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richard unger is...
a New York City–based animator and recent graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design specializing in both traditional and puppet animation. With experience across every stage of the animation pipeline—from concept development and storyboarding to animation, compositing, and cleanup—his work is driven by a passion for experimentation and visual storytelling.
His goal is to expand the possibilities of animation as an art form, bringing fresh and unconventional storytelling into today’s creative landscape. Through a fusion of styles and mediums, Richard seeks to develop work that is visually distinctive, imaginative, and deeply human.
RICHARD UNGER: ANIMATOR • MOTION MEDIA ARTIST • VISUAL STORYTELLER
(248) 404-7002 | richard@weshouldhirerichardunger.com | Brooklyn, New York
Portfolio: weshouldhirerichardunger.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Animator and visual storyteller specializing in 2D animation, motion media, and character-driven visual narrative. Background includes commercial animation, puppetry, stop-motion, and youth-focused creative programming.
TECHNICAL & CREATIVE SKILLS
2D Animation • Motion Graphics • Traditional Animation • Stop-Motion Animation • Storyboarding • Character Design Animatics • Narrative Development • Film Production • Editing • Sound Design • 3D Rigging & Animation Puppet/Object Movement • Creative Workshop Development • Visual Development
SOFTWARE
Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects • Premiere Pro • Photoshop • Illustrator)
• Toon Boom Harmony • Dragonframe • Blender
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Motion Media Animator
Parabolic — Birmingham, MI / Remote 2021–Present
Collaborated on 2D animation development, visual storytelling, and motion execution for a range of creative campaigns and visual media projects.
Youth Program Council Member
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit — Detroit, MI 2017–2020
Developed and facilitated arts-based workshops and creative programming for children and teenagers through the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Supported youth programming focused on visual art, creative expression, and community engagement. Collaborated with museum staff and young artists to create accessible arts experiences.
Founder / Festival Director
Eyerus Film Festival — Royal Oak, MI 2017–2022
Founded and curated a youth film festival showcasing student work from schools across Metro Detroit. Organized film submissions, programming, screenings, promotion, and event coordination. Hosted festival screenings at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. Built a platform for emerging young filmmakers to publicly screen and celebrate their work.
AWARDS, EXHIBITIONS & RECOGNITION
Participant, National Puppetry Conference — Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 2025
Studied object-movement puppetry under Berlin-based puppeteer Alice Gottschalk in The Language of Material and Objects.
Selected Film, “Bloom” — Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Pretty/Ugly Exhibition, 2019
Event Key Art / Poster, “Pigsty” — Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Pigsty Exhibition, 2018
Selected Film, “Limbs” — Cinetopia Film Festival, 2018
Best of Show & Best Animated Short, “Bloom” — Michigan Student Film Festival, presented by DAFT, 2018
EDUCATION
Savannah College of Art and Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Animation — Savannah, GA | 2019–2024