Tell Us a Little About Yourself
I was born and raised in San Francisco, where I discovered my love for animation early on. My journey began with hand-drawn animation, but as the industry shifted towards digital, I embraced the challenge of learning computer animation. In 2001, I moved to Santa Barbara to take my first Maya Animation class, despite having no prior computer experience. While the first year was a struggle, I quickly adapted and fell in love with animating digitally.
After graduating with honors, I furthered my education at Vancouver Film School, immersing myself in the world of computer animation. I loved my time in Canada but returned to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art University. There, I had the privilege of participating in a class taught by Pixar animators and later being mentored by Michal Makarewicz at Pixar Studios. That mentorship was transformative, deepening my understanding of movement and character animation and significantly sharpening my skills. Today, I continue to learn and look forward to collaborating with other creative artists.
How Did You Get Interested in Art/Animation?
My passion for animation started when I was a kid. I remember watching cartoons and asking my mom how they were made. She took me to the library, where I discovered animation books that fueled my curiosity. I began making flipbooks, fascinated by the illusion of movement. Watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit? as a child was a pivotal moment—I would pause the VCR and study it frame by frame, trying to understand the art. From that point on, I knew I wanted to bring characters to life through animation.
Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
My long-term goal is to have a diverse and rewarding animation career, contributing to projects across AAA games, mobile games, and feature films. In the short term, I’m focused on working hard, learning as much as I can, and surrounding myself with passionate, creative people. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is equally important to me, so I prioritize quality time with my family alongside professional growth.
Current and Past Projects
I’m currently seeking new opportunities where I can join a talented, passionate team to create exceptional work and have fun along the way. I thrive in collaborative environments, bringing energy, problem-solving skills, and leadership to the table. Whether working on AAA titles or smaller creative projects, I aim to contribute meaningfully to a team’s success.
Three Things I Love
Connecting with people who are passionate about their craft and sharing their knowledge.
Learning new things about the world and our universe.
Spending meaningful time with family and friends, creating memories.
Hobbies
Playing board games.
Enjoying bike rides and outdoor adventures with my family.
Exploring new experiences and spending time in nature.
-Ryan Maesen
