Daniel Mao
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
New York City, NY, United States
Toptal member since April 23, 2020
Daniel is passionate about crafting user-centered designs by leveraging strategic storytelling and impactful visuals and interactions. Over the past 10+ years, Daniel has developed enterprise-level digital products for leading companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Verizon. His approach integrates a strong understanding of user experience goals with a commitment to effective problem-solving, allowing him to create designs that are both visually appealing and highly functional.
Portfolio
Work Experience
Senior Motion Designer
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.
Motion Designer
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.
Motion Designer
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.
Product Designer
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.
Product Designer
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.
FX Technical Director
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.
Lead Motion Graphics Designer
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.
Motion Graphic Designer
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.
Education
Master of Fine Arts Degree in Animation and Visual Eects (VFX)
Academy of Art University - San Francsco
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Animation Technology
Communication University of China - Beijing
Skills
Tools
Maya, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe After Effects, InVision, After Effects CC, Autodesk Maya, RealFlow, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Figma, Spline, Origami, ProtoPie, Rive
Languages
HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Platforms
Adobe Suite, Android, iOS, Mobile
Industry Expertise
Entertainment & Leisure
Other
Visual Design, Motion Graphics, Animation Design, Logo Design, Motion Design, Over-the-top Content (OTT), Wireframing, TV UI, Mobile App UI, Storyboarding, Product Design, Presentation Design, User Flows, UI Motion, UX Design, 3D Design, Branding, Visual Effects (VFX), Mobile UX, UI Design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Voice Interface, Amazon Alexa, Smart Homes, AI Design, Interactive Prototypes, Video Streaming, Home Entertainment, Video on Demand (VOD), Art Direction, Food Ordering Platforms, In-app Purchases, Delivery Management, Social Sharing, Web Design, Graphic Design, Logo Animation, UI Specifications, Smart TV, Prototyping, Design Systems, User Interface (UI), Interaction Design (IxD), Interactive UI, Illustration, App UI, App UX
Experience
Tools
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