of artists, engineers, and video editors to deliver effective marketing creative.
Cutscene Animator/Producer at Age of Empires 2 – CaptureAge
April 30, 2024 - July 15, 2025Led and organized a team of independent contractors. Created and helped maintain the production schedule over the 3-month contract period. Animated 70 distinct cutscene shots. Composited background and animations into completed cutscenes.
Lead Artist at Coin Dozer Adventures – Monumental LLC
May 31, 2023 - July 15, 2025Visually prototyped and explored new features by creating animatics for the Design and Art teams. Developed the art pipeline for delivering assets to our Live Ops game. Communicated with Producers and Directors about art related risks and issues in the production pipeline. Reviewed artwork and provided feedback to outsource partners.
Senior Artist/Senior Animator at Merge Zoo – Game Circus LLC
July 31, 2022 - July 15, 2025Responsible for Sprint planning, coordinating all art production resources, and managing deadlines while working closely with the Art Director and Art Producer. Created UI elements, VFX, and animations in collaboration with designers and programmers to meet sprint deliverables. Represented Art’s interests in all Merge Zoo Leadership meetings. Researched and developed a new 2D animation pipeline for 70+ characters; personally animated half of the animal characters and shared rigs when possible.
Full Time Animator/Artist at Game Circus LLC
January 31, 2020 - July 15, 2025Developed animations for characters, chest/reward sequences, and UI elements. Created rigs for various creatures and characters for the animation team. Responsible for many Pre-Vis animatics for game features, working closely with Designers and the Art Director. Designed the state machines to drive the evolving character standard and interface with programming team.
Education
M.F.A. at University of Texas at Dallas
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013B.A. at University of Texas at Dallas
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010M.F.A. at University of Texas at Dallas
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013B.A. at University of Texas at Dallas
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010Qualifications
Industry Experience
Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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