Alex Nechifor

Projects

Clients

About Me

Hi! I’m a freelance animator and illustrator with a solid 3D generalist skill set and 10 years of experience across games, interactive experiences, AR/VR and branded content.

I work best in small, agile teams where versatility matters - tackling creative and technical challenges across disciplines, and delivering polished results under real production constraints. My focus is always on solid craft, clear storytelling and efficient workflows.

Hi! I’m a freelance animator and illustrator with a solid 3D generalist skill set and 10 years of experience across games, interactive experiences, AR/VR and branded content.

About Me

Hi! I’m a freelance animator and illustrator with a solid 3D generalist skill set and 10 years of experience across games, interactive experiences, AR/VR and branded content.

Work History

11/2020 - 12/2025

Animator, rigger, 3D generalist at plai studio

Multi-reality experiences and mobile games for Nike, Disney, Meta, Google, BBC, Channel 4, Peacock, Christie's, Timberland, Snap, Live Nation, Kygo, Kraft, PetLabCo, Purina, General Mills, ESPN, Dior, The North Face, Costa, Moncler, Adidas, Pokerstars Casino, Bonnaroo, and others. Software: Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop, After Effects, Esoteric Spine, Unity, Lens Studio, Meta Spark

11/2020 - 12/2025

Animator, rigger, 3D generalist at plai studio

05/2020 - 07/2020

3D Animator and Rigger at Vision3

3D asset optimization for realtime (retopology, texture baking), rigging and animation for Valens Reef VR Experience. Software: Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop

05/2020 - 07/2020

3D Animator and Rigger at Vision3

3D asset optimization for realtime (retopology, texture baking), rigging and animation for Valens Reef VR Experience. Software: Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop

10/2018 - 05/2020

Lead 2D Game Animator at R/GA London

Production of digital books included in the Happy Meal App, with animated illustrations based on stories by Cresida Cowel, best known for the book series "How to Train Your Dragon". As Lead Animator, I was responsible for developing workflows involving the preparation of assets in Photoshop, rigging and animating them in Esoteric Spine and integrating them in Unity, coordinating with the rest of the team - animators, designers, developers and producers. Software: Photoshop, Spine, Unity

10/2018 - 05/2020

Lead 2D Game Animator at R/GA London

9/2015 - 10/2018

Freelance Animator, Illustrator, Motion designer at CDM London, Blue Drop Studio, Munk Studios, Seed Animation, Trigger, Golin, Contented Brothers, Muckle Hen Productions, BBD Perfect Storm, Dice Media Communications, Fifty Nine Productions

Animation, illustration and motion design on various projects for brands such as BBC, Amazon, Pfizer, Oracle, Classic FM, Lloyds Banking Group, Amgen, Pernod Ricard, Investec, Biogen, Janssen, Kwiff and others. Software: After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop

9/2015 - 10/2018

Freelance Animator, Illustrator, Motion designer at CDM London, Blue Drop Studio, Munk Studios, Seed Animation, Trigger, Golin, Contented Brothers, Muckle Hen Productions, BBD Perfect Storm, Dice Media Communications, Fifty Nine Productions

10/2014 - 9/2015

2D Game Artist and Animator at Chaos Created

Character and environment design, rigging and animation for games and apps. Software: Photoshop, Esoteric Spine, Unity, ZBrush, Maya, Keyshot, Filter Forge

10/2014 - 9/2015

2D Game Artist and Animator at Chaos Created

Character and environment design, rigging and animation for games and apps. Software: Photoshop, Esoteric Spine, Unity, ZBrush, Maya, Keyshot, Filter Forge

1/2014-7/2014

2D Game Artist at FormerDroid

Design and digital painting of backgrounds, concept development for original IP, UI asset creation, promotional artwork Software: Photoshop, Illustrator, Unity, Maya, Keyshot.

1/2014-7/2014

2D Game Artist at FormerDroid

Design and digital painting of backgrounds, concept development for original IP, UI asset creation, promotional artwork Software: Photoshop, Illustrator, Unity, Maya, Keyshot.

