Richard Lico

Richard Lico

Award Winning Animation Director and Instructor

Animation Director / Owner & Operator at Animation Sherpa / 21 yrs

Redmond, wa

Hire Me

Animation Director

Moss: book 2 (2022)

Animator

Moss (2018)

Lead Animator

Destiny 2 (2017)

Principal Animator

Destiny The Taken King (2015)

Senior Art Lead: Animation

Destiny (2014)

Senior Art Lead: Animation

Halo: Reach (2010)

Senior Art Lead: Animation

Halo 3: ODST (2009)

Lead Animator

Condemned 2: Bloodshot (2008)

Lead Animator

Condemned: Criminal Origins (2005)

Animator

X-Men: Legends (2004)

Animator

Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy (2003)

Animator

Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project (2002)

Artist

Carnivores: Cityscape (2002)

Animator

Devils Angels & Dating (2012)

Co-director and Animator of 2022’s VR game of the year, Moss: Book 2 (Game Awards & VR Awards).

Animating professionally since Jan 2000 with 15 shipped game titles. From Halo: Reach, to Destiny 2, to the Moss games. Project and Discipline directing since 2016 on the Moss IP. Richard has an uncanny view of the project level creative opportunity, well versed in gameplay design, narrative, cinematic, and player fantasy direction. His core strength lies in his ability to mix emotionally resonant characters with fluid gameplay for an immersive player experience.

Richard helped create two of gaming's most influential IP's, Moss and Destiny. As the original animator for both franchises, it was Richard who defined the animation style, animation tone, animation tech and characters. He has a proven track record for creating new worlds and filling them with fluid, appealing, interactive life.

Richard's signature animation style is well known. His unique animation workflow concepts and approach to character direction have been subjects of his highly rated lectures at venues such as the Game Developers Conference, Siggraph, Montreal International Game Summit, and more. This workflow is also the subject of his online school, Animation Sherpa.

Richard is an experienced leader with a proven track record of mentoring others. Many of his former students and co-workers have become key talent and leadership within the gaming industry.
Work History

  • Animation Director

    Polyarc

    June 2016 - Present
    Greater Seattle Area

  • Head Sherpa

    Animation Sherpa

    January 2020 - Present

    Owner and Operator of Animation Sherpa, and online animation school.

  • Animation Instructor

    iAnimate

    February 2012 - December 2016
    interwebs

    I get to mold the next generation of gaming industry animators... I promise to behave...

  • Senior Art Lead: Animation

    Bungie

    March 2008 - June 2016

    Destiny: Senior Art Lead
    Halo: Reach - Senior Art Lead
    Halo 3: ODST - Senior Art Lead

    Since joining Bungie in 2008, I've redefined the animation pipeline, helped restructure the animation team, and improved the animation quality of our games (example, Halo Reach). To improve our animation quality, I oversaw the purchase of our mocap facility and trained the animation team on how to best use mocap. I introduced new animation techniques to the team, while challenging, mentoring, and inspiring creatively. I worked with design on a more immerseive player

  • Principal Animator

    Bungie

    November 2014 - June 2016
    Bellevue, WA

    Principal Animator & Lead: Destiny 2

    Principal animator is a lead level, autonomous role which allowed me to focus more on the creation of our game, less on team structure and people management. I contributed directly to the animation content for our game while assisting the animation lead with critiques, candidate evaluation, and overall animation team quality. My job was to identify areas that need improvement, often tackling the most challenging opportunities while defining our visual quality bar. I worked directly with multiple department leads on animation technology advancements, sandbox/combatant design, rigging advancements, and 3d character/vehicle construction. I was responsible for mentoring the animation team, helping to evolve the speed and skill of our crew. I played a large role in establishing & defining new business ventures such as Destiny's wildly successful micro transactions. Lastly, I directed Destiny's player animation performance covering gameplay, 3rd and 1st person, story, and emote efforts.

  • Animator

    Shilo

    March 2007 - March 2008

    Freelance animator on various projects such as Scion's "Little Deviants" film/tv spot.

  • Lead Animator

    Monolith Productions

    October 2004 - March 2008

    Lead Animator on Condemned 2: Blood Shot
    Senior Animator on Condemned: Criminal Origins

  • animator

    Raven Software

    2002 - 2004

    Cinematic and Gameplay Animator on XMen: Legends
    Senior Animator on Jedi Academy

  • animator

    Sunstorm Interactive

    January 2001 - September 2002

    Animator - Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project (published)
    Animator - Deer Hunter 2003 (published)
    Animator - Bird Hunter 2003 (published)
    Animator - Carnivores: Cityscape (published)
    Animator - Fire Rescut 911 (published)
    Animator - Clowns Vs. Aliens (unpublished)
    Animator - Desert Fox (unpublished)

  • Artist

    Turner Broadcasting

    January 2000 - January 2001

    Animator for CNN International's "Sights & Sounds"

View All Positions
Education

  • Savannah College of Art and Design

    1995 - 1999

  • Park Ridge High School

    1991 - 1994