DAN SHEFELMAN

7 North Cottenet St, Irvington, NY 10533    

(917) 691-­2602    

dshefelman@gmail.com   

https://danshefelman.myportfolio.com/

EXPERIENCE

SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) -- New York, NY        8/2021 – present

Chair of Illustration and Interactive Media

• Lead the multidisciplinary department made up of illustration, animation and game design majors and a creative technology minor.
• Expanding the scope of study for the BFA programs and bringing in industry leaders to teach and advise the creative talents of the future.
• Develop creative partnerships with industry and government including Titmouse, Nickelodeon, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, ACM SIGGRAPH, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Apple, Xencelabs, NFL Players Association, Team Epiphany, Yellowbrick, Stagwell, NYC Department of Environmental Protection and NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment.
• Lead interdisciplinary projects and exhibitions in partnership with other programs including Toy Design, Spatial Experience Design, Interior Design, Film + Media, Graphic Design and Advertising & Marketing Communications.
• Expanding international studies options for students including an exchange program at Nottingham Trent University in the UK and Manga & Anime Experience in Japan. Currently developing additional new programs in London and Japan.
• Work closely with the FIT Foundation to develop industry partnerships and create fundraising opportunities by engaging student and faculty creativity.
• Mentor students in the Social Justice Center at FIT.

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) -- New York, NY        8/2012 – Present

Associate Professor of Illustration

• Appointed as part of the Faculty of the Future initiative with the mandate of adopting creative technology and forging stronger connections with global creative industry. Work closely with FIT President’s office on strategy issues facing FIT and higher education in general.
• Teach Advanced Visual Storytelling and Senior Thesis in Illustration, Animation & Game Design.
• Designed six new creative technology labs integrating creative technology with traditional equipment.
• Founding director ChalkFIT -  a collaborative mural created by student and faculty artists along 7th Avenue. Now in its 12th year, ChalkFIT brings the creativity of FIT students to the streets of Chelsea — connecting artists with the vibrant community and tourists. Media coverage includes NY1, Fox 5, Street Art NYC Chelsea Now and a strong social media presence.
  

Mud Pie Labs -- New York, NY        4/2020 – present

Founder and Creative Director

Mud Pie Labs is a new kind of gaming and animation studio with a mission: grow our business by pairing experts from the industry with local emerging talent to work on client content. Clients who work with Mud Pie Labs benefit by increasing inclusivity in their roster of vendors and bringing diverse voices into their brands’ conversations. We provide clients with inspired work that can only come from developing talent from the rich cultures of NYC.

The Animation Project (TAP) -- New York, NY        2/2019 -- 4/2020

Creative Director

• Ran TAP Studio - a startup animation studio which draws its workforce from TAP’s advanced level internship/training program.
• Developed new business pitches, industry partnerships and grant proposals.
• Supervised and directed projects ranging from animated short films, community public art/AR events,
  and interactive VFX/animation for a major benefit concert.

Dan Shefelman Studio -- Irvington, NY        1/1999 – Present

Designer / Director

Create, write and develop film, TV, print and online animation. Clients include ReelFX, Hornet, SXSW Interactive, Disney Animation, Samsung, DQ Entertainment, L’Occitane, Optimum, VH­1, Volkswagen.

Digimax Studio -- Taipei, Taiwan        1/2009 – 12/2011

Director / Writer / Art Director

Co-wrote the script for an animated feature in development. Managed a team of 25 story artists, character and concept artists to create visual development, animation test and 90 minute story reel.

World Leaders – New York, NY 12/2008 – 12/2009

Storyboard Artist

Storyboarded Venture Brothers and Robotomy series for Cartoon Network.

CNN -- Atlanta, GA        1/2008 – 1/2009

Creator / Writer / Director

Created, produced and directed Red and Blue – an animated political cartoon featured on the home page of CNNPolitics.com during the 2008 Presidential Election.

Blue Sky Studios  – White Plains, NY        11/1999 – 9/2007

Writer / Senior Story Artist

Developed characters and story structure and drew storyboards for Twentieth Century Fox / Blue Sky’s Oscar Nominated first feature Ice Age with director Chris Wedge. Co-wrote with Carlos Saldanha Gone Nutty — the first Scrat animated short film which was nominated for the Oscar. Storyboarded Robots and Ice Age: The Meltdown. Storyboarded Epic in development (formerly titled Leaf Men).

MTV Animation – New York, NY        3/1995 – 10/1999

Design Director / Story Artist

Storyboarded special creature effects sequences for MTV’s first theatrical feature, Joe’s Apartment. Visual development, storyboarding and layout for the first MTV animated feature Beavis and Butt-Head. Worked as a designer and story artist on The Head, Celebrity Deathmatch, Downtown and several development projects.

Jumbo Pictures / Nickelodeon – New York, NY        3/1990 – 3/1992

Design Director

Supervised a team of 12 artists designing sets, props and characters for Nickelodeon's popular, award winning animated series, Doug.

New York Newsday -- New York, NY        5/1986 – 3/1992

Editorial Cartoonist

Wrote and illustrated editorial cartoons satirizing New York City, US and World politics. Syndicated worldwide by Copley News Service. In 1990, created a business comic strip, Funny Money, which was syndicated by King Features in 50 newspapers nationwide.

Honors and Awards

• 2020 Awarded Epic MegaGrant by Epic Games Inc
• 2019 Appointed to NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment Animation Industry Advisory Council
• 2013 Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year. Published as title page
• 2006 One Show Interactive Bronze Award for interactive Samsung Anyfilms
• 1999 ASIFA Award for Excellence in Humor – Jeffersons’ Starship Nick-­at-­Nite on-­air promo (designer/director)
• 1999 ASIFA Hollywood Annie Award nomination for Jeffersons’ Starship
• 1999 Promax Gold Award for Jeffersons’ Starship