2003-2013

Fine Art Painter, Designer, Animator

3D sculpt, model, rig and animate for short film during BA animation course Edit, composite and animate for graduation short film “In Sight” Design catalogues and cards for decorations producer Commissions of fine art painting and Byzantine icons. Gouache on gessoed boards, oil on canvas Mural Art painting project for Bloom! Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. Acrylics on wall Software: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Maya, ZBrush

2003-2013

Fine Art Painter, Designer, Animator

11/2020 - 12/2025

Animator, rigger, 3D generalist at plai studio

05/2020 - 07/2020

3D Animator and Rigger at Vision3

3D asset optimization for realtime (retopology, texture baking), rigging and animation for Valens Reef VR Experience. Software: Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop

10/2018 - 05/2020

Lead 2D Game Animator at R/GA London

9/2015 - 10/2018

Freelance Animator, Illustrator, Motion designer at CDM London, Blue Drop Studio, Munk Studios, Seed Animation, Trigger, Golin, Contented Brothers, Muckle Hen Productions, BBD Perfect Storm, Dice Media Communications, Fifty Nine Productions

10/2014 - 9/2015

2D Game Artist and Animator at Chaos Created

Character and environment design, rigging and animation for games and apps. Software: Photoshop, Esoteric Spine, Unity, ZBrush, Maya, Keyshot, Filter Forge

1/2014-7/2014

2D Game Artist at FormerDroid

Design and digital painting of backgrounds, concept development for original IP, UI asset creation, promotional artwork Software: Photoshop, Illustrator, Unity, Maya, Keyshot.

2003-2013

Fine Art Painter, Designer, Animator

Education

2010-2013

BA (Hons) in Animation

Edinburgh College of Art, Ediburgh, UK

2010-2013

BA (Hons) in Animation

Edinburgh College of Art, Ediburgh, UK

2006-2009

BA (Hons) in Mural Art

National University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania

2006-2009

BA (Hons) in Mural Art

National University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania

2010-2013

BA (Hons) in Animation

Edinburgh College of Art, Ediburgh, UK

2006-2009

BA (Hons) in Mural Art

National University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania

Highlights

2018

Creative Pool Annual Shortlist in the category Animation - individual

For "Opera Shorts" animated series commissioned by Classic FM

2018

Creative Pool Annual Shortlist in the category Animation - individual

For "Opera Shorts" animated series commissioned by Classic FM

2014

Microsoft Beautiful Game Award - 4th place

For "Splemy" Game that I worked on at FormerDroid Game Studio

2014

Microsoft Beautiful Game Award - 4th place

For "Splemy" Game that I worked on at FormerDroid Game Studio

2014

Nominated for BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award

For "In Sight" - graduation short film for my BA (Hons) in Animation at Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, UK

2014

Nominated for BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award

For "In Sight" - graduation short film for my BA (Hons) in Animation at Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, UK

2009

Winner of Experimental Film Award at International Student Film Festival “CineMAiubit"

For "Organic" graduation short film for my BA (Hons) in Mural Art at National University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania

2009

Winner of Experimental Film Award at International Student Film Festival “CineMAiubit"

For "Organic" graduation short film for my BA (Hons) in Mural Art at National University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania

2018

Creative Pool Annual Shortlist in the category Animation - individual

For "Opera Shorts" animated series commissioned by Classic FM

2014

Microsoft Beautiful Game Award - 4th place

For "Splemy" Game that I worked on at FormerDroid Game Studio

2014

Nominated for BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award

For "In Sight" - graduation short film for my BA (Hons) in Animation at Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, UK

2009

Winner of Experimental Film Award at International Student Film Festival “CineMAiubit"

For "Organic" graduation short film for my BA (Hons) in Mural Art at National University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania

Recommendations

"Alex is a top talent. Super motivated, diligent and a master of his craft. Alex has demonstrated during his time at R/GA that he can craft and execute ideas to the highest of standards, lead a team and set the standards for large scale, global animation production. Alex has a solid technical understanding, a passion for R&D and will never settle for second best. I can't recommend him enough!"

