RESUMÉ & FILM CREDITS

 

 

OBJECTIVE

To continue to expand my creative and artistic abilities with design and storytelling challenges in both the entertainment industry and my personal work—and have FUN

while doing it.
 

SELECTED EXPERIENCE

DreamWorks Animation  Glendale, California • Character Designer
Designed characters for Penguins of Madagascar animated feature.
 

Disney TV Animation  Glendale, California • Art Director

Art Director for upcoming Monsters at Work series for the Disney+ streaming platform.
 

Disney TV Animation  Glendale, California • Lead Character Designer

Lead Character Designer for upcoming Monsters at Work series for the Disney+ streaming platform. Also contributed to the early visual development phase of several animated Disney Jr. shows, including designs for some of the lead characters of The Lion Guard.

 

Reel FX  Dallas, Texas • Character Designer

Created character designs for a variety of animation projects including feature films, commercials, apps, and updating the design of Chuck E. Cheese for the restaurant franchise.

Vanguard Animation  Los Angeles, California • Character Designer
Contributed character designs to the visual development phase of multiple feature animated projects still in development and/or production.

Rhythm & Hues  Los Angeles, California • Concept Designer, Illlustrator
Assisted with concept design on The Incredible Hulk including Hulk transformation sequence and battle damage. Designed characters and created final print-ready illustrations for various commercial clients.

Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.  Chatsworth, California • Character Designer
Created character designs using both traditional and digital media for feature films such as Bubble Boy, The Santa Clause 2, Zookeeper, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, Scary Movie 3, and the Alien vs. Predator films. Contributed to exploratory character and makeup design phases for projects such as The Cat in the Hat and Garfield that were ultimately produced by other companies. Sculpted creature maquettes and produced composite Photoshop images for the sci-fi book Worlds. Designed behind-the-scenes books for Alien vs. Predator and its sequel, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.

Spectral Motion  Glendale, California • Character Designer
Contributed designs for characters, creatures, and make-up effects on a variety of feature films including Fantastic Four, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Altered. Participated in early exploratory design phases for films such as Where the Wild Things Are, Iron Man, and MEG.

Rick Baker's Cinovation Studios  Glendale, California • Character Designer/Storyboards
Developed creatures, characters, props, and paint schemes for the feature film Men in Black 2. Also storyboarded script sequences and painted animatronic puppet skins and creature suits. Designed characters and make-ups for the feature film The Haunted Mansion.

Pacific Vision  South Pasadena, California • Digital Artist
Helped create digital visual effects for the feature film Austin Powers in Goldmember, including designing and animating onscreen graphics, rotoscoping, creating digital matte paintings, and painting textures for 3D computer models.

Art Center College of Design   Pasadena, California • Part-time Faculty
Taught an upper level course in Character Design that focused on creating characters and creatures that were not only strong visually but also strong in story and personality.

 

Other clients have included Sony Pictures Animation, Amazon Studios, Arc Productions, and Computer Graphics Master Academy (CGMA).

EDUCATION

St. Norbert College   De Pere, Wisconsin
Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude
Graphic Communications Major

Studio Art Centers International   Florence, Italy
Semester Abroad Program
Studio Art and Art History

Academy of Communication Arts   Bloomington, Minnesota
Computer Art and Animation Certificate

The Animation Academy   Burbank, California
Various courses in Character Design

SKILLS

Art Direction
Character/Creature Design
Visual Development
Traditional and Digital Media
Caricature/Cartooning
Illustration
Storyboarding
Sculpting
Graphic Design
Book Design & Production Layout
 

FILM & TV CREDITS

MONSTERS AT WORK (2021) Art Director, Character Design Lead, Disney TV Animation
NEOCATS (In development) Character Design, Art Direction, Paperclip LTD.
THE LION GUARD (2015) Early-stage Character Design, Disney TV Animation

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR (2014) Character Design, DreamWorks Animation

