CV

Jacob Alexander

Location: Carmel, Indiana
Phone: 317-294-7327
Email: Jacob0307rl@gmail.com
Portfolio: hi-im-jacob.com

Education

Purdue University, Polytechnic Institute
Bachelor of Science in Animation & Visual Effects Compositing, Minor: Film & Video Studies
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Graduation Date: May 2025
GPA: 3.65

Professional Experience

Freelance 
2D Animation Generalist | Remote | Feb 2021 – Present  
  • Created storyboards, frame-by-frame animations, and composited 2D character animations using Toon Boom Harmony and Adobe Suite.
  • Designed 50+ original character designs with turnarounds and costume variations, ensuring stylistic consistency.
  • Collaborated with global clients, contributing to animations with 6M+ cumulative views.
  • Delivered projects on time while aligning with client briefs and feedback.
Video Producer | Remote | May 2020 – Present
  • Edited 200+ videos for YouTube channels, generating 13M+ views with engaging video content.
  • Integrated motion graphics, keyframe animations, and b-roll footage to enhance production quality.
  • Managed up to four simultaneous projects, consistently delivering within tight two-week timelines.
  • Proposed creative solutions to elevate storytelling and increase audience engagement.

Black Swan Studios  
Art Director | West Lafayette, IN | Aug 2024 – May 2025  
  • Defined the game’s visual style as Art Director, creating concept art, model sheets, and promotional materials to support development and marketing efforts.
  • Managed and collaborated with a team of 7 artists to design cohesive characters, environmental assets, and visual effects that align with the game’s feel.
  • Established pipelines for asset creation and ensured consistent quality across all elements.

Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream  
Suggestive Salesperson | Carmel, IN | Oct 2017 – Mar 2020  
  • Achieved $900+ in average sales per shift by upselling menu items and enhancing customer satisfaction.
  • Collaborated with team members across departments to ensure efficient service.
  • Trained new employees on menu knowledge, customer engagement techniques, and operational best practices.

Key Projects

“Sprouts” Animated Short Film
  • Directed a team of 11 to produce a 4.5-minute silent film on schedule.
  • Designed protagonists, turnarounds, and color scripts, aligning with the film’s visual tone.
  • Coordinated storyboarding and editorial processes to maintain narrative and visual cohesion.

"Presentation Day" Animated Short Film
Finalist: Loveland Shorts Film Festival
  • Contributed to character design, animatics, and compositing for a short film completed in 48 hours with a team of four other animators.
  • Assisted in the writing and editorial process, making storyboards flow into a cohesive story.
  • Managed assets and compiled every shot into a final composite, combining final cleaned-up animation, background paintings, and visual effects.
Online Video Content  
Personal YouTube Channel  
  • Earned 2.6M+ cumulative views producing video essays incorporating motion design and animation.
  • Innovated with 2D cutout animation, 3D assets, and advanced editing techniques.
  • Wrote entertaining scripts incorporating comedy, drama, and character arcs.
“You’re Late!” – 24 Hour Animation Challenge
  • Led a team of five to create a 30-second animated short under strict deadlines.
  • Designed characters, turnarounds, and compositing solutions to seamlessly integrate 3D camera motion with 2D character animation.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Nominee: Fractal Awards (April 2024) – Concept Art and 2D Animation
  • Finalist: Loveland Shorts Film Festival – Top 40 Selection & Best Animation Nominee
  • Dean’s List: Purdue University (2022–2025)

Extracurricular Activities

Purdue Animation Club  
General Body Member | Jan 2023 – Present  
  • Participated in biweekly skill-building exercises and short-term animation projects.
  • Led an interactive workshop on rig creation in Toon Boom Harmony attended by 20 members.
Game Developers United  
General Body Member | Aug 2022 – Present  
  • Contributed to concept ideation and design documentation for collaborative game projects.
  • Worked with peers to explore and refine various roles in the game development pipeline.

Technical Skills

Software
  • Toon Boom Harmony, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Animate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, ZBrush, Blender
Productivity Tools
  • Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Atlassian Jira, Atlassian Confluence, Notion
Animation & Design Skills
  • Character Design, Storyboarding, Frame-by-Frame Animation, Motion Graphics, 3D Modeling, Texturing, 3D Asset Integration, Rigging for Cutout Animation, Compositing, Cutout Animation
Soft Skills
  • Time Management, Creative Collaboration, Team Leadership, Communication, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Asset Management, Deadline Adherence