Ben Lloyd | Experience Design at Apple

"Alex is a top talent. Super motivated, diligent and a master of his craft. Alex has demonstrated during his time at R/GA that he can craft and execute ideas to the highest of standards, lead a team and set the standards for large scale, global animation production. Alex has a solid technical understanding, a passion for R&D and will never settle for second best. I can't recommend him enough!"

Ben Lloyd | Experience Design at Apple

"Alex is a multi-faceted many-talented joy of an artist to work with. We've worked extensively together creating both real-time XR, and pre-rendered promotional and pitch assets. Alex has a rare combination of creative vision and integrity with technical problem solving abilities. He understands briefs and feedback and is always committed to understanding the assignment then executing to the highest standard. While he explicitly excels at 3D animation, his abilities in modeling, rigging, lookdev, and motion design mean that Alex is a critical part of a team from ideation through delivery."

James Dick | Executive Creative Director @ plai | Formerly R/GA, Framestore, Candy Digital NFTs

"Alex is a multi-faceted many-talented joy of an artist to work with. We've worked extensively together creating both real-time XR, and pre-rendered promotional and pitch assets. Alex has a rare combination of creative vision and integrity with technical problem solving abilities. He understands briefs and feedback and is always committed to understanding the assignment then executing to the highest standard. While he explicitly excels at 3D animation, his abilities in modeling, rigging, lookdev, and motion design mean that Alex is a critical part of a team from ideation through delivery."

James Dick | Executive Creative Director @ plai | Formerly R/GA, Framestore, Candy Digital NFTs

"Working with Alex is like suddenly gaining Super Powers. His artistic brilliance is matched by his technical brilliance. Every piece of work Alex has produced for us has been above and beyond, he never 4 settles for just "good enough", a true artist who also understands the very real world of production and delivery."

Chris Etches | CEO at plai

"Working with Alex is like suddenly gaining Super Powers. His artistic brilliance is matched by his technical brilliance. Every piece of work Alex has produced for us has been above and beyond, he never 4 settles for just "good enough", a true artist who also understands the very real world of production and delivery."

Chris Etches | CEO at plai

"Alex is an excellent animator, rigger and an artist. His attention to detail is beyond this world. He animates with limitless charm and builds rigs that enable animators to express themselves freely. He is a fierce creative who not only comes up with ideas, but has the tools to propel those ideas to launch. He is a diligent problem solver whose work ethic is one to be inspired by. I was lucky to have worked with him on several projects, and I can only hope to do so again."

Bora Demirbilek | Design & Creative Tech

"Alex is an excellent animator, rigger and an artist. His attention to detail is beyond this world. He animates with limitless charm and builds rigs that enable animators to express themselves freely. He is a fierce creative who not only comes up with ideas, but has the tools to propel those ideas to launch. He is a diligent problem solver whose work ethic is one to be inspired by. I was lucky to have worked with him on several projects, and I can only hope to do so again."

Bora Demirbilek | Design & Creative Tech

I've worked with many talented creatives, but Alex stands out as one of the very best. He's not only an exceptional animator and designer, with a rare instinct for storytelling and detail, but also a generous, collaborative presence on any project. Working with him elevates the work and everyone around him.

Chris Houston-Lock | Senior Developer

I've worked with many talented creatives, but Alex stands out as one of the very best. He's not only an exceptional animator and designer, with a rare instinct for storytelling and detail, but also a generous, collaborative presence on any project. Working with him elevates the work and everyone around him.

Chris Houston-Lock | Senior Developer

"I had the pleasure of working with Alex. His animation ability is a joy to see. Always pushing the creative to the best it can possibly be. Open and willing to bring new ways of working into the mix. Super passionate about what he does. He produces at a really high standard. Great blend of technical and craft skills. I would recommend him highly. "

Darren Whitney | Head of Design at OddCommon

"I had the pleasure of working with Alex. His animation ability is a joy to see. Always pushing the creative to the best it can possibly be. Open and willing to bring new ways of working into the mix. Super passionate about what he does. He produces at a really high standard. Great blend of technical and craft skills. I would recommend him highly. "

Darren Whitney | Head of Design at OddCommon

"My experience working with Alex was incredibly positive. His standard of work is excellent. He briefs very well, taking a deep understanding of the project, and will offer proactive suggestions as to how we might best complete the work. He is communicative and great at working with other colleagues. He works quickly and diligently and his outputs are always of the highest standard. I would highly recommend working with Alex."