ZOOKEEPER (2011)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
JONAH HEX (2010)  Character and Makeup Design, Tinsley Makeup FX Studio
STAR TREK (2009)  Character Design, Neville Page Design

BIG ALIEN MUSICAL (Unreleased) Character Design, Sony Pictures Animation
THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008)  Concept Design, Rhythm & Hues
ALIENS vs. PREDATOR: REQUIEM (2007)  Character Design, ADI
LONELY STREET (Unreleased)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
LUCIFER (2007)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
HOBGOBBERS (In development)  Character Design, Whamaphram Productions
X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (2006)  Character Design, Spectral Motion
FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (Unreleased)  Character Design, Spectral Motion
FANTASTIC FOUR (2005)  Character Design, Spectral Motion
WELCOME TO THE DARKLANDS (Unreleased)  Character Design, Spectral Motion
MEG (Unreleased)  Character Design, Spectral Motion
ALTERED (2006)  Character Design, Spectral Motion
AVP: ALIEN vs. PREDATOR (2004)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
GARFIELD (2004)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.

SCARY MOVIE 3 (2003)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
THE HAUNTED MANSION (2003)  Character Design, Rick Baker's Cinovation Studios
LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION (2003)  Character Design, ADI
MONSTER SEEDS (Unreleased)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
AUSTIN POWERS in GOLDMEMBER (2002)  Digital Effects & Design, Pacific Vision
THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 (2002)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
MEN IN BLACK 2 (2002)  Character Design, Rick Baker's Cinovation Studios
EVOLUTION (2001)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.
BUBBLE BOY (2001)  Character Design, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.

BOOKS

The Daily Zoo - Vol. 3: Healing Together (2015)
by Chris Ayers
Author/Illustrator, Book Design and Production Layout

The Daily Zoo Goes to Paris! (2012)
by Chris Ayers
Author/Illustrator, Book Design and Production Layout

MY Daily Zoo - A Drawing Activity Book for All Ages (2011)
by Chris Ayers
Author/Illustrator, Book Design and Production Layout

The Daily Zoo - Year Two: Still Keeping the Doctor At Bay With A Drawing A Day (2009)
by Chris Ayers
Author/Illustrator, Book Design and Production Layout

The Daily Zoo - Vol. 1: Keeping the Doctor At Bay With A Drawing A Day (2008)
by Chris Ayers, foreword by J.J. Abrams
Author/Illustrator, Book Design and Production Layout

Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem: Inside the Monster Shop (2007)
by Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr. with Chris Ayers, foreword by The Bros. Strause
Book Design & Production Layout, Photography, Contributing Writer

Alien vs. Predator: The Creature Effects of ADI (2004)
by Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr., foreword by Lance Henriksen
Book Design & Production Layout, Photography, Contributing Writer

Worlds: A Mission of Discovery (2004)
by Alec Gillis, foreword by James Cameron
Photoshop Illustration, Sculpture, Photography

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Curious about having me speak at your event? Contact me for details and availability.

 

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Keynote Speaker for the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center's annual National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration (2019)

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Blizzard Entertainment • Irvine, CA

Guest speaker as part of the "/learn" program, organized by Blizzard Academy to offer outside sources of inspiration to their employees (2016)

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MedStar Institute for Innovation • Washington, D.C.

Presenter at annual MI2 Forum on Innovation (2015)
This presentation was recorded and can be seen here.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Minnesota Chapter • Minneapolis, MN

Keynote Speaker for annual Lifeblood Awards Event (2015)

Mayo Clinic • Rochester, MN

Presenter at Regional Arts In Healthcare Symposium (2014)

Torrance Memorial Medical Center • Torrance, CA

Keynote Speaker for National Cancer Survivors Day Event (2014)

 

St. Norbert College • De Pere, WI

Delivered the commencement address to the graduating class (2014)
This speech was recorded and can be seen here.

