Animation Director · AI Video Production · Active Secret Clearance

Nicholas
Viola

Multimedia visual communications specialist with 10+ years directing animation teams and pioneering AI-driven video workflows for the US Air Force Research Laboratory and defense contractors.

Veo3KlingLTX2MidjourneySeedance Motion Design3D Animation After EffectsDoD / AFRLSecret Clearance
10+
Years Experience
100+
Deliverables
40%
Faster with AI Pipeline
3
AAA Game Credits
Creative Director.
Technical Pioneer.

For six years I have been embedded at the US Air Force Research Laboratory in Beavercreek, Ohio, leading a team of 6–8 artists producing episodic multimedia content under strict DoD branding guidelines, OPSEC requirements, and structured stakeholder review processes.

I was among the first in my organization to develop a production-grade AI video pipeline using Veo3, Kling, and LTX2 — reducing episode production time by 40% while maintaining cinematic quality standards appropriate for government communications.

My background spans AAA game development credits, university-level instruction, over a decade of freelance motion design, and an MFA in Computer Animation from Miami International University of Art & Design.

6+ years embedded at AFRL, Beavercreek OH
Led 6–8 person creative team across 100+ deliverables
Managed budgets, timesheets & production assignments
Pioneered AI video pipeline — 40% production time reduction
AAA game credits: BioWare, Activision, Gearbox/Sega
MFA, Computer Animation — Miami International University
Active DoD Secret Security Clearance
Adjunct Instructor — Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Portfolio
01
Rendering · Motion Graphics · HUD Design · Environmental
3D Visualization & Graphic Design
Tesla Technology HUD Infographic
Motion Graphics · HUD Design · 3D Visualization
Tesla Technology Breakdown — Cinematic HUD Infographic

Panoramic HUD-driven infographic breaking down Tesla's core technology systems — batteries, AI autopilot, propulsion, electric motors, wireless updates, and lean manufacturing — using a cinematic dark-field aesthetic with layered cyan and amber data overlays.

Heritage Lobby with Touch Screen Animation HUD
Visual Design · Installation
Heritage Lobby with Touch Screen Animation HUD

A fusion of design, integration, and interactivity — merging touch screen animation, HUD-inspired motion design, and environmental concept development into a unified immersive lobby experience.

Technology Heritage Wall Display
Visual Design · Installation
Technology Heritage Wall Display with QR Code Integration

End-to-end production spanning design, fabrication-ready layout, and AI-assisted image generation — bringing archival technology history to life through large-format visual display with interactive QR code integration.

Rocket Lab Room Design Concept Render
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — Concept Overview

High-fidelity concept render for a rocket lab room environment — produced for Air Force heritage and design communication, combining architectural visualization with technical accuracy.

Rocket Lab Room Design View 01
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — View 01

High-fidelity environment render developed for Air Force installation design and stakeholder communication.

Rocket Lab Room Design View 02
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — View 02

Alternate angle showcasing spatial composition, material detail, and lighting across the full installation space.

Rocket Lab Room Design View 03
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — View 03

Supporting fabrication planning and approval workflows for a permanent Air Force installation.

Rocket Lab Room Design View 04
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — View 04

Focus on material surface quality, environmental props, and spatial storytelling for an immersive installation.

Rocket Lab Room Design View 05
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — View 05

Lighting transitions and close-up material fidelity across key focal areas of the installation design.

Rocket Lab Room Design View 06
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — View 06

Wide-angle view showcasing full spatial layout, ceiling detail, and integrated display elements across the complete installation footprint.

Rocket Lab Room Design View 07
3D Rendering · Air Force Heritage
Rocket Lab Room Design — View 07

Final render establishing the complete environmental vision as presented to Air Force stakeholders for installation approval.

Lobby Environment
3D Visualization · Architectural
Lobby Environment Visualization

High-fidelity architectural visualization of a modern lobby environment — lighting, materials, and spatial composition developed for client presentation and fabrication planning.

Lobby Environment 02
3D Visualization · Architectural
Lobby Environment Visualization — 02

Second angle of the lobby environment — showcasing alternate spatial composition, lighting mood, and material detail developed for client presentation.

Outdoor Environment Shot 01
3D Visualization · Exterior
Outdoor Environment Render — Shot 01

Exterior environment visualization combining detailed geometry, realistic lighting, and atmospheric rendering for architectural and design communication.

Second Floor Elevator
3D Visualization · Interior
Second Floor Elevator Bay

Interior visualization of a second-floor elevator bay — developed to support design review, client approval, and construction coordination for an AFRL facility.

Tech Corner Environment
3D Visualization · Environment
Tech Corner Environment Design

Detailed environment visualization of a technology-focused corner space — showcasing material complexity, lighting integration, and design intent for installation planning.

