Claire Birdwell

I’m a 3D character animator who loves bringing creatures and characters to life. I studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I honed my skills in Autodesk Maya and developed a love for bringing life and emotion to digital characters.

 

My inspiration began early, during the Disney Renaissance—the moment I realized that my drawings could come to life and tell stories. That spark grew into something greater after seeing Jurassic Park (1993), when I discovered the power of 3D animation to create believable, awe-inspiring worlds that blur the line between imagination and reality.
History also deeply inspires my animations, as I believe history is one of the greatest forms of storytelling. I am drawn to the power of hearing and sharing people’s stories, and animation allows me to bring those narratives to life for a wider audience. Through animation, I hope to create work that preserves emotion, perspective, and human experience in a way that feels engaging and accessible. Flee, directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, strongly encapsulates these interests. The film’s combination of historical narrative, personal memory, and animation demonstrated to me how animation can communicate deeply human experiences with emotional honesty while making complex stories more immersive and accessible to

​

Throughout my academic experience, I have had the opportunity to work as both a producer and animation lead on collaborative projects(Managers Not Here Man & Coya). These experiences strengthened my ability to communicate creatively and effectively, manage team workflows, and support a shared artistic vision throughout the production process. Working in collaborative environments has reinforced my understanding of animation as a team-driven art form and has helped me grow both creatively and professionally.

 

Today, I strive to capture the same sense of wonder in every project I take on, building worlds and performances that feel alive and connect deeply with audiences.