Molly Carter | Executive Producer at plai

"My experience working with Alex was incredibly positive. His standard of work is excellent. He briefs very well, taking a deep understanding of the project, and will offer proactive suggestions as to how we might best complete the work. He is communicative and great at working with other colleagues. He works quickly and diligently and his outputs are always of the highest standard. I would highly recommend working with Alex."

Molly Carter | Executive Producer at plai

"Alex is an expert in animation and 3d design, incredibly competent, delivers amazing quality on time and was great to work with as part of a team on various projects. He is also brilliant at innovation and finding new more efficient ways to work."

Rob James | Senior 3D artist

"Alex is an expert in animation and 3d design, incredibly competent, delivers amazing quality on time and was great to work with as part of a team on various projects. He is also brilliant at innovation and finding new more efficient ways to work."

Rob James | Senior 3D artist

"Alex is a top talent. Super motivated, diligent and a master of his craft. Alex has demonstrated during his time at R/GA that he can craft and execute ideas to the highest of standards, lead a team and set the standards for large scale, global animation production. Alex has a solid technical understanding, a passion for R&D and will never settle for second best. I can't recommend him enough!"

Ben Lloyd | Experience Design at Apple

"Alex is a multi-faceted many-talented joy of an artist to work with. We've worked extensively together creating both real-time XR, and pre-rendered promotional and pitch assets. Alex has a rare combination of creative vision and integrity with technical problem solving abilities. He understands briefs and feedback and is always committed to understanding the assignment then executing to the highest standard. While he explicitly excels at 3D animation, his abilities in modeling, rigging, lookdev, and motion design mean that Alex is a critical part of a team from ideation through delivery."

James Dick | Executive Creative Director @ plai | Formerly R/GA, Framestore, Candy Digital NFTs

"Working with Alex is like suddenly gaining Super Powers. His artistic brilliance is matched by his technical brilliance. Every piece of work Alex has produced for us has been above and beyond, he never 4 settles for just "good enough", a true artist who also understands the very real world of production and delivery."

Chris Etches | CEO at plai

"Alex is an excellent animator, rigger and an artist. His attention to detail is beyond this world. He animates with limitless charm and builds rigs that enable animators to express themselves freely. He is a fierce creative who not only comes up with ideas, but has the tools to propel those ideas to launch. He is a diligent problem solver whose work ethic is one to be inspired by. I was lucky to have worked with him on several projects, and I can only hope to do so again."

Bora Demirbilek | Design & Creative Tech

I've worked with many talented creatives, but Alex stands out as one of the very best. He's not only an exceptional animator and designer, with a rare instinct for storytelling and detail, but also a generous, collaborative presence on any project. Working with him elevates the work and everyone around him.

Chris Houston-Lock | Senior Developer

"I had the pleasure of working with Alex. His animation ability is a joy to see. Always pushing the creative to the best it can possibly be. Open and willing to bring new ways of working into the mix. Super passionate about what he does. He produces at a really high standard. Great blend of technical and craft skills. I would recommend him highly. "

Darren Whitney | Head of Design at OddCommon

"My experience working with Alex was incredibly positive. His standard of work is excellent. He briefs very well, taking a deep understanding of the project, and will offer proactive suggestions as to how we might best complete the work. He is communicative and great at working with other colleagues. He works quickly and diligently and his outputs are always of the highest standard. I would highly recommend working with Alex."

Molly Carter | Executive Producer at plai

"Alex is an expert in animation and 3d design, incredibly competent, delivers amazing quality on time and was great to work with as part of a team on various projects. He is also brilliant at innovation and finding new more efficient ways to work."

Rob James | Senior 3D artist