Michael Swartz is a digital media artist whose expertise spans game art, character rigging, 3D animation, and digital fabrication. His career has evolved from graphic design to encompass a wide array of specialties within the visual arts, including UI/UX design, creature design, environmental design, as well as advanced lighting and rendering for TV, films, games, and virtual reality. Recently, he reconstructed historical artifacts for a virtual reality game exploring the construction of the Hoover Dam. He also digitally recreated the Valle de Bravo Lake region in Mexico for a grant-funded initiative aimed at visualizing the local water crisis for policymakers. His interactive virtual street tour of Abolition Row, created for the Black Spaces Matter project, is now on permanent display in New Bedford, MA. Currently, he is engaged in the “Tonewood” polymedia project, celebrating the diverse trees used in crafting musical instruments. Michael earned his MFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Departments
Art + Design
Education
- 2014 MFA, Computer Art, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
- 1998 BFA, Graphic Design (Minor in Art History), Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH
Awards
- 2021 Part of team awarded an NEA grant for creating a VR game about the Hoover Dam
- 2020 Official Selections, “Seed,” in the following film festivals: Trenton Film Festival, Mimo Milano Mobile Film Festival, So Limitless and Free Film Festival, Festival Photogenia
- 2007 Silver Award, Horizon Interactive Awards: Refunds for Good
- 2005 Emmy Award (Contributing animator), “Outstanding Children’s Program” for HBO’s Classical Baby Series (single-handedly produced the “Rectangles” short)
- 2004 Gold Place Winner, Horizon Interactive Award: Heineken Taproom
- 2004 Gold Place Winner, Horizon Interactive Awards: One Dove Place
- 2003 Best of Show, Horizon Interactive Awards: Campbell’s Soup Interactive