Kitchen Final Render
3D Visualization · Interior Design
Kitchen Environment — Final Render

Photorealistic kitchen interior render with full material and lighting resolution — produced for design visualization and client presentation.

Kitchen Wireframe
3D Visualization · Wireframe
Kitchen Environment — Wireframe

Wireframe view revealing mesh topology, edge flow, and structural geometry underlying the final photorealistic kitchen render.

A29 Logo Concept — 3D Integration
Logo Design · 3D Integration · Compositing
A29 Logo Concept — 3D Integration & Compositing

Logo concept developed with full 3D integration and compositing — merging dimensional rendering with graphic design and visual effects for a cohesive branded identity.

FOG Concepts — Logo and Branding
Logo Design · Branding
FOG Concepts — Logo & Brand Identity

Logo and branding concept suite — identity design developed with a focus on visual clarity, mark versatility, and cohesive brand language across applications.

02
AI Video · Motion Graphics · Animation Production
Motion & Animation
AFRL Tech
Training Content · DoD · eLearning
AFRL Tech: Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing

Narrative-driven training and eLearning video combining motion graphics, video editing, and audience-focused visual storytelling — produced for Air Force stakeholders and DoD instructional communications.

Watch on YouTube ↗
Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine
YouTube · Motion Design
Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine

Animation, motion graphics, and visual storytelling for Air Force research and educational content.

Watch on YouTube ↗
AFRL RDE
YouTube · Motion Design
AFRL Rotating Detonation Engines (RDE)

Full production pipeline from concept through delivery — motion design, animation, and video editing for defense communications.

Watch on YouTube ↗
AI Video Production Reel
YouTube · AI Production · eLearning
AI/Unreal Animation Examples

AI-assisted pipeline using Veo3, Kling, and LTX2 — applied to DoD occupational medicine eLearning modules, with systematic prompt engineering ensuring character consistency and cinematic quality across multi-episode training sequences.

Watch on YouTube ↗
Space Satellite Deployment and Repair — 3D Animation
YouTube · 3D Animation · Modeling & Rendering
Space Satellite Deployment & Repair

Fully original 3D animation — modeled, rigged, animated, and rendered. Cinematic sequence visualizing satellite deployment and on-orbit repair operations with detailed hard-surface modeling, space environment lighting, and camera-driven storytelling.

Watch on YouTube ↗
Heritage Lobby Touch Screen Idle Animation
YouTube · Motion Design · Interactive
Heritage Lobby — Touch Screen Idle & HUD Animation

Idle screen and animated HUD sequence for the interactive touch screen interface featured in the AFRL heritage lobby installation — motion design bridging environmental graphics and interactive experience design.

Watch on YouTube ↗
03
ZBrush · Character & Creature Design · High-Poly
Digital Sculpting
Spawn Character Model
Character Sculpt · High-Poly
Spawn Character Model

High-poly digital sculpt of the Spawn character — detailed surface anatomy, costume complexity, and cape topology developed in ZBrush.

Alien Character Sculpt
Creature Sculpt · Organic
Alien Character Sculpt

Organic creature sculpt with detailed exoskeletal surface, biomechanical anatomy, and high-frequency skin detail developed in ZBrush.

Alienware Character Model
Character Sculpt · Concept
Alienware Character Model

Character concept sculpt for the Alienware brand — blending organic anatomy with hard-surface mechanical elements and tech-inspired design language.

Boxer Character Sculpt
Character Sculpt · Anatomy
Boxer Character Sculpt

Anatomically-focused character sculpt — musculature, skin folds, and surface tension studied from reference to achieve realistic form and weight.

Dragon Age Character Sculpt
Character Sculpt · AAA
Dragon Age Character Sculpt

High-poly sculpt from the Dragon Age franchise — detailed armor, skin, and facial anatomy developed to AAA production standards.

Dragon Age Character Model
Character Model · AAA
Dragon Age Character Model

Full character model from the Dragon Age production pipeline — topology, UV layout, and surface detail ready for rigging and in-engine integration.

Head Model Render
Character Sculpt · Portrait
Head Model — Final Render

Photorealistic head render showcasing subsurface scattering, pore-level surface detail, and cinematic lighting through a full ZBrush-to-render pipeline.

Head Process Model
Character Sculpt · Process
Head Model — Sculpt Process

In-progress view documenting primary forms, secondary surface development, and iterative refinement from base mesh to high-poly detail pass.

Organic Iron Man
Character Sculpt · Hard Surface
Organic Iron Man Model

Organic reinterpretation of the Iron Man suit — blending hard-surface panel design with flowing biological forms and integrated armor detail in ZBrush.

04
V-Ray · Photorealistic Rendering · Materials & Shading
Product Visualization
Sci-Fi Gun Render
Product Viz · Hard Surface
Sci-Fi Gun Asset — Render

Photorealistic product visualization of a sci-fi firearm — material complexity, surface wear, and cinematic lighting across a hero asset render.

