Daniel Mao, Designer in New York City, NY, United States
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Daniel Mao

Verified Expert  in Design

Designer

Location
New York City, NY, United States
Toptal Member Since
April 23, 2020

Daniel focuses on creating strategic storytelling and meaningful user-centric experience through visual design and animation. He's spent the last seven years building enterprise-level digital products for clients like Amazon, Intel, and Verizon, among others. Daniel balances both user experience and visual development mindsets by leveraging the deep expertise from his early career in 3D motion design.

Motion GraphicsAnimationVisual DesignLogo DesignTV UIAdobe Creative SuiteSketch3DUX DesignInVisionWireframingMobile App UIProduct DesignPresentation DesignUser Flows3D Animation

Portfolio

Work Experience

Senior Motion Designer

2022 - PRESENT
Comcast
  • Collaborated with the design team to build a motion system with component tokens for the Xfinity app.
  • Worked on rapid prototyping and motion experiments based on the visual designs.
  • Created motion design specs for the development implementation.
Technologies: Motion Design, Design Systems, Motion Graphics, User Interface (UI)

Motion Designer

2021 - 2022
Meta
  • Collaborated with the design team to build a motion system with shell-level component tokens for Meta's reality labs anonymous device.
  • Worked on rapid prototyping and motion experiments based on the visual designs.
  • Created motion design specs for the development implementation.
Technologies: Motion Graphics, Motion Design, Design Systems

Motion Designer

2018 - 2021
Amazon
  • Worked with the creative director from proof-of-concept directions to polished UI design.
  • Defined motion language and patterns and applied them on visual items and transitions for both the on-device experience and the companion mobile app.
  • Built UX motion prototypes for both decision-making and research purposes.
  • Delivered detailed design and motion specifications for engineering implementation.
  • Delivered code-based SVG animations for engineering implementation.
Technologies: Maya, Sketch, Adobe Suite

Product Designer

2014 - 2018
Verizon
  • Designed the UX/UI for Fios IPTV platform and its companion mobile app, from ideation to final launch.
  • Defined motion language and patterns and built UX motion prototypes for both decision-making and research purposes.
  • Worked with third-party content providers to regulate their content graphics for Fios UI accommodation.
  • Delivered detailed design and motion specifications for engineering implementation.
  • Created branding animations.
  • Built visual and motion designs for Verizon’s Go90 video app, launched in October 2015, which was followed with 2 million downloads and average of 30+ mins daily streaming.
Technologies: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Maya, InVision, Sketch, Adobe Suite

Product Designer

2013 - 2014
Intel
  • Designed UX and UI for Intel Media’s OnCue IPTV platform.
  • Built UX motion and interactive prototypes for both decision making and research purposes.
  • Designed content for key items featured in the UI.
  • Delivered detailed design and motion specifications for engineering implementation.
  • Made banding animations.
Technologies: CSS, JavaScript, HTML, Maya, InVision, Sketch, Adobe Suite

FX Technical Director

2011 - 2013
Charlex
  • Contributed CG simulations and 3D effects for 20+ TV commercials.
  • Worked directly with animators and lighters to build CG production pipelines.
  • Developed the concept and look with motion tests for the decision-making process.
  • Researched and developed fluid simulation in RealFlow. Sped up the process by creating customized presets and functionality.
Technologies: Adobe After Effects, RealFlow, Maya

Lead Motion Graphics Designer

2011 - 2011
Nailgun
  • Contributed to 10+ TV rebranding projects. Designed and created concept storyboard and motion graphics.
  • Managed the production team by creating pipelines for efficiency to fulfill tight schedules.
Technologies: Adobe Suite, Maya

Motion Graphic Designer

2009 - 2010
Freelance
  • Freelanced in multiple design and animation studios across San Francisco. Los Angeles, and New York City.
  • Specialized in concept and look development as well as motion graphics production for movie and TV.
Technologies: Adobe Suite, Maya
2007 - 2010

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Animation and Visual Eects (VFX)

Academy of Art University - San Francsco

2000 - 2004

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Animation Technology

Communication University of China - Beijing

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