Susan Taaffe

3D Animator

General info
3D Animator
Chicago
I am a 3D artist and animator currently working freelance in Chicago. I have over 15 years of broadcast animation experience primarily using Maya. I specialize in animation and modeling, but I also have considerable experience in other aspects of CG such as rendering, rigging, lighting and dynamics, tracking (nCloth and Realflow in particular).

I teach animation classes at Columbia College Chicago, and Flashpoint Chicago/Columbia College Hollywood. I have also taught animation at New York University, the School of Visual Arts in New York and at the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago.

Experience
Chicago, IL
Jan 2016 - Present
Adjunct Instructor
Columbia College Chicago
I teach 3D composition in the Interactive Arts and Animation department and 3D character design in the Cinema Arts and Sciences Department
Los Angeles, C
Jan 2020 - Present
Adjunct Instructor of Animation
Columbia College Hollywood / Online
I teach classes in 3D modeling, Animataion and Rigging. I recently received an Excellence in Teaching Award from CCH
Chicagoland area
Jun 2011 - Sep 2011
Maya Generalist
Pre-viz animation for Warner Brothers' "Man of Steel" release date June 2013
Note: The clip included on my reel is captioned "Autumn Frost" which was the code name for the film during production.
Chicago, IL
Jul 2010 - Present
Freelance Animator
Multiple Projects (freelance)

August 2012 Animation for Callaway Golf
January 2012 RealFlow simulation for Marlboro
December 2011 animation/render wrangling for Dodge
March 2011: animation for Gordman's spot
February 2011: nCloth and RealFlow simuation for Maytag
December 2010: nCloth simulations for Frigidaire Spot
October 2010 – November 2010: 2 minute Character animation project for Aristocrat
July 2010 – August 2010: Realflow simulations and Maya animation for Maytag
Chicago, IL
Feb 2013 - Present
Animator
Rigging and Animation for Contigo product intro

Rigging and Animation for Idex product intro
Chicago, IL
Apr 2014 - Apr 2014
animator
Medical animation
Chicago, Il
Jan 2010 - Dec 2018
Adjunct Instructor of animation
Illinois Institute of Art
I taught classes in 3D Animation, Rigging, and Portfolio Review
New York, NY
Nov 2006 - Dec 2009
Senior Animator/Generalist
Multiple projects, in broadcast, film,  and  web:

Clients include: Time Warner, Hasbro, Crest, Staples, Dunkin Donuts, Centrum, Lysol,  Samsung, Lanacane, ESPN
New York, NY
Jan 1999 - Nov 2006
Animator/ 3D Generalist
Freelance
Multiple freelance projects at companies including:

Click 3X
Curious Pictures
Team Heavy
Studiolo Design
Collider
Artifact Pictures
Reel Fx
Croog Studios
Piranha Pictures
Blink FX
Chicago
Jan 2010 - Present
Instructor
Future Media Concepts
Teach Introductory and Advanced classes in Maya software
Fairview, NJ
Oct 1999 - May 2002
Animator
Clever Image
Staff Animator. modeler

“The Storyteller Cafe”  1/2 hour childrens TV series for CBN Animation (Telly, Omni & Axiom awards 2001)
"Jam Club" 60 second opening of childrens TV series for CBN Animation - India
"The Witness” 1 hour TV special for CBN Animation (2D with 3D effects)
New York, NY
Jun 1999 - Jan 2009
Adjunct Instructor of Animation
New York University
I taught classes in 3D animation in the Masters Program and in Continuing Ed
New York, NY
Jan 2004 - Jan 2007
Adjunct Instructor of Animation
School of Visual Arts
I taught classes in 3D Animation in Continuing Ed
Education
Columbus, OH
MFA Painting & Drawing
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
BFA Painting & Drawing
Ohio State University
New York, NY
Maya
New York University CADA
Extra Curricular Activities
My Shops
My Marionette Shop: Hand crafted, one of a kind Marionettes
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ofMiceandMarionettes

My 3D Prints Shop: unique 3D printed items
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/LittleRaats
Software
Maya 2022
Arnold
After Effects
ZBrush
Substance Painter/designer