In a new episode of This is My Job, we speak with Netflix’s Creative Director of Animation, Phil Rynda, who has successfully navigated from working as an industry artist to executive positions.
We asked Rynda about why he switched his career path, what qualities an artist should have to transition into management, how he finds creative fulfillment working as an executive, and advice that he can give to other executives for improving communication with artists.
A Primetime Emmy winner, Rynda played key creative roles on some of the most popular American series of recent vintage, including serving as production designer on Disney Television Animation’s Gravity Falls and lead designer on Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. He has also worked as a character designer on Chowder, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, The Venture Bros., and The Lego Movie.