Dante Rinaldi

Work History

• 

  University Professor

  Ringling College of Art + Design

  January 2013 - Present

  I am currently an Instructor teaching traditional and computer graphics animation, visual effects and motion picture lighting/photography. The focus our self-written curriculum includes Disney's Twelve Principles of Animation for cg, visual effects cg plate integration, green screen lighting and recording, and much more. My application focus is with Nuke, Cinema 4D, Maya and After Effects, as well as the Red camera technology.
  
  In the Visual Effects classes, I create the curriculum to explore an in-depth analysis of the role of digital image-making and
• 

  Digital Artist / Technical Director

  Digital Domain

  November 2010 - September 2012

  VFX Generalist
  On a variety of projects for CG Film and Animation:
  - Concepting (Photoshop/Flash/Nuke)
  - Modeling (Maya/Mudbox)
  - Texture & Surfacing (Maya/Mari)
  - Lookdev, Effects (Maya nParticles)
  - Compositing (Nuke)
  
  The Legend of Tembo
  Textures and Hair & Fur:
  - 3D Texture pipeline and asset creation on the animated film "The Legend of Tembo"
  - Hair & Fur creation with "Samson", the DD proprietary system used on Benjamin Button and Tron.
  
  Digital Domain Institute
  I also supplied concept, graphic design, modeling and texturing services for advertising campaigns, including promotional images such as wall posters, tradeshow booths, video game cover design and merchandising.

• Senior UI / Cinematics Artist

  Kaos Studios, THQ

  February 2006 - November 2010

  Day to day activity while at Kaos Studios:
  • Rapidly designed and integrated 2D/3D UI concepts and prototypes
  • Utilized Unreal Engine 3 kismet code to animate graphical elements
  • Created 2D/3D assets and integrated assets into game
  • Worked closely with Tech. Programmers and Designers on features
  • Analyzed graphic content and provides direction for final polish
  • Created pipelines for the development process
  • Reviewed and recommended software for production (ie:Scaleform)
  • Worked within hardware limitations for project
  • Met deadlines with proficiency
  
  Also extensively created online and print promotional content for the studio, including the corporate website and community relations sites.

  

• Creative Director, Owner

  Dante Rinaldi Design

  June 1997 - September 2011

  Dante Rinaldi Design is a self-created, full-service advertising and creative agency service specializing in graphic & web design, multimedia, original digital illustration, film and animation creative solutions.
  
  I've been a recipient of multiple industry awards, including a Silver Addy Award in the category of Visual and Audio Elements of Advertising- Illustration for the NCAA College Football GatorBowl (offical poster, game program and ticket artwork).
  
  I've had the pleasure of designing and animating with scores of top-tier companies including:
  HBO, Scholastic, Fujifilm, NCAA, BlueCross BlueShield, AT&T, Verizon, American Red Cross, AIG, Hard Rock Cafe, Element K, Honda, Sony, Mitsubishi and Toyota.

• Creative Director

  Allied North America

  January 2005 - February 2006

  Handled all promotional internal and external advertising collateral for multiple lines of business. I created and directed design elements across print, web, multimedia and special venue projects.
  
  I was responsible for all areas of advertising and corporate promotion for all national offices, from initial concept to final print/web/film production. My duties included redesigning multiple corporate web sites, presentations, print collateral and interactive animated marketing materials.