ABOUT ME

My name is Nico Smith, and I have been diagnosed with high-functioning autism at age three, as well as an inspiration to draw things and become an animator emanating from Disney and other video games, movies and TV shows. The autism gives me some communication difficulties, but it grants me a unique perspective, a keen eye to detail, a creative spirit, and a photographic memory, This in turn gives me many talents, among them being 2D artwork and animating, creating special effects and motion graphics, editing audio and video, and 3D modeling, rigging and animating. After graduating with a degree in Media Arts & Animation from The Art Institute of California - Sacramento, I have embarked on a wonderful journey in seeking employment within the animation business and showcasing my talents and positive attitude to a group of people having an equal amount of talent.

Thank for visiting my portfolio and viewing my greatest work, and I look forward to the opportunity to bring your stories and ideas to life with the same Disney wonder and magic that inspired me.

To see my full bio, click on this link here:
​ https://caregivingnetwork.com/blog/a-talented-artists-story/

EXPERIENCE

AutieReacts                                                                                                                                                                     
Motion Graphics Animator                                                                                                                                               April 2025
  • Used Adobe AfterEffects to create opening and closing sequences for a YouTube series that involves watching portrayals of autism in the media and determining their accuracy.

Educacion Diversa
Storyboard Artist / Animator                                                                                                                         March 2023 - present
  • Used Photoshop to draw out and animate storyboards that teach young children on the autism spectrum                    how to socialize and interact with people and handle social situations.
  • Demonstrated my work at a human rights conference in Canberra, Australia
 
Connect Media Networks
Video Editor / Motion Graphics Animator                                                                                         August 2022 - October 2022
  • Used AfterEffects and Photoshop to create an introduction video for a website that allows people to communicate their prayers around the world, learn the word of God, and watch church events online.

ExtendaTouch
2-D Animator                                                                                                                                                  May 2022- June 2022
  • Created a 2-D animation of a caregiver riding her horse to someone needing her help using Adobe Photoshop
  • Won the week’s caregiving video contest

Mental Mastery VR
3D Rigger                                                                                                                                                    March 2022 - May 2022
  • Used Autodesk Maya to create and rig a 3-D model of Tony Robbins, to be used in Unity for a program that deals with conversational circumstances not taught in school
 
A Book by Craig Balcomb
Freelance Artist                                                                                                                                                      September 2021
  • Drew some illustrations for the first chapter of his book in accordance with what is being written
 
“Beastars” Multi-Animators’ Project
2-D Animator                                                                                                                                                                 March 2020
  • 2-D animated a segment of a multi-animators’ project using Adobe Photoshop
 
Student Projects while Attending The Art Institute of California
Lead 2-D Animator, "Cosmic Commander"                                                                                        January 2015 - March 2015
  • Screened at the Crest Theater
Lead 2-D Animator, "Early Birds",                                                                                               October 2015 - December 2015
  • Screened at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
 
"Tesla v Edison: The Dagger"
Freelance Artist / Independent Contractor                                                                                  November 2014 - January 2015
  • Designed and digitally created Board Game Cards and Cover Graphics for “Tesla v. Edison: The Dagger” board game.
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Inclusion Films
Intern - Editor                                                                                                                                             July 2014 - August 2014
  • Chosen by the company to travel as part of a Film Team to film camps for developmentally disabled people in New Jersey and Michigan to film and document their experience. Duties included:
    • Organizing and stringing together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts and the instructions of the director and producer
    • Trimming film segments to specified lengths and reassembling segments in sequences that presented stories with maximum effect
    • Setting up and operating computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce the final product
    • Assisted with creating "Lights, Camera, Independence" Documentary which was awarded "The Audience Choice" Award at the Livermore Film Festival

AWARDS

  • ExtendaTouch Caregivers' Contest Winner                                                                                                        May 2022  "Caregivers to the Rescue"
  • Audience Choice Award, Documentary                                                                                                              May 2016  “Lights, Camera, Independence”                                                                                                                                        Screened at Livermore Film Festival
  • Best Alternative Animation                                                                                                                                   May 2015  7-Day Animation Challenge Short:   Inspiration