Sci-Fi Gun Alternate
Product Viz · Hard Surface
Sci-Fi Gun Asset — Alternate View

Alternate angle and lighting setup highlighting panel seams, emissive detail, and material variation across the full sci-fi firearm asset.

Scope Process
Product Viz · Process
Scope Asset — Modeling Process

In-progress documentation of the scope asset build — mesh construction, detail passes, and technical modeling decisions across the production pipeline.

Scope Textures
Product Viz · Texturing
Scope Asset — Texture & Material Pass

PBR surface breakdown for the scope asset — roughness, metallic, and normal map integration developed through a full texturing pipeline.

Speaker Final Render
Product Viz · Consumer Electronics
Speaker — Final Render

High-fidelity product visualization featuring fabric mesh, metal hardware, and rubber gasket materials under controlled studio lighting.

Speaker Wireframe
Product Viz · Wireframe
Speaker — Wireframe

Wireframe view revealing clean topology, edge loop strategy, and mesh density across the curved and planar surfaces of the speaker model.

Vault Final Render
Product Viz · Mechanical
Vault — Final Render

Cinematic product render featuring steel materials, locking mechanisms, and manufactured finish detail under dramatic lighting.

Vault Wireframe
Product Viz · Wireframe
Vault — Wireframe

Wireframe breakdown showing mechanical detail topology, hinge geometry, and structural mesh distribution underlying the photorealistic vault render.

Tools & Skills
AI Video Production
  • Veo3 (image-to-video, text-to-video)
  • Kling AI
  • LTX2
  • Runway ML
  • Midjourney
  • Seedance
  • Pika Labs
  • Prompt Engineering
  • Character Consistency
Motion & Video
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Final Cut Pro
  • DaVinci Resolve
  • Cinema 4D
  • Motion Graphics
  • Color Grading
3D & Design
  • Autodesk 3ds Max
  • Maya
  • ZBrush
  • Unreal Engine
  • V-Ray
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
Program Management
  • Budget Tracking & Reporting
  • Timesheet Management
  • Production Assignment & Scheduling
  • Team Lead — 6–8 Person Creative Team
  • Stakeholder Review Coordination
  • Contract Deliverable Tracking
  • DoD Review Cycles & OPSEC Compliance
  • Scope Management & Milestone Planning
Experience
2019 — Present
Animation Director / Multimedia Production Lead
STI-TEC · Sentir Research Labs — Contracted to US Air Force Research Laboratory, Beavercreek OH
  • Lead a 6–8 person creative team producing episodic multimedia content for AFRL and defense audiences across 100+ deliverables
  • Managed budgets, timesheets, and production assignments across concurrent DoD contracts — ensuring on-time delivery within scope and resource constraints
  • Pioneered AI-assisted video pipeline using Veo3, Kling, and LTX2, reducing production time by 40%
  • Produced multi-episode eLearning modules for USAFSAM occupational medicine training — including AI video, 3D product animations, and motion graphics — meeting DoD instructional design standards
  • Collaborated directly with Air Force program managers and SMEs through structured review cycles
  • Developed prompt engineering frameworks ensuring character consistency and brand compliance across multi-clip sequences
  • Contributed visual assets to a DARPA SHAPE proposal for a DoD Anthropometric Data Platform
2014 — 2019
3D Visualization Artist & Motion Designer
Infoscitex — Contracted to US Air Force Research Laboratory, Beavercreek OH
  • Produced 3D visualization and motion graphics for AFSIM (Air Force Simulation) defense analysis and research communications
  • Designed and fabricated large-format environmental installations at WPAFB — heritage lobby displays, dimensional wall graphics, and schematic collages
  • Supported defense visualization pipelines across multiple AFRL directorates
  • Managed production assignments and coordinated deliverable schedules within a DoD contractor environment
2010 — Present
Freelance Motion Designer & Video Editor
Various Clients · Remote
  • Motion graphics, animated brand assets, lower thirds, and title sequences for broadcast and digital clients
  • Promotional and marketing video with strong emphasis on visual storytelling and brand consistency
2012 — 2016
Full-Time Instructor — Game Art, Animation & VFX
Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Developed and delivered curriculum in motion graphics, 3D animation, and visual effects
  • Mentored emerging talent in visual storytelling, composition, and audience-focused design
Education
MFA, Computer Animation
Miami International University of Art & Design
BFA, Computer Animation
Miami International University of Art & Design
AAA Game Credits
Dragon Age: Origins Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Aliens: Colonial Marines
Contact

Available for Animation Director, AI Video Production, and Creative Director roles — in the Dayton/Wright-Patterson area or remote.

Active DoD Secret Clearance