Michael Baxter

I have several years of experience in graphic design for video & multimedia, motion graphics animation, three years as an art director for communications company and spent the last 15 years as a freelance motion graphics animator and graphic designer. In the last five years, I have branched out into video editing and visual FX.  My resume contains a link to my portfolio with samples of my work that includes motion graphics for video, animations and storyboards.

I have extensive experience in the design, animation and editing tools from the Adobe Creative Suite, as well as skills in storyboarding, concept sketching, typography, and page layout. I am an experienced art director familiar with handling corporate branding for high tech, bio-medical, and Information technologies. I have created motion graphics, artwork and video edits for training, trade shows, sales presentations, internal promotion, and broadcast.

My personal skills include being creative and use sound judgment to make good decisions that will benefit production. This also includes being a great communicator with active listening skills and the ability to stay positive and enthusiastic even under the pressure of multiple projects and tight deadlines.  I also have extensive experience working with all levels of artists, direct interface with clients, and taking direction from creative directors. I'm very easy going and pride myself on being very easy to work with, well informed, highly adaptable, and calm in high pressure/tight deadline situations.

My energetic and humorous personality makes it easy to make that connection with other professionals in the field and I am very detail oriented. I have a good understanding of the industry and strong business skills that include marketing, management and financial concerns. My motto is to actively work to exceed the client’s expectations. I am clever enough to find solutions to unexpected problems, and smart enough to know there is still a lot to be learned.

I have a bachelor’s degree in multimedia communications with courses that included a variety of computer-based classes that focused on the use of illustration and design software, creating videos, interactive media, motion graphics, animation and video/audio editing procedures. Other workshops and tutorials that helped prepare me for this position include video keying and rotoscoping, animation theory, typography, and 3D software principles for lighting and texture development.