Daniel Pernikoff

DIRECTOR | ART DIRECTOR | COMPOSITOR | ANIMATOR

I am senior art director, lead compositor, and animator for the film, television, and commercial industry, based out of Chicago. I graduated from RISD with a degree in Graphic Design, with a strong interest in film and photography. I was always interested in the combination of strong graphic design, cinematography and animation, but I didn’t realize I could combine all of my passions into one job. After graduation I was hired at Digital Kitchen, which was like grad school. I am so grateful for the knowledge and opportunities I acquired at Digital Kitchen. After leaving DK, I moved to New York for 6 years, freelancing at all of the studios that with which I was inspired by. The experience was invaluable. I met amazing people and was continually inspired.

I don’t consider myself just an animator, designer, or just a compositor. I think of myself as a problem solver and a thinker who can use any medium to achieve whatever story I am trying to convey. I have a love and fascination with storytelling, which stems from interests in comic books, movies, and cartoons. I thrive off the challenge of a problem, and I bring all of the concepts, skills and knowledge my education at RISD and professional experience thus far has brought me. I am always trying to push myself in whatever venture I am pursuing.