Natalie Stepanoff
2D/3D Direction ● Animation ● Art ● Customizable Avatars
- As an Art Director at the forefront of innovation, I blend my passion for animation, art, and technology to create transformative visual experiences. With over two decades of experience, I’ve become a veteran leader to various aspects of game production. I can complete every aspect of a mobile game art pipeline which makes me a valuable asset and a competent art team manager. It is a joy to work with talented creative team members sharing a singular vision to bring a project to life! We get a chance to teach and grow together as technology and needs are ever changing; adapting and succeeding.
- My journey spans diverse projects in gaming, television, VR, Web3, NFTs, and interactive media, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology. I’ve collaborated with industry giants like Facebook, BBC, HBO, Scholastic, SEGA, and Nickelodeon, honing my skills across digital, traditional, and AI-driven mediums. I’ve touched upon 3D as well. I am dedicated to learning new programs and pipelines, with a focus on characters and the worlds they inhabit. I’m also quite familiar with avatar customization setups including rigging, skin recolor, body features, and clothing. Let’s connect and create the future of visual storytelling together.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Leadership & Mentorship: Managed in-house and remote art teams, optimizing pipelines and fostering collaboration.
- Creative Direction: Aligned visual design with narrative and brand goals across platforms.
- Pipeline Innovation: Designed workflows balancing creativity, quality, and deadlines for high-profile projects.
- Stakeholder Communication: Presented creative visions, aligning with business objectives.
- AI Integration: Implemented AI-driven art tools for scalable, high-quality outputs, and NFT integration for web3.
- Technical Expertise: Adobe Creative Suite, Spine, Maya, Blender, and AI tools .
EXPERIENCE:
Gemz 2023-2024
Art Director
Defined a bold, approachable art style to support Gemz’s pivot from Web3 gaming to social media, resulting in 1.2M+ YouTube subscribers. Created a new scalable social media pipeline for video content based on crypto trends, memes, and gameplay updates for YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, and more. Reduced video production times on 2.5 minute videos, enabling daily content output. Completed with a 5-member team by fostering team collaboration and cross-training new tools like Capcut, Character Animator, and AI.
- Gemz
Playco 2020-2023
Lead Game Artist/ Animator
Defined art styles and developed the art pipeline focusing on customizable characters and interactive storytelling. Mentored a team of artists, animators, and tech artist. Introduced Spine, streamlining animation workflows and unlocking new features for a 5-member team. Completed art, rigs, and animation from concept through final delivery for characters, backgrounds, effects, and props.
- Storyverse
- Trip Royale
Game Closure/ GC Turbo/ GameClosure 2018-2020
Lead Concept Artist
Art management, avatar setup, concepts, assets, backgrounds, animation, UI
- Pokemon: Medallion Battle
- Evertown
- ThugLife
- Linsane Hoops
- The Walking Dead: Endless War
- (Untitled Sanrio Project)
Facebook / Meta 2016-2018
Game Artist
Art concepts, 3D modeling, vertex painting, weight painting, and animation
- Early Prototype of Horizon (VR Project for Oculus Rift)
Three Rings Design/ SEGA Networks 2010-2016
Game Artist
2D/3D animation, character design, storyboards, backgrounds, props, minor UI tasks
- Several Unpublished Projects (iOS/Android)
- Super Monkey Ball: Bounce (iOS/Android)
- Doctor Who: Worlds in Time (online)
- Spellwood (iOS/Android)
- Dragon Training Academy (online)
Animation Collective 2005-2009
Animator, Lead Character Designer, Voice Talent
2D animation, animatic storyboards, layout, character design management, and character design
- Three Delivery – mobisodes (Nicktoons)
- Captain Macaroni – pilot (Daystar)
- Speed Racer – season 1 (Nicktoons)
- Dancing Sushi – minisodes (Nick)
- HTDT – pilot (Cartoon Network)
- Kappa Mikey – seasons 1 & 2 (Nick)