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Delaware Chapter • Newark, DE

Closing Speaker for annual Blood Cancer Conference (2013)

 

Merina Healing Arts • Boise, ID

Keynote Speaker for National Cancer Survivors Day Event (2013)

 

Fondazione ANT (providing end-of-life care & support to cancer patients) • Bologna, Italy

Presented the story of the Daily Zoo and my journey with cancer to staff (2013)

 

University of Minnesota • Minneapolis, MN

Closing Speaker for annual Cancer Survivorship Conference (2013)

 

Mayo Clinic • Rochester, MN

Keynote Speaker for annual Nursing Retention Event (2013)

 

Mayo Clinic • Rochester, MN

Keynote Speaker for National Cancer Survivors Day Event (2012)

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Central Pennsylvania Chapter • Hershey, PA

Keynote Speaker for annual Blood Cancer Conference (2012)

 

Owatonna Arts Center • Owatonna, MN

Presented in conjunction with a Daily Zoo art exhibit and their Healing Arts Program (2011)

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society • Orlando, FL

Closing Speaker for National Family Support Group Facilitator Conference (2011)

 

Hudson Hospital & Clinics • Hudson, WI

Presentation through their Healing Arts Program (2010)

 

Hennepin County Medical Center • Minneapolis, MN

Presentation as part of their Celebrating Arts in Healthcare Month activities (2010)

 

The Penny George Institute for Health & Healing

at Abbott Northwestern Hospital • Minneapolis, MN

Presentation through their Art of Healing program (2010)

 

The Gifted Artist Show • Loma Linda, CA

Presented at a fundraising benefit for Loma Linda Children's Hospital (2009)

 

UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center • Los Angeles, CA

Keynote Speaker for annual Cancer Survivor's Celebration of Life Event (2009)

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Minnesota Chapter • Minneapolis, MN

Keynote Speaker for Cancer Survivors Night Event (2009)

 

ART GUEST LECTURES & WORKSHOPS

Curious about having me visit your school? Contact me for details and availability.

 

Blizzard Entertainment • Irvine, CA (2016)

OTIS School of Design • Los Angeles, CA (multiple occasions)

Mayo Clinic • Rochester, MN (Creative Renewal workshops on multiple occasions)

St. Norbert College • De Pere, WI (multiple occasions)

Woodbury University • Burbank, CA (2013)

Institut Montana • Zug, Switzerland (2012)

Lucca Comics & Games • Lucca, Italy (Lucca Junior kids workshop, 2012)

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society • Hershey, PA (2012)

Art Center College of Design • Pasadena, CA (2011)

Bethesda Hospital • St. Paul, MN (2010)

Holy Family Elementary School • Green Bay, WI (2010)

Saint Mary's University • Winona, MN (2009)

 

EXHIBITIONS

La Scuderia • Bologna, Italy

"The Daily Zoo" (2013)

 

Lucca Comics & Games • Lucca, Italy

"The Ayers Zoo" (2012)

 

Galerie Daniel Maghen • Paris, France

"The Book Show" - a group show featuring images inspired by favorite books (2012)

 

Mayo Clinic • Rochester, MN

"The Daily Zoo: Keeping the Doctor at Bay with a Drawing a Day" (2012)

 

Galerie Daniel Maghen • Paris, France

"Weatherly - Ayers" - a dual exhibition with the talented Joe Weatherly (2012)

 

Owatonna Arts Center • Owatonna, MN

"The Daily Zoo" (2011)

 

Bethesda Hospital • St. Paul, MN

"The Daily Zoo" (2010)

 

Penny George Institute for Health and Healing • Minneapolis, MN

"The Art of Healing" - a dual exhibition with painter Sarah Schaleger (2010)

 

Saint Mary's University • Winona, MN

"The Daily Zoo - The Art of Chris Ayers" (2009)

 

St. Norbert College • De Pere, WI

"Alumni Animal Art - Book Illustrations by Nick Patton '03 and Chris Ayers '97" (2008)